Today we’d like to introduce you to Myriam Ali-Ahmad
Hi Myriam, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Lebanon in a beautifully collectivistic society as a child with social anxiety was not an easy task. I struggled a lot to express myself and my feelings, leading me to always bottle up my emotions. After my mom technically forced me to take theatre classes at school to overcome my shyness, I found the medium that would help me release everything that was stuck inside of me, and the art that would help me express myself. I had found my passion. But little did I know that I had also found my future career. However, the main goal behind why I was made to take theatre classes was not achieved. I was still struggling with crippling anxiety and shyness, to the point that it made me change my major in university and go for my second option: psychology. Through psychology, however, life rerouted me back to theatre and acting in projects and a theatre ensemble (The Red Bridge) that specialized in social theatre – a perfect match between theatre and psychology. I was back on track but still lacked the full confidence. When I was taking an acting workshop in Cairo with renowned British director Di Trevis, she noticed something special in me and encouraged me to pursue my professional training, and through her humbling and generous support and mentorship, I ended up completing my training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles where I received the Charles Jehlinger’s Award, an award given to honour recipients’ excellence as an actor and human being. Previous recipients include Robert Redford, Grace Kelly, Danny DeVito, Spencer Tracy, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain. My training and my work in different theatre and film projects have further shaped my goal in my career, which was already based on social justice, due to the fact that my life experiences have been shaped by “Middle Eastern” politics, but also due to my background in psychology and my work in humanitarian organizations and non-profits. My leading goal in my career is to use my talents and skills to contribute to the changing of the world through projects that directly tackle causes I care about and believe in. I vow to use my voice and dedicate my career to the Palestinian fight for liberation and to fighting all forms of oppression.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has certainly not been a smooth road, and had it been a smooth road, the wins wouldn’t have been as gratifying. Some of the challenges I have faced were, as mentioned before, my social anxiety and shyness. A combination of the acting “bug” as we call it (or the unescapable urge for acting and theatre) with my social anxiety felt like a curse. But through theatre itself, I had to throw myself out there, way out of my comfort zone and face my fears which made me overcome them. Another struggle was having to leave my country, life, family and friends behind and start from 0 in a new country where I am a minority for the first time. And last but not least, my strong political stand against imperialism and oppression of indigenous people all around the world, which unfortunately, gets in the way of some opportunities in this industry. But that is something I would never compromise on, as it falls completely out of my set of values.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an actor, writer and producer for both theatre and film. Previous theatre credits include Lord of the Flies (Jack), All My Sons (Kate), Vinegar Tom (Alice), and August Osage County (Violet.) Film credits include lead role in the award winning independent feature film “The Sovereign”. The projects I love and am the most passionate about are the projects that highlight my Arab culture (such as “Next Exit: Little Arabia” directed by Mahmoud AboBaker) and the projects that are dedicated for causes I believe in. One thing I am very proud of is having won the Charles Jehlinger’s Actor Award which has been previously won by industry giants like Robert Redford, Grace Kelly, Danny DeVito, Spencer Tracy, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain.
My most recent work and the one I am most proud of so far is “Handala” a solo theatre performance that I wrote and produced, on top of being the sole performer in. It is one of the Hollywood Fringe Scholarship winners of 2024 and just won The Best Solo Show at the Hollywood Fringe Awards. “Handala” takes audiences on a journey in Palestine, sailing from one Palestinian to another, telling the real story of Palestine, through the eyes of its dignified people.
For so long, Palestinians specifically and Arabs in general have been reduced to either victims or terrorists, a narrative that has been reinforced by the horrors in Gaza and the West Bank. Through this show, I want to challenge and shift this narrative all while introducing the public to the rich and beautiful culture and people of Palestine, reminding us what we are fighting for.
In and of itself, this project is an act of resistance against cultural erasure. Against those who wish to destroy our stories and our history.
Handala will also be at Philadelphia’s 2024 Cannonball Festival and will hopefully be announcing more tour dates soon including in North Carolina, New York, and San Francisco.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As previously mentioned, I was a very shy kid growing up but I was also very goofy and playful (hence my love for theatre and plays.) I was dedicated, passionate, ambitious with a deep and strong sense of justice. I could not and still cannot stand still against injustices.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myrr.i.am/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12560194/
Image Credits
Lee Fitzjames, Karl Sonnenberg, Rebecca Van Bockern, Desiree Roy
