A one-woman show focuses on cultural identity

Qurrat Kadwani performs in the Claudia Crosby Theater.

In the Claudia Crosby Theater, the Troy Arts Council presented the one-woman show “They Call Me Q.” This performance was written and performed by Qurrat Kadwani.

Before the performance began, the International Student Cultural Organization (ISCO) greeted the incoming audience by giving out cookies and lemonade.

“You should come to events like this because there’s free stuff and you get to meet people that you don’t normally meet,” said Thomas Baker, a junior history major from Prattville, Alabama and ISCO member.

“They Call Me Q” has been performed in 38 states and over 226 times. This performance has added Alabama to the roster in her college tour. The show is an emotional comedy that follows the life of Qurrat “Q” Kadwani, as she plays 13 different characters. It tells her story, born in Bombay and growing up in the Bronx, New York, as she struggles with her cultural identity.

“I really enjoyed the connectivity with it as someone who was born here in America but grew up with a differently cultured home,” said Elias Molina, a freshman psychology major from Seale, Alabama. “It was hard finding my own place in America versus Puerto Rico.

“The story about Beenie I really connected with. I really felt the emotion on stage having her play these different characters.”

Qurrat Kadwani is an actress, performer and writer. She has starred in many famous television shows, such as Law & Order SVU, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Luke Cage and many more. “MARISOL,” her short film about undocumented immigration, was on HBO while “The Fifth of November,” which is her short film on gun culture, was in film festivals throughout the country winning many awards.

“I have always wanted to come to Alabama to perform,” Kadwani said. “I have performed in all the other southern states and Alabama was the one state I’d never come to, so it was so fulfilling for me to be invited here.

“Understanding what it means to be an American is important for everyone, especially Alabama, because Alabama is so rich with American history. I think it’s important for Troy’s students to know that no matter where they were raised or what their background is, their voices are important. Their story is important, they are important, they are appreciated and valued, and they’re not just a number in college, but truly who they are makes a difference.”

After Kadwani’s performance, she held a Q&A session allowing students and other audience members to share their thoughts and questions about her performance. She also gave out a recording of one of her past performances and business cards where they could contact her or check out her website for more information.

“The topic of diversity and multiculturalism, what it means to be an international student, it’s everywhere these days,” Kadwani said. “We have to unpack it without it being like a general statement and we need to see how this impacts people on the individual level.

“By seeing a show like mine, for example, or seeing anyone’s personal experience, whether it be music or art or theater, helps people understand that there’s a person connected to it.

There are people connected to these big topics that we hear about in our everyday society.”

More information about the show and Kadwani can be found on her website theycallmeqshow.com.

The calendar of events for the Troy Arts Council can be found at troyartscouncil.net/events.