Today we’d like to introduce you to Rami Abushhab.
Hi Rami, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started my senior year of high school when my school decided to put on a play. I had never acted before but was drawn into auditioning for whatever reason. At the time, I played varsity basketball as well so it was kinda like High School Musical where my head was in the game but my mind was on theater. I’m not saying I’m Zach Efron (I’m a much better shooter) but we’re like neck and neck right now.
After auditioning, I got the lead and the second I stepped foot on stage I fell in love. I denied it for a while until my sophomore year of college when I decided I wanted to pursue this with everything I have. I ended up graduating from my university with two bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Political Science (I know, I went the completely opposite direction) and started going to theater school a week after graduation.
I then attended a full-time Meisner acting program at Green Shirt Studio in Chicago, where I learned under Andrew Gallant. That man taught me EVERYTHING I know, including believing in myself. I graduated the program and have been training ever since. I’m always taking a class, I’m always trying to get better! I started doing plays around the city at places like Collaboraction and other spots which I absolutely loved. Eventually, I made a smooth transition to film and television which is where I’m at now!
I also picked up standup comedy along the way and I have fallen in love yet again. I wish there was a cool story to how I started standup but I literally just woke up one morning and decided to go to an open mic at the IO Theater in Chicago. I bombed MISERABLY! However, I didn’t think I was bad. I told myself that I could get good at this if I keep on putting in the work. And that is exactly what I did!
Now I’ve performed all over North America and even went on tour with my comedy group, Terminal Five. We’ve sold out so many shows across the country with over 1,000 tickets sold. It’s been absolutely insane and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say the road has necessarily been smooth but the rockier the road the more worth it the destination will be. I think when you take the path less traveled, it won’t be easy but it will be worth it.
I faced and still face many struggles whether it be internally or externally. As a son of Palestinian immigrants, it was rough when I initially told my family I wanted to be an actor and comedian. It’s not that they didn’t want me to pursue my dream, they just had never seen it done before. They come from a country where that wasn’t an option for them so I completely understood their doubts on it all.
However, on top of these internal struggles, there’s still the externals. By that, I mean the struggle of being an Arab man trying to make it in Hollywood. I think so often we look at minorities as only one thing in film and TV and it’s hard to not get stereotyped or typecast. I could go for days about my experiences with this but the point is that none of it has stopped me. I’m still going strong, I still believe. So dream on my friends.
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 standup comedian!
I have done lots of film work, maybe 30 or so productions, whether they were short or feature films. One of which, was an official selection of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. I’ve been acting professionally for about 8 years now and doing standup comedy for almost 4.
When it comes to standup, I’m mostly known for my crowd work, I love to have fun on stage and create moments the audience won’t forget. As a Chicago Public School student, I tend to roast people a lot and it’s definitely translated to the stage. I’m a storyteller by nature and that makes up the majority of my material on top of some observational stuff as well!
As a screenwriter, I love telling stories that are compelling to me. I feel as though the more specific I am, the more universal I can become. Everyone relates to something, whether the story is told through the eyes of an Arab man or not. I’ve currently piled on a bunch of scripts and will go into production for one of them very soon!
I think what separates me from others is the way I was brought up. Growing up in Chicago, we interact with all sorts of people. I was always surrounded by diversity since I was a child which makes me very cultured and aware now. I think this really shows in my work as I’m able to connect with audiences from all backgrounds because of it.
I also think I’m very relentless, rejection doesn’t stop me. Failing doesn’t stop me. I learn from it all and keep going.
What matters most to you? Why?
My family. Without them, none of this matters. They kickstarted my career and I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it wasn’t for them. They know who they are.
I’m aware that everything in this life is temporary and I’m not chasing anything superficial. It’ll all go eventually. The only thing that’s actually owned in this life are moments in time and I pray the moments I’ve made with people last forever and are remembered in a positive way.
I want to be an artist and make a good living to support my family, I want to make them proud. Everything else is noise.
I also think it’s very important to represent my people, this matters a lot to me. I want to show the world that we can do it too, and I want the next generation coming up to have an easier time making it in entertainment with a door I could possibly open. I think it really matters to show the world that I am a Muslim, Palestinian man who is in entertainment. I want to normalize us being here, I think that’s very important.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm10517636/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramiabushhab/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCA0V2_HH92cNO4CEqL1r4kg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ramiabushhab?lang=en
Image Credits
Elizabeth Stenholt Nick Abad Álvaro Ojeda Momo Khan
