The first anthology of its kind, collecting plays of our time. This groundbreaking anthology is a collection of new plays by American writers of a variety of Middle Eastern backgrounds, from artists born in Egypt and Iran, to Israeli- and Palestinian-Americans. These plays—written in a diversity of theatrical styles ranging from lyrical drama to satiric comedy—are personal and political, fresh and important. They represent artists negotiating the complexities of Middle Eastern identity in America, while dealing with the ravages of war and violence in their families’ homelands. Included are: 10 Acrobats in an Amazing Leap of Faith by Yussef el-Guindi; Between Our Lips by Nathalie Handal; Nine Parts of Desire by Heather Raffo; The Black-Eyed by Betty Shamieh; Desert Sunrise by Misha Shulman; Call Me Mehdi by Torange Yeghiazarian and Browntown by Samir Younis