Date of Award
Spring 5-2-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Theatre
First Advisor
Christine Scarfuto
Second Advisor
Emma Horwitz
Academic Program Adviser
Christine Scarfuto
Abstract
In a luxurious suburban glass house in Toledo, Ohio, tensions simmer within a fractured family on the brink of unraveling. Jawad, a 17-year-old Pakistani American, struggles with his identity and rejects the traditional path to college, much to the frustration of his father, Kamal, a businessman trying to juggle a demanding career and a complex family life. Kamal’s new wife, Ishraq, is caught in her own struggles with body image and the overwhelming pressures of her roles as a new mother and stepmother. Beneath the surface, an unsettling attraction brews between Jawad and Ishraq, further complicating the already strained dynamics. As the family grapples with unspoken desires, hidden resentments, and the ghosts of the past, the once-perfect home becomes a labyrinth of reflective surfaces that force each character to confront their inner truths. The play, a contemporary adaptation of Hippolytus, explores the destructive power of suppressed emotions and the inevitable collapse that occurs when individuals are trapped by societal expectations and personal insecurities. The architecture of the glass house—initially a symbol of transparency and openness—gradually deteriorates, mirroring the disintegration of the family's relationships. With each passing season, the façade cracks, and the characters are left to reflect on the choices that have brought them to this breaking point.
Recommended Citation
Alani, Mohammed A., "JAWAD" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/hc_sas_etds/1388
