Detroit Public Theatre’s latest show highlights the power of performance

“Noura” was written by Michigan-born Iraqi-American playwright Heather Raffo, who also stars as the titular role in the production.

Courtney Burkett and Heather Raffo smile in front of the WDET logo (which is covered with multi-colored notes of appreciation from WDET staff) at our studios

Detroit Public Theatre producing artistic director Courtney Burkett (left) and playwright Heather Raffo in the WDET studios on Nov. 17, 2022, during employee recognition week.

In the Cass Corridor, Detroit Public Theater has opened its new headquarters. It’s bringing top-rated theater to the city, and with their latest production, it’s putting a spotlight on a homegrown talent.

graphic of a woman walking through a teal door overlayed with an orange image of a woman overlayed with arabic text. In English, other text reads "Noura. Performances at our new home at 3960 Third Avenue, Detroit. Showing from November 16 through December 18."
“Noura” is showing at the Detroit Public Theatre’s new Third Avenue location now through Dec. 18.

Noura” was written by Michigan-born Iraqi-American playwright Heather Raffo, who also stars as the titular role in the production. Performances are happening at the Detroit Public Theatre now through December 18.

Raffo and Detroit Public Theatre artistic director and co-founder Courtney Burkett joined CultureShift to talk about representation, family roots and the power of performance.

“You’re sitting next to people that you don’t know and you have no connection to except for these 90 minutes. The conversations that happen in our lobby after the show are really powerful and meaningful. To be able to experience these stories together is what makes theater a unique art form and makes the experience very visceral and very meaningful for many people.” — Courtney Burkett, Detroit Public Theatre

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  • Ryan Patrick Hooper inside the WDET studio.
    Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host of "In the Groove" on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. Hooper has covered stories for the New York Times, NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.