MIT
Shakespeare in Turkish Theatre
Dream of Hamlet is a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in traditional Turkish theatre. In this lively show, the Turkish theatre, a living tradition with 700 years of history, brings a modernist approach to the British playwright Shakespeare’s signature play by reconstructing its characters and theme in an entirely different context. Karagoz and Hamlet, the defining cultural hallmarks of two diametrically opposite traditions, come together on the same stage in this new experimental play. The play brings together the 400-year-old text of Hamlet with the 700-year-old shadow theatre for the first time. Ayhan Hulagu shared his creative process in detail at MIT- Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Harvard University
Harvard ArtLab, The Hrant Dink Memorial CMES Fund, and The US Karagoz Theatre Company brought together a series of programs at Harvard University featuring artist Ayhan Hulagu, combining research, performance, and new work development in traditional Turkish shadow theatre.
The first program, presented in 2019 by The Hrant Dink Memorial CMES Fund, included a talk and performance centered on a 120-year-old shadow theatre collection discovered in Aleppo, Syria. Hulagu introduced the history and symbolic language of Turkish shadow theatre through Karagöz and Hacivat, concluding with a live performance using original antique figures—marking their return to the stage after more than a century.
The second program took place in 2023 at Harvard ArtLab, where Hulagu was invited as a guest artist for a two-week residency to develop a new shadow theatre work, later presented to Boston audiences.
The final program, held in 2026, featured The Other Side of Hollywood, presented by CMES, Hayalhane-i Osmani, and The US Karagoz Theatre Company. A free adaptation of Deli Dumrul, the performance reimagines the story in a contemporary setting, with Karagöz navigating a symbolic bridge between life and death. Bringing together two UNESCO-recognized traditions, the work creates a cross-cultural dialogue between past and present.
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University of California
American folktale in Anatolian theatre
The Prince and His Private Raincloud is a theatrical adaptation of Monica Shannon’s 1926 fable, reimagined through the storytelling traditions of Meddah and Turkish Shadow Play. This unique performance blends a classic American folktale with elements of Traditional Turkish Theatre, creating a cross-cultural and visually engaging experience.
The play was co-directed by Ayhan Hulagu and Mehmet Özbek as part of a pre-doctoral research project titled:
“American Myths/Folktales from the Perspective of Traditional Turkish Theatre Components: A Performance-Led, Intermediality-Based Practice, with Facial Expression Analysis.”
The project is supported by the TÜBİTAK 2219 Overseas Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program and conducted at the University of California.
In addition to its creative adaptation, the project incorporates facial expression analysis technology to explore how audiences emotionally respond to traditional performance techniques in a contemporary context. This innovative research brings together cultural heritage, performance, and technology in a meaningful and accessible way.
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Stanford University
Turkish Solo Theatre
As part of a special cultural event hosted by Stanford University, Ayhan Hulagu performed his original shadow play The Forest of the Witch, drawing from the rich traditions of Turkish shadow theatre. The event was sponsored by the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies and the Middle Eastern Studies Forum. Following the performance, Hulagu held a Q&A session, where he responded to the audience’s questions about the history, techniques, and cultural significance of traditional Turkish shadow puppetry — a performing art recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Everything from the staging to the storytelling was carefully planned and presented in alignment with the traditional format of this centuries-old art form.
Click here-Stanford University
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Cornell University
Anatolian Solo Theatre
The Turkish programs at Cornell University were pleased to host Traditional Turkish Theatre with Ayhan Hulagu and the U.S. Karagoz Theatre Company. The event offered an opportunity to explore the world of Turkish solo theatre and traditional shadow play in an informal and engaging setting.
Ayhan Hulagu shared what he has learned over the years about the history and structure of Anatolian theatre, including its characters, themes, and performance style. He spoke about how these storytelling traditions have been passed down through generations and how they continue to inspire new audiences today. He also reflected on his own experiences performing in the United States — including productions inspired by traditional forms — and spoke about what it has been like to introduce shadow theatre to different communities across the country.
The event created space for meaningful conversation and cultural exchange. Participants had the chance to ask questions, learn about the craft, and see how these time-honored traditions can still connect with people today. It was a warm and memorable gathering made possible by the shared interest in storytelling and performance.
Click here- Cornell University
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Shanghai Theatre Academy
A Contemporary Interpretation of traditional theater
Zehra Haliloğlu, a master’s thesis writer at Shanghai Theater Academy, has delved into Ayhan Hulagu’s creative production in the context of intercultural studies and modern essays on Karagöz. Her thesis specifically analyzes Dream of Hamlet, a groundbreaking production that was staged on Broadway and marked the first-ever Turkish adaptation of Shakespeare’s play in the history of Turkish theater. Haliloğlu’s thesis highlights Dream of Hamlet as one of the finest examples of modernization in traditional theater through Hulagu’s innovative production approach. It sheds light on the unique artistic and cultural significance of this pioneering work within the realm of intercultural studies and modern essays on Karagöz.
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Other universities where Ayhan Hulagu has been involved:
Princeton University – University of Hawaii – Northwestern University – The University Of Texas – University of Connecticut – University of New York – University of Maryland – University of Michigan – University of Pittsburgh – Murray State University – Susquehanna University – Wake Forest University – John Carroll University – William & Mary – University of Minnesota