Refuge Malja ملجأ

by Bess Welden

Winner of the 2020 Tel Aviv Jewish Plays Contest and Finalist for the 2020 National Jewish Playwriting Contest. Fiercely independent Jewish-American photojournalist Jamie Winter meets refugee kids all the time, but when Waleed, a shoeless teenager steps off the boat and in front of her lens, she is suddenly forced to confront her own cultural identity, family history, a complicated past relationship, and the...

Winner of the 2020 Tel Aviv Jewish Plays Contest and Finalist for the 2020 National Jewish Playwriting Contest. Fiercely independent Jewish-American photojournalist Jamie Winter meets refugee kids all the time, but when Waleed, a shoeless teenager steps off the boat and in front of her lens, she is suddenly forced to confront her own cultural identity, family history, a complicated past relationship, and the undeniable compulsion to become the boy’s rescuer. Written in English and Arabic, the play explores motherhood, what it means to truly communicate across cultures and inside our own families, and how each of us defines and finds a home. Full productions will feature photographs by award-winning photojournalist Jodi Hilton.

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Refuge Malja ملجأ

Recommended by

  • David Winitsky: Refuge Malja ملجأ

    The Syrian Refugee crisis, literally haunted by the ghost of the Holocaust. This is what “Never Again Means Now” looks like onstage.

    The Syrian Refugee crisis, literally haunted by the ghost of the Holocaust. This is what “Never Again Means Now” looks like onstage.

  • Nancy Davidoff Kelton: Refuge Malja ملجأ

    Refuge Malja is poignant, beautifully written, and engaging from beginning to end. Bess Welden is a superb playwright. I love everything about this very fresh, original work. Bravo!!

    Refuge Malja is poignant, beautifully written, and engaging from beginning to end. Bess Welden is a superb playwright. I love everything about this very fresh, original work. Bravo!!

  • Donna Hoke: Refuge Malja ملجأ

    Everything you want in a work of art for the stage: theatrical, poetic, moving, and original.

    Everything you want in a work of art for the stage: theatrical, poetic, moving, and original.

View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Portland Stage Company, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Portland Stage Company, Year 2017
  • Type Residency, Organization Hewnoaks Artist Colony, Year 2017
  • Type Reading, Organization Maine Playwrights Festival, Year 2016

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Portland Stage Company, Year 2018

Awards