Focus: Umar Butt

Who are you and where are you from?
I’m Umar Butt, I was born in Pakistan, brought up in Glasgow, and have been a proud honorary Smoggy for the past 15 years!

What is it you do?
I am an actor, writer, director and a theatre maker.

How long have you been doing it?
Been doing it a while. since my early 20’s! But we’ll leave that there.

Who or what inspires you?
Nature, people, communities and culture, common-unity and stories inspire me.
“Lack of common language did not stop people from a common humanity” – Anuradha Roy

Tell us about your work/creative practice.
I make relevant and representative work for communities, specifically, though not limited, to those of the Global Majority. I tell global stories close to home, to help neighbours understand each other. My work explores themes of home, belonging, family, displacement and community through the medium of physical theatre and music

What do you have coming up in the near future?
Currently I’m working on 2 plays and trying to set up a theatre company that will make work in the Tees Valley then tour nationally and internationally. This is all possible because of the support of Tees Vally Combined Authority and their trailblazing Tees Valley Artist of the Year initiative.

Where can people find out more about you?
My theatre company’s website is launching soon. But for now, I’m on the socials, Instagram and Facebook. Find me if you can and
give me a follow!