The Kingfisher’s Wing: The Story of Badíʻ

A New Dress for Mona originated as a Senior Capstone Assignment, then transformed into something greater. The play, written by Mark Perry, is based on the true story of a young martyr: Mona Mahmudnizhad. Mahmudnizhad was a 17-year-old girl unjustly executed in Iran for her religious beliefs. After the production debuted at the Plano Bahá’í Center in Summer 2023, the cast was met with tears and standing ovations. Soon after, the team received a plethora of invitations to perform in other cities, which eventually led them to the Houston Bahá’í Center, the Austin Bahá’í Center, and the Coppell High School Ninth Grade Campus. After concluding this incredible journey, our team has been eager to start a new project, channeling the same passion and dedication that made A New Dress for Mona such a profound and moving experience for audiences across Texas. With that being said, we are proud to announce our next production: The Kingfisher’s Wing: The Story of Badíʻ, written by William T. George of Kingfisher's Theatre and directed by Anisa Hosseini.

The Kingfisher's Wing is based on the true story of the martyrdom of the youth, Aqa Buzurg, in the mid-1860s. His father, the elderly Haji Abdu'l Majid, is a devout Bahá'í, whereas Aqa Buzurg holds to the family's Islamic traditions. The father and son suffer the usual intergenerational problems, but slightly more exaggerated and in certain instances reversed, as it is the older who has embraced the new, and the younger who is still grappling with the frustrations of the old. The youth is eventually converted to his father's beliefs, travels to meet Bahá'u'lláh, and is so passionately inflamed with love for this charismatic Figure that he takes on the dangerous task of delivering a letter to the corrupt and all-powerful King, Nasiri'd Din Shah. Aqa Buzurg, now called Badíʻ, the Wonderful, by Bahá'u'lláh, travels the 1,600 miles on foot to deliver His Lord's letter.

We believe in the power of storytelling to move hearts, inspire change, and bring communities together. But the truth is, our ability to share these stories depends on your support. Every contribution you make helps cover essential production costs, allowing us to bring The Kingfisher’s Wing to life and continue sharing these important narratives with audiences like you. Whether large or small, your donation is a direct investment in the arts and in the stories that connect us all. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us and helping us keep the magic of theater alive.

To read more about A New Dress for Mona, click here.