Columbia University School of the Arts presents ألف ليلة وليلة The Thousand and One Nights, a directing thesis production by current student Ghina Fawaz.

Many years ago, a story was stolen from the land of people who named the stars. In this adaptation of ألف ليلة وليلة (The Thousand and One Nights), this epic tale is reclaimed as an act of resistance. A bitter King betrayed and consumed by vengeance, takes a new bride each night, only to execute her at dawn—until the brilliant and courageous Scheherazade steps forward. For 1001 nights, she weaves a tapestry of tales, awakening the King’s humanity and transforming his heart. Through oral tradition, poetry, puppetry, movement, and music, this production blends Arabic folklore with contemporary stories, confronting the realities of colonialism and celebrating the resilience of Indigenous communities around the world.

Showtimes

Thursday, February 6 @ 8pm
Friday, February 7 @ 8pm
Saturday, February 8 @ 2pm
Saturday, February 8 @ 8pm
Sunday, February 9 @ 2pm

Run Time

101 minutes

Content Warning

This production includes narrative descriptions of violence, death, discrimination, and colonialism.