By Nabila Qureshi and Abdullah Omar Saif
Directed by Santiago Guzmán
July 18 - August 8, 2026
Directed by Santiago Guzmán
July 18 - August 8, 2026
About the ShowBINJA follows four animal friends —Puffin, Whale, Moose, and Polar Bear— on a journey of self-discovery in pursuit of a leader who will guide them to a super awesome future.
BINJA is a playful, heart-centered adventure that invites families and communities to celebrate environmental awareness, interspecies friendship, and the real leadership that lives inside us all. This 45 min Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) invites audiences of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on what community is like while embracing our differences, to examine our biases, and personal and collective growth through the magic of theatre. Written by Nabila Qureshi and Abdullah Omar Saif, BINJA was commissioned by Shakespeare by the Sea Festival. The first draft first took shape during the 2025 PARC (Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre) Playwrights' Retreat in Sackville, New Brunswick, and BINJA is pleased to have received continual dramaturgical support from our friends at PARC since its first draft. 
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Cast List
Crew List
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Playwright's Notes
Abdullah and I grew up with stories in which animals embark on magical quests in search of guidance, with pearls of wisdom awaiting them at the end—similar to Aesop’s fables from Ancient Greece. Our play bloomed once we had a heart-to-heart discussion about the beauty of the world and our desire to nurture it through storytelling that invites all, young and old.
Binja is inspired by a 12th century poem written by the Persian Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar who was also an inspiration behind Rumi’s poetry. While our play is inspired by Attar’s poem, its content and artistic elements are our own original creation. What we have written is a play that conveys its pan-cultural touchstones through animals as characters that are loved by many across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Animals as characters often mirror human experiences in ways that invite audiences to learn about dilemmas, cooperation, community, and environmental stewardship through compassion and mercy.
We believe a play such as this serves as a bridge between humans’ and the natural world’s intimate connection to each other.
We are grateful to my cousin Farhat Surti for inadvertently coming up with the name Binja thirty years ago. Many thanks to Arts NL's assistance, PARC's dramaturgical support, and all those who contributed to both the readings and the performances of the play. A special thanks to Santiago Guzmán and his production team for its world premier. And lastly, we are indebted to the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival for inviting us to write the play and for commissioning this work.
Binja is inspired by a 12th century poem written by the Persian Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar who was also an inspiration behind Rumi’s poetry. While our play is inspired by Attar’s poem, its content and artistic elements are our own original creation. What we have written is a play that conveys its pan-cultural touchstones through animals as characters that are loved by many across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Animals as characters often mirror human experiences in ways that invite audiences to learn about dilemmas, cooperation, community, and environmental stewardship through compassion and mercy.
We believe a play such as this serves as a bridge between humans’ and the natural world’s intimate connection to each other.
We are grateful to my cousin Farhat Surti for inadvertently coming up with the name Binja thirty years ago. Many thanks to Arts NL's assistance, PARC's dramaturgical support, and all those who contributed to both the readings and the performances of the play. A special thanks to Santiago Guzmán and his production team for its world premier. And lastly, we are indebted to the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival for inviting us to write the play and for commissioning this work.
Director's Notes
Dramaturging and directing Binja by Nabila Qureshi and Abdullah Omar Saif for Shakespeare by the Sea NL has been one of the highlights of my career.
The value of community has been the core while creating this play, rooted in fun, joy, and curiosity.
Not only is this a poignant story, but we have enjoyed every second of bringing it to life.
With our production, we hope to inspire little ones and not-so-little ones to reflect on the power of community and a reminder that our differences make us stronger together- all through the power of theatre!
Thank you to everyone who put this production together, and to you for joining us today. I hope you enjoy the show.
- Santiago Guzmán
The value of community has been the core while creating this play, rooted in fun, joy, and curiosity.
Not only is this a poignant story, but we have enjoyed every second of bringing it to life.
With our production, we hope to inspire little ones and not-so-little ones to reflect on the power of community and a reminder that our differences make us stronger together- all through the power of theatre!
Thank you to everyone who put this production together, and to you for joining us today. I hope you enjoy the show.
- Santiago Guzmán
Bios
Nabila Qureshi: Playwright
Nabila Qureshi seeks artistic approaches that excavate critical explorations of the self and the world, to deliver global stories that invite raw conversations around identity, politics, and culture. Binja (2026, directed by Santiago Guzmán for Shakespeare by the Sea Festival) marks her first collaboration with her husband Abdullah Omar Saif, who joins her as a co-playwright. The fable takes its characters and audiences on an incredible quest to find their true leader. Nabila’s theatre portfolio includes acting in, assistant directing, & co-writing ‘NewfoundLanded’ (2024, directed by Santiago Guzmán for Todos Productions & White Rooster Theater), a verbatim theatre play that explores the stories of immigrants, refugees, and newcomers making Newfoundland and Labrador their home. Nabila has apprentice dramaturged playwright Thiviya Kana’s ‘In Search of Mangoes’ (2025, Women’s Work Festival), and has, since 2016, participated in several stage readings for the Women’s Work Festival & Persistence Theatre (St. John’s), and PARC (Atlantic).
Abdullah Omar Saif: Playwright
Abdullah Omar Saif is an arts enthusiast, an avid reader, and an aspiring writer in St. John’s. He enjoys observing the quiet acts of courage, friendship, and love that unfold in our ordinary daily interactions. Binja is his first play, inspired by stories from his childhood, the books he loved growing up, and fictional characters he creates and shares with his wife and co-playwright Nabila. His spirit animal is a frog, and he believes the greatest contribution to society is the creation of public libraries, which he considers his sanctuary.
Santiago Guzmán: Director
Santiago Guzmán (he/they) is an award-winning playwright, dramaturge, performer, & director originally from Metepec, Mexico, calling Newfoundland and Labrador home. He is the artistic director of TODOS Productions & artistic director of Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. Selected directing credits include The New Canadian Curling Club, TourCO’s S.T.O.P. & Animal Farm, Seis Grados en Mayo [upcoming] (Neptune Theatre), NewfoundLanded, 76 Centimeters, Braiding Peonies (TODOS Productions), Aya and the Masquerades, The Tales of Dwipa (White Rooster Theatre), Saudade (Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador), City of Stories (Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland), and BINJA [upcoming] (Shakespeare by the Sea Festival - St. John’s). In 2019, Santiago was listed as an innovator in Atlantic Business Magazine's edition of 30 under 30: Newfoundland and Labrador. He was awarded the inaugural John Palmer Award in 2022 through the PGC for being a change-maker in the theatre industry with their advocacy in the arts regarding equity, diversity, and anti-racism. In 2023, he was inducted into the YWCA’s St. John’s Circle of Distinction with the Inspired Innovation Award for the same values.
Brian Amadi: Assistant Director *in partnership with CENTRA
Brian Amadi is a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and tattooist based in Newfoundland. With a background in political science, criminology, and public policy, Brian blends fine line tattooing, filmmaking, and painting to explore identity, belonging and social structure. He is the founder of Fawk Your Walls, Rebels at the Walls and The Art of Being Black. His work has been exhibited locally and internationally, including at The Rooms, rOGUE Gallery, and the Canadian Embassy in Portugal. A poet and advocate, Brian’s art bridges personal narrative with collective history, often using art as a tool for transformation, resistance and social cohesion. Ultimately, he aims to use his work to reflect the current systems of social organization.
Lisah Nsanzugwanko: Stage Manager
Lisah Nsanzugwanko is a multidisciplinary arts leader, theatre creative and filmmaker based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is one of the founding members of The Twiga Collective, where she designs and delivers community-based workshops and showcases that support artists in developing their practice and preparing for professional theatre opportunities. Lisah works across theatre, film, and arts administration, with a practice rooted in care, collaboration, and clear process. Whether it’s stage managing, producing, or coordinating programs, she is most interested in building spaces where artists feel supported, prepared, and empowered to grow.
Allison Clarke: Assistant Stage Manager
Allison is an actor, writer and all around theatre lover from Torbay, NL, currently studying for a BFA in Acting for Theatre at Concordia University in Montreal. After spending the past two summers performing with Shakespeare by the Sea, she is so excited to return this season as Assistant Stage Manager for Binja and, this time around, help bring the magic to life from behind the scenes.
Nabila Qureshi seeks artistic approaches that excavate critical explorations of the self and the world, to deliver global stories that invite raw conversations around identity, politics, and culture. Binja (2026, directed by Santiago Guzmán for Shakespeare by the Sea Festival) marks her first collaboration with her husband Abdullah Omar Saif, who joins her as a co-playwright. The fable takes its characters and audiences on an incredible quest to find their true leader. Nabila’s theatre portfolio includes acting in, assistant directing, & co-writing ‘NewfoundLanded’ (2024, directed by Santiago Guzmán for Todos Productions & White Rooster Theater), a verbatim theatre play that explores the stories of immigrants, refugees, and newcomers making Newfoundland and Labrador their home. Nabila has apprentice dramaturged playwright Thiviya Kana’s ‘In Search of Mangoes’ (2025, Women’s Work Festival), and has, since 2016, participated in several stage readings for the Women’s Work Festival & Persistence Theatre (St. John’s), and PARC (Atlantic).
Abdullah Omar Saif: Playwright
Abdullah Omar Saif is an arts enthusiast, an avid reader, and an aspiring writer in St. John’s. He enjoys observing the quiet acts of courage, friendship, and love that unfold in our ordinary daily interactions. Binja is his first play, inspired by stories from his childhood, the books he loved growing up, and fictional characters he creates and shares with his wife and co-playwright Nabila. His spirit animal is a frog, and he believes the greatest contribution to society is the creation of public libraries, which he considers his sanctuary.
Santiago Guzmán: Director
Santiago Guzmán (he/they) is an award-winning playwright, dramaturge, performer, & director originally from Metepec, Mexico, calling Newfoundland and Labrador home. He is the artistic director of TODOS Productions & artistic director of Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. Selected directing credits include The New Canadian Curling Club, TourCO’s S.T.O.P. & Animal Farm, Seis Grados en Mayo [upcoming] (Neptune Theatre), NewfoundLanded, 76 Centimeters, Braiding Peonies (TODOS Productions), Aya and the Masquerades, The Tales of Dwipa (White Rooster Theatre), Saudade (Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador), City of Stories (Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland), and BINJA [upcoming] (Shakespeare by the Sea Festival - St. John’s). In 2019, Santiago was listed as an innovator in Atlantic Business Magazine's edition of 30 under 30: Newfoundland and Labrador. He was awarded the inaugural John Palmer Award in 2022 through the PGC for being a change-maker in the theatre industry with their advocacy in the arts regarding equity, diversity, and anti-racism. In 2023, he was inducted into the YWCA’s St. John’s Circle of Distinction with the Inspired Innovation Award for the same values.
Brian Amadi: Assistant Director *in partnership with CENTRA
Brian Amadi is a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and tattooist based in Newfoundland. With a background in political science, criminology, and public policy, Brian blends fine line tattooing, filmmaking, and painting to explore identity, belonging and social structure. He is the founder of Fawk Your Walls, Rebels at the Walls and The Art of Being Black. His work has been exhibited locally and internationally, including at The Rooms, rOGUE Gallery, and the Canadian Embassy in Portugal. A poet and advocate, Brian’s art bridges personal narrative with collective history, often using art as a tool for transformation, resistance and social cohesion. Ultimately, he aims to use his work to reflect the current systems of social organization.
Lisah Nsanzugwanko: Stage Manager
Lisah Nsanzugwanko is a multidisciplinary arts leader, theatre creative and filmmaker based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is one of the founding members of The Twiga Collective, where she designs and delivers community-based workshops and showcases that support artists in developing their practice and preparing for professional theatre opportunities. Lisah works across theatre, film, and arts administration, with a practice rooted in care, collaboration, and clear process. Whether it’s stage managing, producing, or coordinating programs, she is most interested in building spaces where artists feel supported, prepared, and empowered to grow.
Allison Clarke: Assistant Stage Manager
Allison is an actor, writer and all around theatre lover from Torbay, NL, currently studying for a BFA in Acting for Theatre at Concordia University in Montreal. After spending the past two summers performing with Shakespeare by the Sea, she is so excited to return this season as Assistant Stage Manager for Binja and, this time around, help bring the magic to life from behind the scenes.
Gill Aylward: Polar Bear
Gill is ecstatic to be joining Shakespeare by the Sea this season and is honoured to be a part of the first stage production of Binja. A theatre kid all their life, this is Gill’s first time back on stage since graduating from Canterbury’s Performing Arts program nearly a decade ago. In their free time you can find them crocheting a colourful new garment or singing with Spectrum Queer Choir.
Sophia Beshai: Ensemble & Puffin (understudy)
Sophia is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Alongside her business background, she has a strong passion for acting, filmmaking, and storytelling. Sophia loves developing creative ideas, creating memorable characters, and bringing stories to life through film and other forms of media. Sophia values teamwork and enjoys collaborating with others to achieve shared goals and create meaningful and fun projects. She is always eager to learn, grow, and expand her experience in the creative industry while combining her creativity, communication skills, and collaborative mindset.
Arturo Cuevas: Moose
Arturo Cuevas is a Mexican-born actor based in Newfoundland since 2021. He began his stage journey in Mexico before expanding his craft in St. John's through ongoing workshops and local theatre projects, including Newfoundlanded. Active in the indie film community, Arturo has starred in several short films, including multiple 48-Hour Film Challenges. On television, he can be spotted in commercials and as a background detective on Saint-Pierre, alongside credits in Son of a Critch and Hudson & Rex. Arturo is thrilled to join the team at Shakespeare by the Sea.
Jay Ferrar: Whale
Jay Ferrar washed up in Newfoundland almost a decade ago, and hasn't gotten sick of it here yet. Arriving to do a BFa in Theatre Acting at Grenfell, things got thrown for a loop during COVID and they somehow ended up in St John's where they pretend they finished the degree. Jay has worked with SBTS for the last 5 years, starting as Menenius in Coriolanus (dir. Mallory Clarke), and they have no plans on stopping anytime soon. Please aim all tomatoes for the chest, as their face is the money maker.
Kerenhappuch Gandu: Great AUK, Ensemble & Mr.P (understudy)
Kerenhappuch Gandu is a multifaceted creative who enjoys playing with multiple layers of Art, Film & Theatre, with a background in Fine Arts from Grenfell Campus, MUN. Kerenh has worked on plays such as 'Beauty Beyond the Norms', and currently works as the Production Manager for Centra Cultural Collective.
Tzu-Hao Hsu: Puffin
Tzu-Hao Hsu (aka Sue with a T) is a proud Taiwanese-Townie. A business manager by day, tea hoarding dragon by night, Tzu-Hao traded all of her brain cells and personality for parenthood a few years ago, and is tiptoeing back towards exploring interests outside of The Boardroom, Bluey, and bread making.
Kabaso Wamunyima: Mr. P
Kabaso Natasha Wamunyima is a Zambian actor based in St. John’s, NL. Having recently made her acting debut, she has been actively participating in the local acting community and is excited to continue growing her experience in both theatre and film. Passionate about performance and creative expression, Kabaso is especially interested in exploring the many facets of storytelling, including collaboration, technical production, and the broader creative process. She brings curiosity, dedication, and a strong willingness to learn to every project she undertakes.
Gill is ecstatic to be joining Shakespeare by the Sea this season and is honoured to be a part of the first stage production of Binja. A theatre kid all their life, this is Gill’s first time back on stage since graduating from Canterbury’s Performing Arts program nearly a decade ago. In their free time you can find them crocheting a colourful new garment or singing with Spectrum Queer Choir.
Sophia Beshai: Ensemble & Puffin (understudy)
Sophia is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Alongside her business background, she has a strong passion for acting, filmmaking, and storytelling. Sophia loves developing creative ideas, creating memorable characters, and bringing stories to life through film and other forms of media. Sophia values teamwork and enjoys collaborating with others to achieve shared goals and create meaningful and fun projects. She is always eager to learn, grow, and expand her experience in the creative industry while combining her creativity, communication skills, and collaborative mindset.
Arturo Cuevas: Moose
Arturo Cuevas is a Mexican-born actor based in Newfoundland since 2021. He began his stage journey in Mexico before expanding his craft in St. John's through ongoing workshops and local theatre projects, including Newfoundlanded. Active in the indie film community, Arturo has starred in several short films, including multiple 48-Hour Film Challenges. On television, he can be spotted in commercials and as a background detective on Saint-Pierre, alongside credits in Son of a Critch and Hudson & Rex. Arturo is thrilled to join the team at Shakespeare by the Sea.
Jay Ferrar: Whale
Jay Ferrar washed up in Newfoundland almost a decade ago, and hasn't gotten sick of it here yet. Arriving to do a BFa in Theatre Acting at Grenfell, things got thrown for a loop during COVID and they somehow ended up in St John's where they pretend they finished the degree. Jay has worked with SBTS for the last 5 years, starting as Menenius in Coriolanus (dir. Mallory Clarke), and they have no plans on stopping anytime soon. Please aim all tomatoes for the chest, as their face is the money maker.
Kerenhappuch Gandu: Great AUK, Ensemble & Mr.P (understudy)
Kerenhappuch Gandu is a multifaceted creative who enjoys playing with multiple layers of Art, Film & Theatre, with a background in Fine Arts from Grenfell Campus, MUN. Kerenh has worked on plays such as 'Beauty Beyond the Norms', and currently works as the Production Manager for Centra Cultural Collective.
Tzu-Hao Hsu: Puffin
Tzu-Hao Hsu (aka Sue with a T) is a proud Taiwanese-Townie. A business manager by day, tea hoarding dragon by night, Tzu-Hao traded all of her brain cells and personality for parenthood a few years ago, and is tiptoeing back towards exploring interests outside of The Boardroom, Bluey, and bread making.
Kabaso Wamunyima: Mr. P
Kabaso Natasha Wamunyima is a Zambian actor based in St. John’s, NL. Having recently made her acting debut, she has been actively participating in the local acting community and is excited to continue growing her experience in both theatre and film. Passionate about performance and creative expression, Kabaso is especially interested in exploring the many facets of storytelling, including collaboration, technical production, and the broader creative process. She brings curiosity, dedication, and a strong willingness to learn to every project she undertakes.
