Laila Soliman

Visiting Associate Arts Professor of Theater, Artist in Residence Affiliation: Visiting
Education: BA American University in Cairo, MA Dasarts

ls6196@nyu.edu

Research Areas: Socio-Political Theater; Post-Dramatic; Documentary Theater; Multi-disciplinary Contemporary Theater; African Theater; Arab Theater;

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Laila Soliman (born in 1981) is an independent Egyptian theatre director and playwright living in Cairo but currently working wherever possible.

She studied at the German School (DSB, Cairo) and obtained her BA in theatre at the American University in Cairo and her MA at Dasarts (AHK) in Amsterdam.

Her work stems from an interest in the state of flux in the contemporary socio-political climate and its influence on individuals, relationships, and power structures. It relies on collective memories and personal histories as ways of bridging the gap between the official versions of events and intimate, individual experiences.

Her performances have been shown in Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria, India, South Africa, and various countries in Europe.

Amongst the most important works she directed are “The Retreating World” (2004), “Ghorba, images of alienation” (2006), “…At your service!” (2009), “Spring Awakening in the Tuktuk” (2010), “No Time for Art 0/1/2/3” (20111_2013), “Hawa ELhorreya, Whims of Freedom” (2014), “The National Museum of the State Security System” (2015), “Zigzig”(2016), “Museum of Lungs” (2018), “Wanaset Yodit” (2020).

Her first Opera, “Woman at Point 0” (2022), recently premiered.