Interview with Margaret Mahdi, Owner of the Mahdi Theatre Company

 Photo credit: Margaret Mahdi

 Reading time: 15 Minutes

In this powerful and inspiring business spotlight interview with my beautiful sister, Margaret Mahdi, who is a playwright, producer, and director, she discusses with me the inspiration, history, mission, purpose, and creation of her very own theatre, Mahdi Theatre Company. In our interview, she talks about how in 2016, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan provided closing remarks at her first historical performance, at the Chicago Theater, selling out 3,355 seats. In addition to that, she shared some exciting news about how Bronzeville the Musical is going to the Apollo Theater on November 16th-17th, 2024. 

Nadine Muhammad: Please, would you tell our readers about yourself? 

Margaret Mahdi: Thank you, my beautiful Sister, Nadine, and your staff for having me. We thank Allah (God) for the opportunity to be featured in your business spotlight blog.  

I am a student of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, under the direct tutelage, Divine Guidance of His Servant, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Born and raised in the Nation of Islam, I graduated from Muhammad University of Islam, and my life of purpose and mission took flight! 

I am a playwright, producer, and director. I enjoy telling stories!  I love black stories. Everyone has a unique story to share and to tell. Allah (God) has inspired us to tell our stories to uplift, motivate, and inspire our people. With His Grace, we have been commissioned to create, write, and perform thought-provoking and intriguing stories about our people.  I am also a retired teacher from Chicago Public Schools, having the esteemed pleasure and blessing of teaching our children for nearly 20 years.  

Nadine Muhammad: Share with us the story behind the creation of Mahdi Theatre Company: the inspiration for starting, history, mission, and purpose. 

Margaret Mahdi:

Inspiration: We were inspired to create Mahdi Theatre Company, after graduating from Northern Illinois University. As a young, Muslim, black woman aspiring actress, I knew that the acting roles did not portray decency, respect, and noble women of character. Being inspired by Our Teacher, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, and striving to be obedient to His directives, a group of friends and I began the mission to open Our Own, theater company. We are the owners of our narratives, our characters, and our plays. So, we didn't have to wait for anyone to create a role for us; we created our own roles, and have the power to perform in our own plays.  

History: We opened the Mahdi Theatre Company in 2004. At 23, we have been working ever since. Blessed to perform and produce our own plays in modest hallways to the largest stages in Chicago, Mahdi Theatre Company is comprised of committing our gifts and talents to excellence by fostering artistic programming, scholarship funding, and thought-provoking and spiritually uplifting productions for all to enjoy. 

Mission: We Educate, Elevate, and Entertain through the performing arts by presenting world-class plays. We are a positive group of creative and innovative teachers and facilitators, who teach and train aspiring and professional actors, dancers, singers, and other performing artists as a whole.  Collectively, as a community of diligent, competent, and professional educators and artists, we use our God -Given talents to infuse a Cultural Revolution in the Arts. 

Purpose: We, foster, promote, and increase the Public's knowledge and appreciation of the Performing Arts through cultural activities and community theater in Chicago first, then nationwide and globally, through the means of musicals, concerts, and dramatic plays. 

Photo credit: Margaret Mahdi

Nadine Muhammad: Tell us about your Mahdi Training School that is offered to the community. 

Margaret Mahdi: We incorporate the 'community' in our productions' framework; we welcome the uniqueness of all artists, and we pride ourselves on our ethical representation.  Our professionalism, respect for the artistic community, moral code of conduct, and the caliber of productions we present make us distinctively unique. The community supports our collective efforts.  

Nadine Muhammad: What is Bronzeville the Musical, and how can we help sponsor this project?

Margaret Mahdi: As a theater community, we have been commissioned to present a radical, courageous, and engaging story that honors the rich legacy of our city, Chicago, historically and now presently. Black migrants built this culturally rich city. The story has to be told. Our ancestors migrated from the rural racist South to an even more brutally racist city. They migrated to a thriving, yet secular community, Bronzeville. A community, which was the catalyst for black life, creative endeavors, and innovations. Black people are the heartbeat of Chicago and all cities in North America. 

Photo credit: Margaret Mahdi

Bronzeville the Musical is about a family's Love, a father's redemption, faith, legacy, and Courage of a people, as it honors the significance of our history and its "role" in preserving our community.  

Sponsorship is a great need, help us effectively produce a winning, spectacular production. A Big dream, with a large cast, professional musicians, and talent costs, and the budget is enormous. We seek support.  Please email margaret.mahdi@mahditheater.com. We are praying for our Destiny Helper, to assist us with accomplishing our mission, which is to provide the musical its' Best, all the bells and whistles, like that of a functioning, live, Broadway production. Thank you for your consideration and interest.

Photo credit: Margaret Mahdi

Nadine Muhammad: Share with us the value that the community will obtain from attending one of your performances. 

Margaret Mahdi: Theater has an influential impact on society. It provides audiences the opportunity to embrace the human spirit through emotions, connectivity, and imagination. Bronzeville's Musical message is critical to our youth's social and emotional wellness. We believe this colorful, soulful, and original musical will positively transform, ignite, and resonate with all people, from diverse walks of life. This play will awaken the Soul of Chicago and the spirit of humanity across the globe. The Blackman's history is a universal history!

Photo credit: Margaret Mahdi

Insha’Allah, we will be taking Bronzeville to Apollo Theater, on November 16th-17th. This is another historical moment. In 2016, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, provided closing remarks at our first historical performance, at the Chicago Theater, selling out 3,355 seats. It was at that moment, that Allah (God), His Christ, and Messiah showed us, that we, Muslims, are Rising to the top of Civilization with OUR Artistic Expressions. The Minister, placed His stamp of Approval on our works, by Allah's Grace. Now, we are moving into the next phase of our creative endeavors. 

Photo credit: Margaret Mahdi

My sister, THANK YOU for this opportunity to allow me to share a few words. I pray what I said was inspiring and touched someone's heart. May Allah (God) continue to Bless you, and your mission!  

Nadine Muhammad: Yes, my sister! You certainly did touch my heart, and you are welcome. I thank God for this golden opportunity to interview you for our business spotlight series. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your inspiring story behind Mahdi Theatre Company. 

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Nadine Muhammad has a Master of Science in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. She is the owner of an online bookstore Nation's Products and NLM Economic Development Services. For a consultation with business plan writing or developing an economic development strategic plan for your community send an email to nlmeconomicdevelopmentservices@gmail.com 

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