Mission & Vision
Established: 1996
Based in: United States
Focus Areas: Bengali Theatre, Immigrant Narratives, Cultural Preservation, Community Engagement
Dhaka Drama is a New York-based theatre collective founded in 1996 with the mission of preserving and promoting Bengali culture and theatre among the South Asian diaspora. Formed by theatre practitioners from Bangladesh and India—many of whom were part of the group theatre movement in their home countries—the group has grown into a platform for both traditional and contemporary storytelling.
Over the years, Dhaka Drama has staged more than 20 theatrical productions, featuring the works of Rabindranath Tagore and other prominent playwrights. The group has performed at major festivals such as the Fringe International Theatre Festival (1997, 2005) in collaboration with Epic Actors’ Workshop, and the South Asian Theatre Festival (2005, 2007, 2010) at venues including NJPAC, Crossroads Theatre, and George Street Playhouse in New Jersey.
In recent years, Dhaka Drama has shifted its focus toward telling immigrant stories in the English language, amplifying voices from the South Asian community in the United States. Notable productions include:
- Stories of Jackson Heights – an original piece exploring immigrant lives in one of New York’s most diverse neighborhoods, staged at Queens Theatre and funded by the Queens Council on the Arts.
- I, Shakuntala – a contemporary reimagining of the classic tale, presented as part of the Jamaica Performing Arts Center’s “Meet the Playwright” program.
Beyond theatre, Dhaka Drama continues to engage in community-based initiatives, organizing fundraising efforts for institutions such as the Liberation War Museum and a cancer hospital in Bangladesh.
Since 1997, the group has also been a leading force in organizing World Theatre Day celebrations in the Tri-State area, uniting Bengali theatre groups in a shared commitment to cultural expression.
Dhaka Drama remains dedicated to bridging cultures through performance—honoring its roots while embracing new voices, languages, and narratives that reflect the evolving immigrant experience in America.
Dhaka Drama is a New York-based theatre collective founded in 1996 with the mission of preserving and promoting Bengali culture and theatre among the South Asian diaspora. Formed by theatre practitioners from Bangladesh and India—many of whom were part of the group theatre movement in their home countries—the group has grown into a platform for both traditional and contemporary storytelling.
Over the years, Dhaka Drama has staged more than 20 theatrical productions, featuring the works of Rabindranath Tagore and other prominent playwrights. The group has performed at major festivals such as the Fringe International Theatre Festival (1997, 2005) in collaboration with Epic Actors’ Workshop, and the South Asian Theatre Festival (2005, 2007, 2010) at venues including NJPAC, Crossroads Theatre, and George Street Playhouse in New Jersey.
Amplifying Immigrant Voices
In recent years, Dhaka Drama has shifted its focus toward telling immigrant stories in the English language, amplifying voices from the South Asian community in the United States.
- Stories of Jackson Heights An original piece exploring immigrant lives in one of New York’s most diverse neighborhoods, staged at Queens Theatre and funded by the Queens Council on the Arts.
- I, Shakuntala A contemporary reimagining of the classic tale, presented as part of the Jamaica Performing Arts Center’s “Meet the Playwright” program.
Community Impact & Legacy
Beyond theatre, Dhaka Drama continues to engage in community-based initiatives, organizing fundraising efforts for institutions such as the Liberation War Museum and a cancer hospital in Bangladesh.
Since 1997, the group has also been a leading force in organizing World Theatre Day celebrations in the Tri-State area, uniting Bengali theatre groups in a shared commitment to cultural expression.