Umar is an award-winning Writer, Director, Performer, and a Theatre Maker of colour, based in the North East of England. His work is recognised throughout the UK and Internationally.
As a first generation migrant, Umar is passionate about exploring, learning and sharing global human stories of belonging, family, community and displacement, closer to home.
Umar was also a co-founder of Bijli, a theatre company focused on creating work to encourage diversity across cultures and art forms for Scottish and UK communities, and beyond. Bijli was the inaugural company in residence at National Theatre of Scotland.
His writing credits include:
What is Love.
Welcome to the Jungle.
SARA (best book, and show for diverse young audiences, critics award UK Mela 2020).
Bird in the Window (Kala Sangam, Bradford).
Henna (Middlesbrough Council commission).
The Village (Diwali, ARC Stockton commission).
Alex & Eliza (which made The Stage’s top 5 shows in Nov 2019).
Co-wrote How To Make A Killing in Bollywood (Second place North East new writing. Toured nationally following its success at the Edinburgh Fringe).
Lupo (Grahamstown Festival, South Africa).
Sylhety (Bangladesh).
Umar has directed all of the above plays, including,
Tribe Talks @ Partition 75.HAI(R) (Ten minutes to, LIVE Theatre).
LOVE BY THE RIVER (The Northern School of Art).
University of Edinburgh, MSc Playwriting, Pre-View: Readings at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
ONE MISSISSIPPI (Traverse Theatre).
IF I HAD A GIRL (Citizens Theatre + Scottish tour).