
Noor Theatre Noor Theatre
272594048
2010
noortheatre.org
NoorTheatre
NoorTheatre
Noor Theatre
Overview
Noor Theatre is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, developing, and presenting the work of theatre artists of Middle Eastern, Southwest Asian, and North African descent. Founded in June 2010 by Lameece Issaq, Maha Chehlaoui, and Nancy Vitale, it is the only company in New York City with this specific mission.
Mission
The mission of Noor Theatre is to provide a platform for MENA/SWANA artists, countering negative stereotypes by sharing nuanced and diverse perspectives. Through productions, readings, and public speaking, Noor aims to enrich cultural dialogue and foster a more intelligent and humane understanding of Middle Eastern experiences.
Programs and Activities
Noor Theatre offers several key programs:
- Highlight Reading Series: Established by former Producing Artistic Director Nancy Vitale, this series supports playwrights of Middle Eastern descent. It has showcased works later produced by other organizations, such as Heather Raffo's Noura.
- 48 Hour Forum: Launched in 2015, this event involves playwrights, directors, and actors creating original productions inspired by headlines about the Middle East. It aims to spark conversations about media representation and its impact on communities.
Awards and Grants
Noor Theatre has received notable recognition, including an Obie Award in 2016. In 2018, it was awarded an Artists Advancing Cultural Change grant from the Pop Culture Collaborative to commission new works by Middle Eastern American writers.
Structure and Partnerships
Noor Theatre is currently a Company-in-Residence at New York Theatre Workshop. It has collaborated with institutions like The Lark and the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center to engage with the broader New York community.
Classification
Noor Theatre is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization under the category of Arts, Culture, and Humanities, specifically in the field of theater. Contributions to the organization are tax-deductible.
[1] https://www.noortheatre.org/about [2] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272594048 [3] https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/1cf608fead584275801142a940e148da-noor-theatre-new-york-city [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noor_Theatre_Company [5] https://www.noortheatre.org/founders
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News

Thank you to everyone who attended The Noor Ball last night — the performers who dazzled us with their talent, the artists who energized the room, the friends old and new whose excitement about our work was palpable, and, of course, the generous donors who make our work possible. Last night was a powerful testament to all that we’ve accomplished as a community over the past 15 years, and everything we can achieve when our community comes together. We are especially grateful to our founders @lcissaq and @chemaha1 for flying in to attend (we missed you @nancyvanvitale!), and to our incredible Board led by @nilou.safinya for their tremendous dedication. We count ourselves as incredibly lucky to have you all in our corner. What an unforgettable night! We have only been able to sustain this work for 15 years because of financial support from individuals. If you believe in what we do, please consider making an investment in our community by making a contribution today. It’s not too late to celebrate our 15th birthday with us! (fb)

📣‼️ Announcing our star-studded entertainment lineup for The Noor Ball: 🎶 George Abud on oud and vocals 🎭 Nikki Massoud performs a scene from her Noor-commissioned new play HE WHO HAS 10,000 HORSES 🎸 Two tracks from Fouad Dakwar’s pop-punk musical FOUAD OF NAZARETH performed by the company 🙈 … and some very special surprises! Visit the link in our bio to purchase your ticket or table TODAY. Subsidized artist tickets are also available — email info@noortheatre.org to request one. You won’t want to miss these exclusive performances! (fb)
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About the organization
- A60 -
Noor Theatre Engage Enlighten Entertain Current News Submit for Noor Theatres Highlight Reading Series SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 15 Noor Theatre is thrilled to announce that we will be bringing back our Highlight Reading Series showcasing work by artists of MENASWANA Middle EasternSouthwest AsianNorth African descent. We would love to invite you to submit your project for consideration. We will select up to three projects based on open submissions. Each play will receive a readingpresentation for Noor audiences and industry members with support of an acting company director and stage management.
Performing Arts