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 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.
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He 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 and recipient of MacDowell, Yaddo, and Sundance Fellowships.
The Next Forever Commission with The Civilians & Princeton University
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]
'A Distinct Society' at The Human Race Theatre Company
​​February 5 to 16, 2025 — Brant Russell directs A Distinct Society for Dayton, Ohio's The Human Race Theatre Company. [INFO]
'American Fast' at Theater Alliance
​​Spring 2025 — Reg Douglas directs American Fast for Washington, D.C.'s Theater Alliance. [INFO]
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Banff Center for the Arts & Creativity
I developed my newest play Fountains of Youth as part of the Banff Playwrights Lab.
'Sanctuary City' at Cincinnati Playhouse
I directed Pulitzer Prize Winner Martyna Majok's stirring play about undocumented immigrants. [PHOTOS]
The Stratford Festival of Canada
I was honored to participate in the Stratford Festival's Playwrights Lab where I developed my play Fountains of Youth, which has received a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.
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World Premieres of three of my plays
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Eight productions of my plays nationwide
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My debut production as a playwright in New York City
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My Chicago debut as both director and playwright
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WORLD PREMIERE
Colt Coeur NYC | directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt
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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
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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.
AMERICAN THEATRE'S SUBTEXT PODCAST​
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BROADWAY WORLD​
A New Play Makes the Political Personal
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NEWSWEEK​
New Play Shines Light on Erasure of Dodi Fayed
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AMERICAN THEATRE MAGAZINE​
Meet the Leaders Who Are Already Reshaping the Field
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ONSTAGE BLOG
Kareem Fahmy on Bringing More Middle Eastern & Muslim Stories on Stage
Amel Khalil in American Fast