About Me
My Story
In 2011, as an Egyptian citizen, I was in the streets of Cairo protesting as part of the Arab Spring. As artists and revolutionaries in Egypt, we had no other means of resistance but to take to the streets, and I was on the lookout for other modes that would inspire and stir socio-political change and global exchange. That journey has led me to New York City, where I’ve obtained an MFA in Dramaturgy from Columbia University in 2016. I'm currently sustaining an O1 immigration status as an artist, through projects that allow me to navigate the process of supporting theatre communities to tell stories that represent a wide range of voices.
My Commitments
As an Egyptian dramaturg, I am conscious of the underrepresentation of BIPOC, Immigrant, Middle Eastern, ME-American and North African (MENA) theatre artists in the American theatre. Consequently, I have devoted my career to collaborate with BIPOC, Immigrant, and MENA artists to present untold stories that chronicle human narratives that aren’t told by the American news cycle, narratives that would add a different perspective to the American theatre canon.
I am fully committed to the notion that we as theatre practitioners have a special ability to spark dynamic, and necessarily equitable and diverse conversations around national and worldwide issues. We can do so by facilitating and staging human narratives—narratives that challenge the status quo and encourage community engagement, equity, education, inclusion, and dialogue. Whether I’m in Cairo streets protesting a regime that occupied my country for 30 years, fully quarantining from New York streets to work remotely in attempt to fight/resist a pandemic that overwhelmed our globe, or amplifying the necesity of lifting up brown and black voices on global stages; my dramaturgical values remain in keeping me fully motivated to make a dent in my societies through storytelling.
My Skillset
I possess a sharp eye for detail, which I use to find even the smallest nuances in a text. I work well under pressure and can produce high-quality work in short periods of time. I have strong interpersonal skills and work with diverse range of people and communites.
My training and past experiences expanded my knowledge of the ins and outs of the American theater from both an artistic and an administrative standpoint, and of the process of playwright scouting, script evaluation and play selection. It also gave me the opportunity to witness the heartbeat that keeps the New York theatre alive and thriving, i.e. new plays, works in development, and working closely with diverse emerging playwrights and global artists.
My Goals
I am looking for opportunities to work closely with creative teams that run on transparent socially-conscious values. I want to align myself with projects I believe in, where I can stir positive change. Projects that are committed to bringing BIPOC, Immigrant, and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) voices to the American stage.
I am always eager to learn more and am open to taking on challenging projects.