As politicized ethnic groups, playwriting comes with a sense of responsibility and history for many MENA/SWANA writers. Balancing drama and comedy in plays that deal with MENA politics, identity, and history can be difficult but is also crucial in inviting audiences into our stories and addressing stereotypes and historical harm. Join two prominent playwrights and pillars of the MENA community, Yussef El-Guindi & Leila Buck, as we have an open conversation about how they approach their writing and reflect on what their work means in a greater societal context.