Maha Chehlaoui

Maha Chehlaoui is happy to be back in the fold after a short break from the festival. A long-time actor, director, and consultant for the sketch nights, Maha has been involved with the festival since year one.

Directing credits: For Nibras Arab-American Theater Collective: "Sajjil: Record" (Best Ensemble, Fringe NYC 2003), "Macklubeh" by Sami Metwasi and "Palestine" by Najla Said for "Actd for Palestine" which she produced as Artistic Director of Nibras, a position she held until 2005. During that time, Maha held readings of works by writers including Nathalie Handal, Yussef El-Guindi and Rana Kazkaz and oversaw a workshop series in support of Arab performance artists co-led by Leila Buck. Together they led a workshop in devising work through interview and improvisation at the Miami Dade University. For the NYAACF, Maha oversaw the sketch nights, offered Nibras as a producing body and also directed "Sajjil", "The Panel," and "Live! With Pascale and Chantal" which went on to be a hit at the NY Fringe fest.

Select Theater Credits: Anitra in "Peer Gynt" opposite Mark Rylance at The Guthrie, MN, Intisar in "Betrayed" at the Culture Project, and Bianca in "Othello" at the Pioneer Theater, UT, Bianca in Andrei Serban's "Taming of the Shrew" at LaMama. At Edinburgh, 2007 "Girlblog From Iraq: Baghdad Burning" nominated Best Ensemble.

Select Film/TV Credits: Fatima in "Toe to Toe" which premiered at Sundance this year, the upcoming Justice Squad, Law and Order: SVU, Rescue Me, and Third Watch.