support
Noor Theatre Speaks with the Wall Street Journal
A few days ago, Nancy, Lameece and myself had the opportunity to sit down with Anna Louie Sussman of the Wall Street Journal. It is interesting how recent events in the Middle East have changed and shaped the questions asked.
12/5 HIGHLIGHT: Denmo Ibrahim’s BABA
We are excited to present Baba, a wildly unexpected story of love and forgiveness between a daughter and the memory of her estranged Egyptian father. As she embodies his last crucial moments in the U.S. waiting for a passport, she realizes – through literally being in his shoes – why kidnapping his child was the only solution left. Hailed by nytheatre.com as “stunning and revelatory,” Baba and this exciting new artist are not to be missed!
Check out our Latest Newsletters!
more >
11/14 HIGHLIGHT: Betty Shamieh’s THE STRANGEST
Our November HIGHLIGHT reading is The Strangest, written by Betty Shamieh and directed by May Adrales. Set in French Algiers, THE STRANGEST is an absurdist murder mystery infused with elements of Middle Eastern oral storytelling traditions and dance. Three Algerian brothers – an artist, a shoemaker, and a thief – vie for the love of the same woman. Their bitter rivalry ends with one brother being inexplicably shot down on a beach by a French stranger in a random act of violence that none of the characters could expect.
9/19 HIGHLIGHT Reading: I am Yusuf, and This is My Brother
Our first HIGHLIGHT reading of 2011 is My Name is Yusuf, and This is My Brother, written by Amir Nizar Zuabi and directed by Erin Mee. It is set in January, 1948 as the British Mandate ends, and a new era begins for the state of Palestine. Amidst the chaos, two brothers — the passionate one carrying an unrequited love for the village beauty and the simple one striving to keep their love alive — discover how war transforms their village and makes them refugees from life as they knew it.
Noor Theatre Submission Policy
Noor Theatre accepts full-length new plays by writers of Middle-Eastern descent. Noor Theatre is interested in the diverse perspectives of writers of Middle-Eastern descent, whether the plays are Middle-Eastern themed or otherwise.
Previously unproduced plays will be considered for upcoming programming including the fall reading series, Highlight, as well as possible special events, workshops and commissions.
Include the following with each submission:
- A bio and/or resume, production or development history if applicable;
- For non-agent submissions, a letter of recommendation from a theatre professional.
Please allow four to six months for a response. Noor Theatre accept scripts and all materials by email to nancy@noortheatre.org. Hard copies of scripts with attachments are accepted, but will not be returned. You may send them to the following address:
Noor Theatre – Submissions
PO Box 1063, New York, NY 10276
6/20 You’re Invited! Our one year anniversary…
Summer Solstice B-day Bash
Join us once again on the rooftop of The Delancey as we celebrate turning one. Come raise a glass to this amazing community of artists!
WHEN:
Monday, June 20th
WHERE:
168 Delancey Street (between Clinton & Attorney)
TIME:
6:30-8:30 on the lush rooftop for cocktails & snacks
8:30-11p in the downstairs lounge for live music and DJ!
WHAT:
Delicious eats from Damascus Bakery & Tanoreen,
Two-for-one drinks,
Raffle prizes including passes to the Bonarroo Arts & Music Festival, tickets to the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park, and a round trip flight on JetBlue,
Sweet spins by DJ Seif Hamid,
And a special appearance by a beloved singer and her band!
$25 Suggested Donation
6:30-8:30 on the lush rooftop….. 8:30-11:00 in the sultry lounge for live music
more >3/26: Noor Presents Shohreh Aghdashloo in Persian Arts Festival
Join us for a benefit, concert-style reading of Our Sweet Life by the Pacific Ocean, by Houshang Touzie, starring Emmy Award-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo and Touzie himself.
For the first time in English! From the acclaimed writer, producer and actor, Houshang Touzie, comes the hilarious story about an Iranian man struggling to provide for his family, revive the passion in his marriage and communicate with a rebellious son raised far from what once was “home.” Directed by Shidan Majidi and produced by Noor Theatre and Persian Arts Festival, this is an event not to be missed.
more >Shohreh Aghdashloo Celebrates Nowruz on VOA
Noor Theatre wants to wish all those celebrating the Persian New Year a joyful and prosperous Nowruz!
As you may have heard, Noor Theatre is fortunate to have the support of Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo and the playwright Houshang Touzie. She celebrated the New Year and first day of spring by performing for her home country via radio on Voice of America, VOA. Below is an excerpt from the article and a link to the whole piece.
Iranian-born Shohreh Aghdashloo says, “I am thrilled that after so many years, and thanks to Voice of America, I am fulfilling my dream of performing in front of my compatriots in Iran – it is thrilling that millions will be watching live.”
more >December HIGHLIGHT: Fit for A Queen by Betty Shamieh
FIT FOR THE QUEEN: A TRAGICOMEDY is inspired by the life of Hatshepsut, a woman who ruled as a pharaoh in ancient Egypt. Under the guidance of Senenmut, her female lover, Hatshepsut usurps the throne from her son-in-law and finds herself at odds with an unexpectedly ruthless rival for power – her daughter. A play of intrigue, farce, and sexual politics.
BETTY SHAMIEH’S off-Broadway premieres are The Black Eyed (New York Theatre Workshop), The Machine (Naked Angels), and Roar (The New Group), which was selected as a New York Times Critics Pick and is currently being taught at universities throughout the United States.
more >3/25: Drop by DIWAN: A Forum For the Arts
Noor has been invited to participate in the 4th Annual Diwan Conference, sponsored by the Arab American National Museum. This convergence of artists and scholars examining the state of Arab American art will take place at The CUNY Graduate Center in NYC on March 25th & 26th
more >November HIGHLIGHT: The Hour of Feeling by Mona Mansour
In 1967, fueled by a love of English Romantic poetry, a young Palestinian academic, Adham, and his new wife, Abir, take a trip to London where he will deliver a career-defining lecture. While the situation in his home country deteriorates and his marriage threatens to dissolve, Adham confronts his fear of failure and the reality that he may be an outsider no matter where he goes.
October HIGHLIGHT: Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes by Yussef El Guindi
In this outrageous comedy, set in a Hollywood agent’s office, Ashraf, an out of work actor, faces the biggest role of his career and the greatest challenge to his personal ideals. Don’t miss this chaotic romp!
Yussef El Guindi’s most recent productions include Language Rooms (Wilma Theater), Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes (Golden Thread Productions/ InterAct Theater/ Kitchen Dog Theater/ Theater Schmeater) and Our Enemies: Lively Scenes of Love and Combat (Silk Road Theatre Project). His plays, Back of the Throat, as well as Such a Beautiful Voice is Sayeda’s and Karima’s City, have been published by Dramatists Play Service. The latter one-acts have also been included in The Best American Short Plays: 2004-2005, published by Applause Books in 2008. His play Ten Acrobats in an Amazing Leap of Faith, is included in Salaam/Peace: An Anthology of Middle-Eastern American Playwrights, published by TCG, 2009.
more >September HIGHLIGHT: Forgotten Bread by Sevan K. Greene
Our September Highlight featured Sevan Kaloustian Greene‘s (pictured at right) Forgotten Bread, directed by Johanna McKeon. It is the touching and sometimes humorous journey of a Lost Son trying to discover his family’s past and reclaim his identity in this scene cycle of life, death, and survival about the Armenian Genocide using family history, survivor testimonies, and eye witness accounts.
more >Noor Theatre Launch a Smashing Success!
We owe our community huge thanks for making our launch party such a memorable event. Nearly 150 people arrived in celebratory summer style to show their support for Noor Theatre—from actors, comics and writers to the artistic staff of New York Theatre workshop and members of the press.
Betty Shamieh: Support Artists, They are Changemakers!
I was elated to read about playwright and friend Betty Shamieh’s recent address to the ADC. Her speech served as a call to the Arab community to support its artists. And by support she didn’t mean just money (though trust me, artists definitely need that too!) She spoke of parents encouraging kids’ dreams to become artists and entertainers, and to see the value in those dreams. We echo that sentiment. A big part of why we exist is a firm belief that arts and entertainment are a surefire way to change the dialogue in many arenas, not just the cultural one.
more >Ready to Launch! Join us on June 21st.
On the 21st of June, please join us as we officially launch Noor Theatre. That day marks the beginning of summer, and the start of our company. Come down to the Lower East Side, where you will find a rooftop oasis of palm trees and party people! We have been slowly getting the word out [...]
more >The 7th Annual NY Arab American Comedy Festival
Next week, come down to 3LD Arts Center downtown to see a bunch of really funny Arabs doing what they do best — I mean comedy, by the way — at the 7th Annual Arab American Comedy Festival! As always, there will be Stand Up from your favorites like Dean Obeidallah, Maysoon Zayid and Aron Kader, a night of emerging comics and a great bunch of sketches from new writers in the community! On Saturday, May 8th, check out the dirty late night “Haram Show” at 11:15PM. And if you missed anything from the Festival, come to Sunday night’s Best of the Festival show, featuring a sampling of our best sketches, stand up comedians and short films!
Motherhood Outloud
Last weekend, we enjoyed Hartford Stage’s presentation of Motherhood Out Loud, featuring a new short play by our Artistic Director, Lameece Issaq, called Nooha’s List. Any opportunity to give a shout out to the mothers and maternal figures in our lives who influence and love us and guilt us should be celebrated. And what better way than in a great regional theatre with some of our favorite writers, such as Leslie Ayvazian, David Cale, Jessica Goldberg, Beth Henley, Lameece Issaq, Lisa Loomer, Michele Lowe, Brett Paesel, Marco Pennette, Theresa Rebeck, Luanne Rice, Adriana Trigiani, Annie Weisman, and Cheryl West. The performers include such luminaries of the stage as Randy Graff, Amy Irving, James Lecesne, and April Yvette Thompson.
more >Noor Theatre Mentioned in the NY Times!
Well, kind of. By way of a wonderful feature in the Arts Section on Palestine, the one-woman show by Najla Said, in previews at the Fourth Street Theater of New York Theatre Workshop. Najla is longtime friend and colleague and she kindly shared some of her spotlight with Noor co-founder Lameece Issaq. The thoughtful and complimentary piece neatly illustrated why supporting story tellers of Arab backgrounds is so very important. Please check out the article, and definitely go see Najla’s wonderful show.
more >Welcome to the Noor Blog!
Ahlan wa sahlan, welcome, khosh amadid, salam, wassup? Well done- you have found the Noor blog. You may have gathered, Noor means light, and we intend to use this blog to shine a bright light on the burgeoning artistic community of Middle Eastern descent. Check back regularly for our thoughts, news, reviews, and exciting announcements about Noor Theatre and the wider community. If you have an event for us to spotlight, please email us directly- just use the contact form on the site. We can’t promise to cover everything, but we can try. Let us know how we’re doing by leaving a comment.
more >