A Canadian-born, NYC-based theatre director, playwright, and screenwriter, Kareem Fahmy's work has been seen at theatres across the U.S. and Canada.
Kareem has received commissions from Audible, Colt Coeur, Artists Repertory Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre/Sloan, and is the inaugural recipient of The Next Forever Commission from The Civilians & Princeton University.
Winner of the Woodward/Newman Playwriting Award, longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize and recipient of MacDowell, Yaddo, and Sundance Fellowships.
He co-founded the Middle Eastern American Writers Lab, created the BIPOC Director Database, and was named a Rising Leader of Color by Theatre Communications Group.
'A Distinct Society' at Weston Theater Company
August 20 to 31, 2025 — I'll be directing the Vermont premiere of my Vermont-set play A Distinct Society at Weston Theatre Company. [INFO & TICKETS]
'Dodi & Diana' at Mosaic Theater Company
September 4 to 8, 2025 — Washington DC's Mosaic Theater presents the regional premiere of Dodi & Diana, directed by Reg Douglas. [INFO]
'Dodi & Diana' at Capital Repertory Theatre
'A Distinct Society' at Firehouse Theatre
November 12 to 30, 2025 — I'll be directing the Virginia premiere of A Distinct Society at Richmond's Firehouse Theatre . [INFO]
April 26 to May 17, 2026 — Albany's Capital Repertory Theatre presents a production of Dodi & Diana. [INFO & TICKETS]
'Ajax' by Habib Yazdi at Boise Contemporary Theatre
April 2026 — Thrilled to be directing the world premiere of Habib Yazdi's hysterical comedy Ajax at Boise Contemporary Theatre. [INFO]
The Next Forever Commission with The Civilians & Princeton University — 'Riparian States'
I'm thrilled to be one of the inaugural recipients of The Next Forever Commission, a program exploring how dynamic storytelling can engage vital environmental subjects and provide the vision and inspiration society needs to navigate the challenges of our planet’s future. I'll be developing my new play Riparian States. [INFO]
'American Fast' at Theater Alliance
March 20 to April 13, 2025 — Reg Douglas directed the Washtingon D.C. premiere of American Fast. [INFO]
'Fountains of Youth' at LPAC's Rough Draft Festival
March, 2025 — Mike Donahue directed a reading of Fountains of Youth as part of Rough Draft Festival at LPAC. Inspired by true events, this thriller tracks a tight-knit group of friends investigating the mysterious disappearance of one of their own.
'Sanctuary City' at Cincinnati Playhouse
I directed Pulitzer Prize Winner Martyna Majok's stirring play about undocumented immigrants. [PHOTOS]
WORLD PREMIERE
Colt Coeur NYC | directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt
ROLLING WORLD PREMIERE
Artists Repertory Theatre Portland, OR | directed by Chip Miller
City Theatre Pittsburgh | directed by Jennifer Chang
InterAct Theatre Philadelphia | directed by Seth Rozin
CO-WORLD PREMIERE
Pioneer Theatre Company Salt Lake City | directed by Giovanna Sardelli
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Palo Alto | directed Giovanna Sardelli
MIDWEST PREMIERE
Writers Theatre, Glencoe, IL | directed by Kareem Fahmy
DODI & DIANA
A husband and wife travel to Paris to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, unearthing an uncanny connection to the star-crossed lovers that will alter the trajectory of their marriage.
AMERICAN FAST
Twenty-one-year-old college basketball sensation Khady Salama makes it to March Madness, only to become a flashpoint of controversy when she lies about observing the Muslim fast while competing in the tournament.
A DISTINCT SOCIETY
A sleepy library that straddles the U.S./Canada border becomes an unlikely crucible for five people from around the world when families separated by the “Muslim ban” begin using the library as a meeting place.
THE CIVILIANS EXTENDED PLAY
“Riparian States” — On Creating a Play as Long and Deep as The Nile
AMERICAN THEATRE'S SUBTEXT PODCAST
BROADWAY WORLD
A New Play Makes the Political Personal
NEWSWEEK
New Play Shines Light on Erasure of Dodi Fayed
AMERICAN THEATRE MAGAZINE
Meet the Leaders Who Are Already Reshaping the Field
ONSTAGE BLOG
Kareem Fahmy on Bringing More Middle Eastern & Muslim Stories on Stage
Amel Khalil in American Fast