Many years ago, a story was stolen from the land of people who named the stars. We call it ألف ليلة وليلة (The Thousand and One Nights).

It tells the story of Scheherazade, the most brilliant storyteller in the world, who, to escape execution by a vengeful king, weaves a tapestry of tales for a thousand and one nights, each story buying her another dawn.

AN URGENT CALL-TO-ACTION

Once stolen, Scheherazade’s tales were orientalized and weaponized by colonizers to dehumanize Arabs, Muslims, and the very Hakawati (traditional oral storytellers) who brought them to life –a dehumanization so complete that it is now being used to justify genocide.

Our production of The Thousand and One Nights reclaims the epic and transforms it into a call-to-action, blending Arabic folklore with Hakawati oral tradition, poetry, puppetry, music, and movement.

THE OPPORTUNITY AT LA MAMA

After an acclaimed run at Columbia University, we have the opportunity to present this piece at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club – a renowned and internationally recognized hub for bold new theater. We are fundraising for our La MaMa Workshop presentation of The Thousand and One Nights in 2026.

With your generous support, we can achieve:

Equitable pay for our team of artists from around the world including, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, India, Türkiye, Iran, Ethiopia, Peru, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, People's Republic of China, Bahrain, and the United States of America.
Production costs to bring this world to life—including sets, props, materials, and design.
Discounted tickets for NYC student groups
Outreach and marketing for our story to reach audiences outside of New York

Most of all, your contributions will allow us to touch New York City audiences with the humanity of the Arab, Persian and South Asian stories brought to life by a fully BIPOC cast representing communities from around the world. With your support, we hope to carry this story forward, from the dawn of time, through our work, into your hands, and watch it ripple outward.

Thank you deeply for your support.

PRAISE FOR 1001 NIGHTS

“Magical, funny, heartbreaking, revolutionary, and delightful.”

David Henry Hwang

“Through bold storytelling and inventive staging, Fawaz’s vision transforms a classic narrative into a timely exploration of modern realities - a journey that promises to move and provoke audiences in equal measure.”

Anne Bogart

“The ending of this sumptuous Thousand and One Nights may be one of the most haunting and real moments I’ve ever experienced in the theatre.”

George Abud

Bring 1001 Nights to La MaMa Theatre Club!

By Foundation for Diversity in the Arts

Bring 1001 Nights to La MaMa Theatre Club!