A co-presentation with Red Poppy Art House
ICU (I See You): A One-Woman Play
by Leyla Modirzadeh and Domenique Lozano
A New Threads Staged Reading
Red Poppy Art House and Golden Thread Productions proudly presents ICU (I See You), a one-woman theatrical reading written by Leyla Modirzadeh and Domenique Lozano, and performed by Bridgette Loriaux. Inspired by Iran’s 2022–2023 “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, ICU illuminates the events and human experiences of the uprising through the intersecting lives of five Iranian women.
ICU is a full-length play currently in development as part of Golden Thread’s New Threads Staged Reading Series. New Threads is Golden Thread’s annual staged reading series that engages its audience in the process of playmaking and allows writers of Middle Eastern and non-Middle Eastern descent an authentic and supportive space to develop work about the Middle East.
June 19, 2026 - June 21, 2026
Red Poppy Art House
2698 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Seating is extremely limited.
Written by Leyla Modirzadeh and Domenique Lozano
Featuring Bridgette Loriaux
The movement began after the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of Iran’s morality police, sparking nationwide protests led by women and girls demanding dignity, freedom, and basic human rights. What followed was one of the most significant protest movements in modern Iranian history and a brutal crackdown by the regime.
Because the events that inspired the work continue to resonate so deeply, the artists wanted to share the story with audiences now rather than wait for the play’s final production. Portions of the performance will be presented with scripts in hand as part of the play’s ongoing development process.
The title ICU operates on several levels. It references the intensive care units where injured protesters sought treatment. It declares “I see you”—the fundamental demand to be witnessed, recognized, and remembered. It also evokes the eye itself and the power of sight, which became a powerful symbol throughout the movement.
The play begins on a hopeful morning in the midst of the Women, Life, Freedom protests. From there, it follows the aftermath of a single day and night, tracing the lives of women whose futures are forever altered by the choices they make and the events they endure.
Through humor, resilience, grief, friendship, and extraordinary courage, ICU explores what it costs to demand your humanity—and what it takes to keep fighting for it. With some laughs.
Back Wall Artwork: BĀZ-TĀB (Reflection) by Sima Shahverdi.
Cast and Creative Team
Bridgette Loriaux
Actor
Bridgette Loriaux
Bridgette Loriaux is an award-winning actor, writer, director, choreographer, and movement artist known for her highly physical and visually inventive approach to storytelling. Her work includes the off-Broadway dance-theatre piece 2½ Breaths, award-winning productions for Marin Shakespeare Company, and movement direction for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at San Francisco Playhouse. Internationally, she has toured throughout Europe, South America, and Egypt, performed at the Beijing Olympic Games, and continues to develop innovative work as both a theatre artist and movement educator.
Domenique Lozano
Co-writer
Domenique Lozano
Domenique Lozano is a director, actress, vocal coach, and educator based on the West Coast. She has served as a Resident Artist with American Conservatory Theater and an Associate Artist with California Shakespeare Theater. Her directing credits include productions with Marin Shakespeare Company, ACT, UC Berkeley, TheatreFirst, and Southern Oregon University. As an actor, she has performed with Cal Shakes, ACT, Berkeley Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and numerous regional theatres across the country.
Leyla Modirzadeh
Co-writer
Leyla Modirzadeh
Leyla Modirzadeh is an Iranian-American artist, actress, and director. She has performed in theaters across the country including Cincinnati Playhouse, A Contemporary Theatre, The Group Theatre, Wisdom Bridge Theatre in Chicago, Speakeasy Stage in Boston, The Kennedy Center in DC, La Mama ETC and New York Theatre Workshop in New York. She was seen most recently at Indiana Repertory Theatre as Roya in English. In addition to her professional stage work, Leyla is known for her collaborations with renowned theatre artist Ping Chong. She has a BA in Humanities from UC Berkeley, MFA in acting from University of Washington.