Jamil Khoury

Jamil Khoury is the Founding Artistic Director of Silk Road Theatre Project, a position to which he brings extensive experience as a producer, playwright, and cross-cultural consultant.  He is honored to be promoting the cultural production of Silk Road peoples and to help foster the exchange of ideas within Chicago's theatre community. Khoury's vocation as a playwright lends a valuable currency to fulfilling our mission as a playwright driven theatre.  His plays focus on Middle Eastern themes and questions of Diaspora. He is particularly interested in the intersections of culture, national identity, sexuality, and class.  Khoury holds a M.A. degree in Religious Studies from The University of Chicago Divinity School and a B.S. degree in International Relations from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. He has taught for The University of Chicago Graham School of General Studies, where he developed courses in Middle East Studies. Khoury's play Precious Stones won Gay Chicago Magazine's 2003 After Dark Award for Outstanding New Work and has been performed in ten cities across the U.S.  His play Fitna was performed at University Theatre of The University of Chicago and his play Azizati was performed at Café Voltaire.  Khoury serves on the Board of Directors of The League of Chicago Theatres.