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Arti Ishak

Birth Place: Detroit, MI

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Originally from Detroit, Arti is grateful to work in the Chicago theatre scene. She is a proud graduate of Western Michigan University’s Theatre Performance and Sales & Business Marketing programs.

As an artist she is committed to being a part of and producing pieces that inspire social change and growth. She is specifically aims to fuel the growth of a strong female presence in the arts. Pulling from her mix of Middle Eastern and Asian American heritage, is her goal to challenge and rise above traditional gender roles and racial stereotypes that are typically associated with women of color.

She has recently worked with Goodman, Writers Theatre, 16th Street, American Theater Company, Silk Road Rising, The Neo-Futurists, Chicago Dramatists, Rasaka Theatre, International Voices Project, Strangeloop Theatre, Broken Nose Theatre, Prologue Theatre, Idle Muse Theatre, Babes with Blades, and Something Marvelous.

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Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Unveils 23-24 Professional Development Program Cycle 1 Recipients


SDC Foundation has revealed the recipients for the 2023-2024 Professional Development Program Cycle 1. The program offers opportunities for early career directors and choreographers to observe and support experienced professionals in the industry.

VIDEO: First Look at THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at Goodman Theatre


Get a first look at Goodman Theatre's production of The Nacirema Society, now on stage through October 15th.

Cast Set For THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at the Goodman Theatre


Goodman Theatre’s 2023/2024 Season—Susan V. Booth’s first to curate as new Artistic Director—begins with works by Pearl Cleage, Atlanta’s first Poet Laureate and Booth’s longtime creative collaborator and friend. Learn more about the cast here!

Photos: First Look at First Floor Theater's HATEf**k


First Floor Theater is concluding its Tenth Season with the Chicago premiere of Rehana Lew Mirza’s Kilroys’-lauded hit Hatef**k, directed by Arti Ishak, playing through June 10, 2023 at The Den Theatre. The cast includes Aila Peck and Faiz Siddique. Check out production photos here!

First Floor Theater Presents The Chicago Premiere of HATEf**k, May 5- June 10 At The Den Theatre


First Floor Theater will conclude its Tenth Season with the Chicago premiere of Rehana Lew Mirza's Kilroys'-lauded hit Hatef**k, directed by Arti Ishak, playing May 5 – June 10, 2023 at The Den Theatre.

Haven Presents DIRECTOR'S HAVEN 6 at The Den Theatre


Haven will start off 2023 programming with its annual Director's Haven, now in its sixth year. Featuring three emerging directors, Director's Haven 6 gives directors in the earliest stages of their professional careers a rare opportunity to take risks, hone their crafts and talents and share their vision through a fully staged production of a short play.

Casting Announced For First Floor Theater's HATEf**k at The Den Theatre


First Floor Theater will conclude its Tenth Season with the Chicago premiere of Rehana Lew Mirza's Kilroys'-lauded hit Hatef**k, directed by Arti Ishak, playing May 5 – June 10, 2023 at The Den Theatre (2B), 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Golden Thread Launches 2023 Season: Building Forward


Golden Thread Productions, the first American theatre company devoted to the Middle East, presents a season of new work highlighting our commitment to uplift one another as we explore ways to connect, cope, and be moved to make a change. Join us as we look for comfort in comic relief, seek unity in collaboration, and find inspiration in the stories of those fighting for justice and equality. 

First Floor Theater To Conclude Tenth Season with HATEf**k in May


First Floor Theater will conclude its Tenth Season with the Chicago premiere of Rehana Lew Mirza’s Kilroys’-lauded hit Hatef**k, directed by Arti Ishak, playing May 4 – June 10, 2023 at The Den Theatre.

Victory Gardens Theater and The Chicago Inclusion Project Announce Inclusive Casting Initiative


The Chicago Inclusion Project together with Victory Gardens Theater have announced a new season-long collaboration.

The Chicago Inclusion Project Announces Anti-Racism Workshops For Theatre And Arts Organizations


The staff of The Chicago Inclusion Project will launch a new workshop and continuum developed by staff members Jessica Vann and Arti Ishak. 

The Chicago Inclusion Project Announces Anti-Racism Workshops For Theatre And Arts Organizations


The staff of The Chicago Inclusion Project is launching a new workshop and continuum developed by staff members Jessica Vann and Arti Ishak. After taking this workshop, companies will have a deeper understanding of where their institution stands, and a clear idea of actions that can be taken to achieve Anti-Racism goals.

SCOUT Steppenwolf's New Play Development Initiative Presents MOSQUE4MOSQUE Free Virtual Reading


Steppenwolf Theatre Company's new play development initiative, SCOUT is pleased to present A Virtual Reading of Mosque4Mosque by Omer Abbas Salem on Sunday, March 28th at 2pm CST.

Sideshow Theatre Company Welcomes New Ensemble Members and Artistic Associates


Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to welcome eleven new ensemble members and artistic associates. Ensemble members include Wardell Julius Clark, Greg Geffrard, Arti Ishak, Krystal Ortiz, Gabrielle Randle-Bent and Netta Walker. Artistic Associates include Patrick Agada, J. Nicole Brooks, Brynne Frauenhoffer, Jyreika Guest and Sarah Price.

3Arts Announces Inaugural Award For Women Visual Artists


3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announced the inaugural 3Arts Next Level/Spare Room Award—a $50,000 unrestricted cash award given to three women visual artists who are past awardees—during its 13th annual 3Arts Awards Celebration hosted October 19 via livestream on YouTube.

Photo Flash: First Look at Haven's KISS


Haven concludes its 2018-19 Season with the Chicago premiere of KISS by Guillermo Calderón, Chile's most acclaimed playwright-director. Monty Cole directs and performs in this bold theatrical experience that asks if art is a tool for empathy, what are the limits?

Haven Theatre Presents KISS


Haven Theatre concludes its 2018-19 Season with the Chicago premiere of KISS by Guillermo Calderon, Chile's most acclaimed playwright-director. Monty Cole directs and performs in this bold theatrical experience that asks if art is a tool for empathy, what are the limits?

Casting Announced for Haven Theatre's KISS


Haven Theatre announces casting for its Chicago premiere of KISS by Guillermo Calderon, Chile's most acclaimed playwright-director. Monty Cole directs and performs in this bold theatrical experience that asks if art is a tool for empathy, what are the limits? Abhi Shrestha associate directs.

Writers Theatre Presents The World Premiere Of WITCH


Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, presents the World Premiere of Witch, written by Jen Silverman, inspired by The Witch of Edmonton by Rowley, Dekker & Ford. Witch, directed by Marti Lyons, runs September 26 - December 16, 2018 in the Gillian Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. 

Victory Gardens Announces Casting And Full Schedule For IGNITION


Victory Gardens Theater Artistic Director Chay Yew, Managing Director Erica Daniels and Director of New Play Development Skyler Gray announce the lineup for the 10th Anniversary IGNITION Festival of New Plays, including Prosthesis by Robert Askins; Untitled Road Trip Play by Lauren Yee; White History by Dave Harris; How to Defend Yourself by Lily Padilla; Seeing Eye by Nick Malakhow; and The First Deep Breath by Lee Edward Colston II. The 2018 Festival runs August 3 -5, 2018 at Victory Gardens Theater, located at 2433 N Lincoln Avenue.

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