Mission & history
Citation for Noor Theatre from Obie Jury: "Some people in this country want to build a wall to keep strangers out. Others want to open doors, to let us into their lives and keep us from being strangers to one another. The theater is a place where people can talk, and understanding can grow.
Noor Theatre is an Obie-winning company dedicated to supporting, developing and producing the work of theatre artists of Middle Eastern, Southwest Asian and North African descent.
Noor was founded in 2010 in order to serve these artists; we develop and amplify their voices for diverse audiences. As New York City’s only company with this mission, we provide an important space for MENA/SWANA voices to be heard. In doing so, we counter negative stereotypes, share nuanced work that reflects the unique perspectives of our artists, and ensure that our communities are represented and celebrated in the larger theatre ecosystem.