This article, drawing on the framework of postcolonial theory, analyzes the play “Ten Acrobats in an Amazing Leap of Faith” by Yussef El Guindi. The primary aim of the study is to examine the representation of cultural identity among Arab immigrants and to explore their strategies of resistance against the process of “othering” in the host society. The theoretical foundation of the research is grounded in Homi Bhabha’s concepts of “cultural hybridity” and the “Third Space,” as well as Edward Said’s theories of “representation” and “Orientalism.” The study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology based on a critical reading of the text. The findings reveal that El Guindi, through a polyphonic narrative structure, creates fluid and multifaceted characters who renegotiate their identities amid linguistic, cultural, and generational tensions. The play transcends media stereotypes and articulates the voice of the immigrant from within the lived experience, transforming the stage into a site of discursive resistance. This work is not only a reflection of diasporic life but also a model of postcolonial theatre and cultural resistance against dominant Western narratives.



The findings reveal that El Guindi utilizes a polyphonic narrative structure to depict the identity tensions of migrants not as an insurmountable crisis, but as a productive site for the formation of agency and cultural resistance. By destabilizing binary constructs of identity, the play creates a space for the emergence of new meanings of the “self” in relation to the “other.” This reconfiguration challenges hegemonic cultural narratives and underscores the agency of migrant subjects in negotiating their place within a diasporic context. Consequently, Ten Acrobats occupies a significant position within Middle Eastern-American migrant literature, contributing to the broader discourse on postcolonial identity formation. The play’s innovative approach to hybrid identities not only enriches the literary canon but also offers critical insights into the complexities of cultural belonging and resistance in an increasingly globalized world. Through its layered exploration of identity, the play reaffirms the transformative potential of migrant narratives in reshaping cultural and social imaginaries.