Zoukak was formed in 2006 as a horizontal theatre collective that treats theatre as a form of social and political engagement. Its members create work collectively and care more about process than polished outcomes. A big part of the company's work happens outside the stage: drama therapy, psychosocial sessions and nonviolent communication with groups such as incarcerated youth, survivors of domestic violence and migrant domestic workers. The company opened Zoukak Studio in 2008 in a small apartment, moved it to a building on Corniche du Fleuve in Karantina in 2016, and reopened in 2022 after the port explosion damaged it. Since 2013 it has curated Zoukak Sidewalks, an international performance festival, and it runs mentorship, university and residency programs. Its awards include the Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists in 2017.
Zoukak Theatre Company at a glance
- Founded in 2006 as a horizontal theatre collective
- Studio in Karantina reopened in 2022 after the port explosion
- Curates the Zoukak Sidewalks festival since 2013
- Received the Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists in 2017
Who is behind Zoukak Theatre Company
- Lamia Abi Azar (Co-founder). Source: zoukak.org
- Maya Zbib (Co-founder). Source: zoukak.org
- Junaid Sarieddeen (Founding member). Source: zoukak.org
- Omar Abi Azar (Founding member). Source: zoukak.org
- Mohamad Hamdan (Founding member). Source: zoukak.org