We’re a group of artists who have made it part of our practice to advocate for immigrants in the theater industry.

Our goal is to eliminate the barriers that the United States immigration system and protectionist, xenophobic industry practices have put on immigrant artists, and to give us an equal chance to survive and thrive in this country while pursuing a career in a field we are passionate about. We do this by sharing knowledge about how the system works and how it can be navigated by both artists and institutions, making connections between those seeking help and those who can provide it, and uplifting examples of initiatives and projects that model the inclusive industry we dream of.

Who we are

  • A young woman of SouthEast Asian descent with black, shoulder-length curly hair, dark eyes, wearing a pastel pink sleeveless top with buttons and a necklace with a small round charm, looking into the camera with a neutral expression.

    Jody Doo

    Jody is a producer and host born and raised in sunny Singapore. She is passionate about using her work to uplift minority and diverse voices. Currently, Jody is the Global Assistant Producer at The Moth. Previously, she co-founded Global Forms Theater Festival at Rattlestick Theater (4 seasons) and produced/hosted Global Gab (3 seasons) - a monthly panel where she dug deep with fellow immigrant artists. Jody is also ¼ of the Oversight Committee at Spellbound Theatre, which replaces the traditional role of an Artistic Director.

  • A white man with a brown short beard, wearing a black sweater, in front of a colorful background, with short hair combed to the side, stares at the camera with a slight smile.

    Danilo Gambini

    Danilo is a director, writer, and producer, originally from São Paulo, Brazil. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director at Studio Theatre. Recent directing credits include the world premieres of Ni Mi Madre (Rattlestick/ OBIE Award Winner, Drama Desk Nom., NYT Critics Pick), and the musical Sabina (Portland Stage Maine, co-directed with Daniella Topol). Before Studio Theatre, he was the Associate Artistic Director at Rattlestick Theater, Co-Artistic Director at Yale Summer Cabaret, and a member of Roundabout Director’s Group. danilogambini.com

  • A young white man with blue eyes, blond hair in a ponytail, and a red beard, wearing a denim button-down, stares at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Francisco Mendoza

    Francisco was born in Mendoza, Argentina, and ever since he was a kid he dreamed of traveling the world like his literary heroes – a dream that became real when he was twelve and his family relocated to Brazil. Moving countries a second time, Francisco is now pursuing a writing career in New York that spans plays, TV, film, audio, short stories, magazine articles, and his first novel. He's currently the Director of Marketing at The Playwrights Realm, and acts as consultant and educator for other non-profit theater companies. notrealmendoza.com

  • A North African woman in her thirties with short black curly hair, wearing a black dress, in front of a white background, staring at the camera with an angle and a big smile.

    Salma S. Zohdi

    Salma is an Egyptian Dramaturg living in the U.S. Salma is the Literary Manager at New York Theatre Workshop, Director of Development & Communications at Noor Theatre, a Lucille Lortel Award Voter, and an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing. Salma aspires to create spaces where we can generously and inclusively examine art, culture, community building, and the necessary global and social justice conversations. MA: AUC - English & Comparative Literature. MFA: Columbia University - Theatre (Dramaturgy). zohdiscriptconsultancy.com

Advisory Council

  • A man with short dark hair and a blue button-down shirt smiles at the camera standing against a white wall

    Saheem Ali

    Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director, The Public Theater

  • A black and white picture of a woman with long hair smiling at the camera waring a long cardigan

    Sarah Benson

    Director

  • A man with short gray hair wearing glasses and a dark suit leans against a brick wall crossing his arms

    Moisés Kaufman

    Artistic Director, Tectonic Theater Project

  • A woman with long dark hair smiles at the camera wearing a red scarf over a black coat

    Olga Levina

    Co-Founder and Executive Producer, Jersey City Theater Center

  • A woman with medium length dark hair smiling against a brick wall

    Roberta Pereira

    Executive Director, Library for the Performing Arts

  • A man wearing a dark suit leans against a tiled wall

    Chay Yew

    Director, Playwright, Producer

Companies we’ve worked with

  • Logo for The Playwrights Realm, white font over a black background

    We collaborated with the Realm and Dyer Harris LLP on the International Theatermakers Award program, which selected 5 theatermakers applying for O-1 visas each year and covered all their expenses.

  • Logo for New Dramatists, including a drawing of a pen over a red background and the teagline "Dedicated to the playwright"

    We advocated for New Dramatists to drop citizenship/green card requirements for their residencies, and helped craft immigrant-inclusive language for their applications.

  • Logo for the Princess Grace Foundation USA, black font under the outline of a tiara over a light blue background

    We advocated for the end of citizenship/green card requirements for the Playwriting Fellowship, and helped craft immigrant-inclusive language for the application.

  • Logo for Rattlestick Theater, white font with a green L over a black background

    As former staff at Rattlestick Theater, our members were involved in launching Rattlestick's Global Forms Theater Festival, which presents work by immigrant artists, and Global Gab, a monthly informational show geared towards helping immigrants thrive in the industry.

  • Logo for the Theatre Communications Group, a white circle over an orange background

    We led the panel “Supporting and working with Immigrants in the American Theatre” at the 2021 TCG National Conference.

  • Alongside JCTC’s Executive Producer, Olga Levina, we are working on forming an immigrant artist coalition to showcase immigrant works.

  • Logo for Spellbound Theatre, black handwritten font over a yellow and green circle

    We are working with Spellbound on implementing intentional hiring of immigrant artists and incorporating their cultural diversity into the company’s work.

Join our email group!

If you’re an immigrant, sign up to be part of our listserv, where the community shares opportunities, announcements, and inquiries: