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Reviews
Reviews for: The Place I Return To
Moving Personal Tale from a Young Artist
Depression and poetry are well acquainted, while my experience with the latter is lacking. That said, I found this to be incredibly moving and well presented. Not the strongest delivery (or at least not what I would have expected given the material), but powerful all the same. I look forward to seeing that the artist does in the future.
HIGH RECOMMEND: Support an awesome, hopeful story
I've heard other audience refer to this as the 'depression show.' Yup, Abdimalik did suffer from depression, but the story is about him regaining hope.
We saw him at 10pm on Thursday, and found Abdimalik's show to be emotional and completely engaging as he sat alone, dressed in black, talking about his journey. He deserves a MUCH larger audience (fewer than 10 in the Thursday night audience). Last performance is Saturday night, and we hope you join him on his journey.
Real life
As an audience member with depression I found this piece really well observed and resonant, with some lovely insights and funny moments. Abdimalik captured the contradictions effortlessly. From reading the description I thought I might leave the show feeling sad, but I was bolstered by the experience instead -- I felt understood, and happy to encounter a strong new voice. Looking forward to following this artist's career.
Prayers of Prose and Pain-filled Poetry
Where does one go when one cannot face life, themselves, others, Allah or the Divine by any name? Abdimalik turns to the empty page and fills it with five years of prose and painfilled poetry between the ages of 18 through 22. Abdimalik takes us on a very personal journey of vulnerability with courage as he shares his words about living with depression, disassociation, suicidal ideation and more until he is eventually able to return to Muslim prayers and rituals. Opening night was his 22nd birthday! Welcome him into a wondrous 22nd year by filling the audience throughout the fringe! You won’t want to miss this one.
Deserves a bigger audience!
Abdimalik's amazing strength and vulnerability in the face of crushing depression comes through in his stories and poems. Opening night was his 22nd birthday and his voice needs to be heard by anyone facing emotional highs and lows. Or really anyone wanting to hear a stunning new voice. Highly recommended.
Ahead Of His Time
This man is ahead of his time. It’s been such a pleasure watching ABDIMALIK blossom as an artist. This young man is destined to change peoples lives through his work — I mean, he’s already doing it, right?
It’s no small feat for someone of his background to be so open and vulnerable. I say this as someone who shares Somali heritage with ABDIMALIK, and who has also been vulnerable through his art. I know just how hard it is for our people to accept the idea of a SOMALI MAN speaking in these ways about depression, grief, feelings of no longer wanting to be here.
Our people say they want our men to be more open, but when we do it, they don’t know how to take it. Regardless, I know how this tour de force performance hit me — right in the heart.
His words took me to my early twenties and reminded me of a time I’d long since forgotten. It was as if he was in my mind and heart, living a life that I had lived, expressing it so beautifully.
This story isn’t all sad, as there are many silver linings and pockets of joy to be found in it. No spoilers here, but what I need you to know is that if you didn’t catch this show… you missed something life changing.
I can’t wait to see what he does in the future and I am so grateful to call him a friend, a brother, a source of artistic inspiration.
Honestly and Truth Manifested
Abdimalik's prowess as a storyteller is nothing short of remarkable. His performance held an iron grip on the entire room, seamlessly transporting us across a five-year expanse of his narrative. With an unparalleled ability, Abdimalik painted emotions in such vibrant strokes that I found myself not merely observing, but experiencing them on a personal level. A symphony of grief, despair, sadness, and desperation coursed through my heart as Abdimalik's tale unfolded. Equally, when Abdimalik talked about his journey through faith, happiness and enjoying the little things in life, I was constantly being brought back to how it relates to me and my life.
The impact of the performance transcended mere excellence. Even now, a day later, I remain entranced by the lingering effects it has left on my soul, causing me to reflect deeply on my own life's trajectories. Departing from the Mixed Blood Theater, I carried with me a newfound contemplation of my formative teenage years and the enduring influence of those profound emotions, resonating powerfully as I journey through adulthood.
I wish this were showing longer so I could see it 10 times over.
Cast and Crew
Abdimalik Ahmed
Producer/Director/Writer/Lead
Abdimalik Ahmed is an actor and filmmaker in the Twin Cities, and he studies journalism at the University of Minnesota. Born in San Diego and raised all over the world, he became enamored with the stories that make each individual unique - and the ones that make us all the same.
On stage, in August 2022 he was Hamlet for the MN Fringe adaptation of Hamlet titled "A Little Water" on the Augsburg Mainstage. In July 2023, he worked with the same director, playing a male Tituba in her production of "The Crucible" at The Mounds Theater in St Paul. His solo show at Mixed Blood Theater titled "The Place I Return To" for the 2023 edition of the MN Fringe Festival is his first writing, producing, and directing work on the stage.
"Isn't This What I'm Supposed to Feel" was his film directorial debut, winning Best Performance at the University of Minnesota Film Festival, and selected at several short film festivals from the US to Brazil. On screen, he is featured on Apple TV+'s Little America, season 2 episode 4, titled "Camel on a Stick."
More Information
The seasons cycle, they slot back into the place they’ve always returned to, and Abdimalik finds himself back in his room every winter, processing the same feelings he was the winter before. We fall into patterns, we retreat into patterns, because they are a kind of home, they define who we are, for better or worse. So, stuck in his bedroom, Abdimalik takes on audio journaling when his emotions are too loud to contain and he has to speak them out loud. Through four journal entries across four winters in five years, we witness both the stagnation and the evolution of emotion as Abdimalik grows up between the ages of 18-21.
"The Place I Return To" explores Abdimalik's journey through depression, suicidal ideation, self-discovery, and his relationship with Allah. The show is adapted from my poetry and journals between 2019-2023.
