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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Saheem Ali
Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director, The Public Theater
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Sarah Benson
Director
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Moisés Kaufman
Artistic Director, Tectonic Theater Project
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Olga Levina
Co-Founder and Executive Producer, Jersey City Theater Center
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Roberta Pereira
Executive Director, Library for the Performing Arts
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Chay Yew
Director, Playwright, Producer
Companies we’ve worked with
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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.
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We advocated for New Dramatists to drop citizenship/green card requirements for their residencies, and helped craft immigrant-inclusive language for their applications.
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We advocated for the end of citizenship/green card requirements for the Playwriting Fellowship, and helped craft immigrant-inclusive language for the application.
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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.
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We led the panel “Supporting and working with Immigrants in the American Theatre” at the 2021 TCG National Conference.
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Alongside JCTC’s Executive Producer, Olga Levina, we are working on forming an immigrant artist coalition to showcase immigrant works.
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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: