Murat Ozcan is the Artistic Director of Brooklyn Acting Lab and a director, producer, educator, and actor with a truly global artistic journey. Born in Turkey, Murat trained at the Izmir Academy of Fine Arts before following his curiosity to Paris, where he spent over twenty years creating, directing, and performing theater. That same spirit of curiosity eventually brought him to New York City, where Brooklyn Acting Lab was born.
In 2008, Murat co-founded BAL with a simple but powerful idea: young people learn best through play, imagination, and meaningful creative work. Since then, he has helped build a joyful, rigorous, and welcoming space where kids and teens can grow as artists and as humans.
Murat’s approach puts the actor at the center. In the classroom and rehearsal room, that means encouraging students to trust their instincts, take creative risks, and fully express themselves. His teaching blends structure and discipline with exploration, imagination, and a lot of fun.
As a director, Murat has worked across New York and internationally, with productions at The Mark O’Donnell Theater, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Florence Gould Hall, Theater for the New City, and HERE Arts Center. But at BAL, his focus is always on the students—creating experiences where they feel seen, supported, and inspired.
At the heart of Murat’s work is a belief that theater should be simple, honest, and human. Whether a student is stepping on stage for the first time or developing more advanced skills, his goal is the same: to help each actor find their voice, connect with others, and discover the joy of storytelling.
