New City Teen Generating Awareness of Pakistani Schoolgirl’s Cause

Hannah Schwalberg decided to take on a new challenge after appearing in an Off-Broadway production of Drama League's Directorfest "No Such Cold Thing" at the HERE Theatre at the end of 2011.  The Clarkstown North High School junior played the role of Alya, a girl living in Afghanistan, and found the role challenging and compelling.  

“I was intimidated by my character at first, because I had never played a role as deep and complex as Alya,” explained Schwalberg. “I was used to playing funny, mature characters; Alya is serious and innocent.”  

In fact the experience moved her so that when she heard the story of Malala Yousafzi, the teenaged Pakistani girl who was shot in the head in October 2012 by the Taliban for attending school, Schwalberg decided to bring the production to her high school. The New City teen wants to raise awareness of Malala’s efforts to help girls in Pakistan and around the world, get an education. She plans to donate the proceeds of Friday night’s performance to The Malala Fund.  

“No Such Cold Thing” by Naomi Wallace tells the story of two teenage sisters in Afghanistan who are divided by the conflict and the American soldier who comes to understand their situation. The older sister in the play has moved to the West with her father while the younger sister and mother remain in Afghanistan.  

Schwalberg is directing and producing three classmates in the play. Casey Esbin is portraying Alya, the younger sister; Jillian Calero is playing the role of Meena, the older sister; and Jacob Kuhn appears as Sergio, the serviceman. All three of them also have prior acting experience.
   
Schwalberg said rehearsals began in April and the performers have had just about 10 opportunities to prepare for the dramatic reading using the theater at North.  

The 17-year-old is taking on a new role as producer and director.   “This is the first time I've ever directed or produced anything,” she said.

“Directing/producing is a totally new experience for me so it's a bit scary, although it is very exciting.”  

Schwalberg, who has performed in numerous productions and appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, expects theater will be part of her future.     

“I don't want to pursue theatre as a career, but I will definitely continue to keep it in my life as a hobby,” she said.  

The dramatic reading of “No Such Cold Thing” begins at 7 p.m. on Friday at Clarkstown North High School. Tickets cost $10 and will be sold at the door.