Dr. Qaisar Abbas is an accomplished academic, theatre practitioner, and researcher whose work spans across political theatre, performance for development, and community engagement through the arts. With a dynamic career rooted in both academia and grassroots performance, Dr. Abbas brings an interdisciplinary perspective that bridges performance studies, anthropology, and development communication.
He earned his PhD in Drama from the University of Exeter, UK (2023), where his research examined the evolution of political theatre in Pakistan, particularly the impacts of NGO-isation and neoliberal policies. His doctoral work critically explored the poetics and politics of working-class theatre in Punjab, earning him recognition in international scholarly circles. Dr. Abbas also holds an MA (with Distinction) in Applied Anthropology and Community Development from Goldsmiths, University of London, and participated in the Erasmus Exchange Program at Utrecht School of the Arts, Netherlands.
Dr. Abbas's scholarship is widely published in reputed journals such as Asian Theatre Journal and New Theatre Quarterly. His notable works include articles on the decolonization of working-class theatre and the NGO-led depoliticization of artistic spaces in Pakistan. He has contributed to edited volumes, including his chapter on heritage-based theatre with Kalasha children, and has a monograph forthcoming with Routledge titled The Neo-liberalization of Political Theatre in Punjab (Pakistan): NGO-isation, Professionalization and Depoliticization. His academic contributions also include conference presentations at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University and the International Federation for Theatre Research.
Professionally, Dr. Abbas has served as Assistant Professor and School Coordinator at the Institute for Art and Culture, Lahore, where he designed and taught a wide range of courses related to acting, applied theatre, performance analysis, and creative community development. At BNU, he currently leads the MS Film and TV program, mentoring students and spearheading curriculum development that integrates theory with practice.
Before entering academia, Dr. Abbas spent over a decade at Punjab Lok Rahs, a leading non-profit theatre organization in Pakistan, where he managed cultural development projects focused on human rights, education, gender awareness, and social justice. His work spanned from designing theatre-based community interventions to liaising with international donors, including UNICEF, British Council, and Swiss Development Cooperation. His field experience and project management reflect a lifelong commitment to using theatre as a transformative tool for social change.
Dr. Abbas is also an award-winning grant recipient, having secured research funding from the Association for Asian Studies under its Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences Program (CHSS), and prestigious scholarships such as the Commonwealth Scholarship and Exeter International Excellence Award.
As a theatre artist, he has directed and performed in numerous original productions in Punjabi and Urdu, such as Halla Bol, Neelay Da Aswaar, Mahno Kahani, and Uperali Manzil. His plays often address themes of identity, power, marginalization, and collective memory. His writing credits include over a dozen original plays, and he continues to offer acting and theatre workshops to youth, students, and community groups across Pakistan.
In both his academic and creative practice, Dr. Qaisar Abbas remains dedicated to amplifying voices from the margins, fostering critical thinking through performance, and building bridges between theory, activism, and community engagement.
