Entsar "Star" Abdelrahman
Montaser Abdelrahman
Charlette Magdalena Marrero

Monisha Gurung
Julita Hatangerwa
Moise Jakobo
Iliana “Lali” Quilez-Torres

 


FIRST GENERATION ENSEMBLE BIOS 



Entsar "Star" Abdelrahman - 
I have been a part of the Performance Project family for nine years and I joined First Generation in 2021. I am an artist, a free spirit, a powerful young woman, and a believer in youth! I am also an optimistic and outgoing person. I dedicate my artistic work to The People. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


IMG 0347Montaser Abdelrahman - I am a First Generation ensemble member, and avid believer in the power of youth. I’ve been part of the Performance Project community for nine years, recently joining as a core First Generation ensemble member in 2021. I am also a visual artist and plan to pursue art as a profession. I dedicate this performance to our splendid audiences. I hope to leave footprints that will make everyone’s heart flutter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


unnamed 4Charlette Magdalena Marrero - I come from Holyoke, MA and I joined the Performance Project community in 2017. The first show I co-authored and performed in was Stand Tall, Mi Gente! I am a trans Latina, and one of many reconnecting Tainos. As a writer, mover and artist, I am committed to the liberation of young people through healing. I am currently pursuing creative writing, and performance art at Hampshire College. I am on the Board of Directors of The Performance Project and Collectivizing member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

unnamed 3Monisha Gurung -  My family is from Bhutan, but my homeland is Nepal. I was 13 when I came to the US. I joined First Generation last year. I love to dance and draw. We are very open in the ensemble and we share a lot. I would like to dedicate my performance to my mother. She taught me how to dance and also gave me my love for dance. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


julitaNamtangelwa “Julita” Hasani
- I am originally from Tanzania and Congo, I moved to  Springfield in 2016 when I was about 11 years old. I’m multilingual, and speak Kibembe, Swahili, and English. I became a core First Generation Ensemble member in 2021. First Gen is my second home, a place where I get to express my feelings and learn about other cultures, religions, and traditions. Also, a place where I get to be myself and I can say anything without being judged. My goal is to create performances and perform all around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG 20220801 WA0007Moise Jackobo - I come from Tanzania and it was a hard moment when we left our country. Now, I live in Springfield. I would like to send love to my family for their patience and support. I dedicate this performance to us, First Generation, because we worked hard to create it. 

 

 

 

 

 

unnamed 5Iliana “Lali” Quiles-Torres -  I joined First Generation in the spring of 2021. In addition to being a core ensemble member, I also mentored in our Ubuntu Arts Community in Holyoke. I’ve lived in Springfield all my life. I love to draw, paint, and learn new things. I want to dedicate our performance to all the people I love and care about. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Selected Performances 2000-present

First Generation and Performance Project Ensembles   

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Bunker Hill Community College, Boston
Augusta Savage Gallery - New Africa House, UMASS
American International College
Hampshire College – 2015 Social Justice Institute, Fo n’ ale 2013, Ripple Effect 2011
Springfield College, 2013 (Cultural Connections) 2013 (fo n’ale), 2011 (Ripple Effect), 2006 (Walk With Me),
Holyoke Community College 
Amherst College - Ko Festival of Performance 2010, 2014 
Springfield Technical Community College 
Bowker Auditorium UMASS
Westfield University 
Mount Holyoke College 
The Elms
Holyoke Community College
Trinity College, Hartford, CT

 

HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Holyoke High School
Commerce, Central, and Renaissance High Schools, Springfield 
Lt. Clayre P. Sullivan School, Holyoke 
Turners Falls High School 
Northampton High School
Westfield Youth Service Center 
Chestnut Academy 
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School
Peck Middle School
Upward Bound 
Rebecca M Johnson School 
Brattleboro High School, Brattleboro, VT

 

PROFESSIONAL THEATER FESTIVALS
Ashtar International Youth Theater Festival 2021, Palestine (virtual) 
Revolutions International Theater Festival, Albuquerque, NM  - 2005, 2014, 2017
Ko Festival of Performance, Amherst, MA - 2011, 2012, 2016

 

THEATERS
School of Contemporary Dance and Thought
Northampton Center for the Arts 
Shea Theater, Greenfield, MA 
City Stage,  Springfield, MA
Academy of Music, Northampton, MA 
Northampton Center For the Arts
Thornes APE 3rd Floor Performance Space, Northampton, MA 

 

PRIVATE PERFORMANCES
Regional Employment Board, Springfield, MA 
Peace Corps Gathering in private home, Springfield, MA

 

CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS
2021 Online Great Labor Arts Exchange (Virtual) 
NAMEN (North American Men Engage) Conference- “Intersectionality And Decolonization” 
Evolve Without Borders: An Intergenerational Gathering of Global Theater Artists
6th International Digital Storytelling Conference, UMASS 
Annual Healthy Men And Boys Summit, Holyoke Community College
Youth Leadership Forum “Healthy Men And Boys” Treehouse Community 
Pa’Lante! A panel Presentation Celebrating Local Latina/o Activism- Amherst College 
YES! Youth Conference, Basketball Hall of Fame
Mass Cultural Council Event, Wistariahurst Museum, Holyoke 

 

COMMUNITY
Springfield Citywide Virtual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Communities That Care Presentation, Performance Selections and First Generation Panel, Greenfield Cable TV
Department of Youth Services Annual Showcase, Boston
The Care Center, Holyoke, MA
Chicopee TV Studio
New England Public Radio Springfield Grand Opening 
Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival 2014, 2016 
Flash Mob, Downtown Springfield 2014
Campaign Nonviolence 2014 - September 21st Street Performance, Springfield
Paul Robeson Social Justice Conference, Boston
Edwards Church Northampton
Unitarian Society, Amherst 
Hampshire Jail and House Of Corrections 
South Congregational Church 

 

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Amplify Youth Voices! An International Livestream Workshop, North America MenEngage (NAMEN)
2021 virtual NAMEN Round Table for International audience
Springfield College Dance Department
The Care Center, Holyoke, MA
Upward Bound, Northfield Mount Hermon (2x)
Youth Action Coalition, Amherst
Springfield Public Library
Our Place' Holyoke Shelter 
Smith College
Hampshire College
University of New Mexico Theater Department
High Meadows Youth Facility, CT
Student Bridges of UMASS
Woolman Hill Quaker Center
Hope and Inspiration Performing Arts Festival, Roxbury Community College, Boston 
WW Johnson Life Center Youth Program
Springfield Substance Abuse Forum
DYS Westfield Youth Detention Center
Gateway Regional Middle school
Franklin County Youth Action Corps
River Valley Academy, Holyoke, MA
Marlboro College (video, lecture, discussion)
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 
California College of Arts & Crafts
Hampshire Jail and House Of Corrections 

 

CO-SPONSORED EVENTS
Nepali/Bhutanese Cultural Festivals #1 and #2