For previous participants, see the Bio Archive.

Born in the Great State of New Jersey, Dean's comedy comes in large part from his unique background of being the son of a Palestinian father and a Sicilian mother. Dean, an award winning comedian who was at one time a practicing attorney, has appeared on Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil" Comedy special and is the co-creator of Comedy Central.com's critically acclaimed Internet series "The Watch List" featuring a cast of all Middle Eastern-American comedians performing stand up and sketch comedy.  

Maysoon Zayid is an actress and professional standup comedian, who received her BFA in acting from Arizona State University. She is the co-founder and co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and can be seen on Comedy Central's The Watch List, PBS's America at a...  

NEW YORK: Lieutenant of Inishmore (assistant director, Broadway), Meanwhile, in Baghdad (New York International Fringe Festival), Love Match (Arab American Comedy Festival)... 

Nilou Safinya is delighted to be a part of the NYAACF for the first time! She graduated from Columbia University with a dual BA in Theatre and Psychology, and is trying to tackle the NY theatre scene as an aspiring director. She is currently...  

Helen Cespedes is thrilled to join the NYAACF production team! Later this month, she will be graduating from Barnard College with a BA in Comparative Literature. While she enjoys working behind the scenes, Helen is also an experienced performer and is eager to start acting professionally... 

Stefano Zazzera is happy to provide sound design services to the festival once more. As a sound designer and composer, Stefano has worked for Cedar Lake Dance, The Lincoln Center Institute, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Barrow Group and more...  

Aaron Alcodray's penchant for satire began long before his formal study as an English major at The University of Michigan-Dearborn. As early as elementary school, Aaron's parents were frequently called in to discuss with brevity their son's depiction of minorities in his short stories and poetry... 

Ahmed Ahmed (Comedian) Egyptian-born, California-raised, was a guest on ABC's The View, Comedy Central, was the subject of a front-page Wall Street Journal article, and appeared in Newsweek. In addition, Ahmed has guest starred in Roseanne, Tracy Takes On, and MTV's Punk'd, and has had roles in numerous movies, including Executive Decision. Ahmed performs regularly at L.A.'s world-famous Comedy Store, and headlines nationally. 

Alia Tarraf is a sketch actress and stand-up comedienne who has been featured on MTV, in Glamour magazine and in commercials and industrial films where she has played every ethnicity known to man. She spoke at 2009's Diwan: A Forum for the Arts at the Arab American National Museum... 

Credits include: Theatre: Inana (Denver Center Theatre); There or Here (Hypothetical Theatre NYC); Rafta, Rafta (The New Group); War (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater); The Power of Darkness (Mint Theatre); Betrothed (Ripe Time); Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Lark Play Development Center)... 

Amanda Baramki's dry wit and off kilter perspective led David Manning of The Ridgefield Press to call Baramki, "laugh out loud hilarious!" Baramki generally delights her audiences with musings...
 

Amer Zahr is a Palestinan-American currently living in Michigan. His comedy comes from his experiences and thoughts growing up as an Arab-American. Amer has been performing stand-up for 4 years and before that was an active pro-Palestinian voice. His activism included dozens of published writings and appearances on TV, including two appearances on ABC's Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. 

Recipient of the 2008 Variety Middle East Filmmaker of the year, Amin Matalqa is a Los Angeles-based writer and director. His first feature film, Captain Abu Raed won the Audience Award for World Cinema at Sundance in 2008 and went on to win 27 other prestigious international awards including... 

Aron likes to thank his Palestinian father and Mormon mother for giving him so many reasons to be a comedian. Raised in the Washington D.C. area Aron moved to Hollywood at nineteen years old to pursue comedy and acting. Known for his political and social humor... 

Baha Khalil is a Palestinan-American who was born and raised in South Paterson (Little Palestine), NJ. His stand up stems from his experiences stuck between two worlds, Arab & American. By day he's works in IT in an Office Space like cubicle but at night breaks away from it all with his humour. 

Specializing in sketch and character-driven comedy, Neil and Bethel have written and performed close to a dozen original shows across the country. Shows include: The Grey Area, loosely based on their relationship, Legs Wide Shut at the Bank Street Theater, Insomnia... 

Film & TV: You Don't Mess With the Zohan, Syriana, Habibi, "Guiding Light," "Tough Crowd" with Colin Quinn, and "Law and Order" twice. New York Theater credits include: Masked at the DR2; (I am) Nobody's Lunch... 

Eman a Palestinian-Canadian from Montreal started stand-up 2 1/2 years ago right here in NYC. In her 1st year she founded and co-produces the successful monthly show BOOM (Best of the Open Mic) in Montreal. She has opened for the Axis of Evil tour in Ottawa... 

Eman Morgan, an Egyptian American comedian is quickly becoming the iconic symbol of what it stands for to be 'The Complete Arab Comedian'. What started as a wish and a dream has now become his life and success... 

Off Broadway: Eat the Taste by Greg Kotis and directed by John Clancy at Barrow Street Theatre; Yeast Nation by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman, workshop production at SoHo Playhouse. Regional: John Drew Theater, Merle Reskin, Warehouse Theater in SC, Berkshire Theatre Festival... 

Haythem Noor was born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in Italy. He moved to the U.S. in 1995. Haythem was exposed to acting at a very young age from watching Egyptian black and white movies with his mother. "I kept watching movies for the same actor for a number of years. Later on I learned that this actor is my mother's brother, legend Kamal Elshinnawi" he says... 

Born and Raised in the Middle East, Hend moved to NYC three years ago and has since co-starred in the Emmy award winning film Death of a President, Comedy Central's "The Watch List," the past three New York Arab-American Comedy Festivals... 

J.J. El-Far is a Jordanian-American producer and director, and a new addition to the festival. As a candidate for an M.F.A. in Directing at The New School for Drama, she recently directed Waiting for Lefty at The Cell Theatre... 

Jacob Kader was born in Provo, Utah to a Palestinian Father and a Mormon Mother. His family moved from Utah to Reston, Virginia where he grew up the youngest of four brothers, which made him very sensitive. He has performed Stand-up and Improv comedy in New York and appeared in the play Grenade in the 2004 New York Arab-American Comedy Festival. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two cats.  

Jimmy Goson is one of the very few comedians in the United States of Lebanese heritage. Originally from Akron, Ohio, Jimmy has performed at comedy clubs such as the Improv and Comedy Store across the country and delighted audiences with stories of his family upbringing that appeals to all ages. Jimmy has performed for many charities such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Retinitis Pigmentosa, numerous organizations and business conferences. 

Joe DeRosa started his stand-up comedy career in Philadelphia during the winter of 2001. He soon relocated to New York City and began working at venues such as Stand-up New York, the Comic Strip, and Gotham Comedy Club. He also made appearances on "Last Call with Carson Daly," Comedy...  

Johanna McKeon is thrilled to return to the festival after directing Lameece Issaq's Nightly Neighborhood News last year at The Zipper. Credits include the most recent Drama League Benefit honoring Stewart Lane (Rainbow Room), Anne Washburn's I Have Loved Strangers...  

Born and raised in the great state of New Jersey by Lebanese immigrant parents, Joyce is thrilled to be a part of this year's festival! She has been trained in stand up comedy writing and performance at Gotham Writers Workshop, and in improvisational comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater...  

Kareem Fahmy is thrilled to be working with the NYCAAF for the first time. A Canadian native, he is a graduate of McGill University and of Columbia University where he received an MFA in theatre directing. Directing credits, New York: Love Dr. Mueller...  

Laith just made his debut at the Denver Center. Off Broadway credits: Sinan Unel's 'CRY OF THE REED' at the Huntington Theater, Lars Noren's 'WAR' at the Rattlestick. TV credits include: THIRD WATCH, LAW AND ORDER CI, SOPRANOS, RESCUE ME and TRAVELER... 

The Black Eyed, New York Theatre Workshop; Girl Blog From Iraq: Baghdad Burning, Barrow Street Theater/Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Stage Theater Award Nomination, Outstanding Ensemble); Dinner Game, New York Arab-American Comedy Festival; Stuff Happens, Public Theater (Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Ensemble); Details of Silence, Symphony Space; "A" Date, New York Arab-American Comedy Festival... 

Lena Rizkallah, a Palestinian-American, made her acting debut in Live With Pascal and Chantal! at the 2003 NYAACF and the 2004 NYC International Fringe Festival. Lena wrote and acted in Layla's Sahra for the 2004 NYAACF, and later co-produced...  

Egyptian-American comedian Maria Shehata performs at clubs and universities all over the country. Maria's sharp and original stand-up, combined with her quick wit and crowd pleasing conversational delivery has brought her appearances in NY's Arab-American Comedy Festival, the Emerging Comics... 

Born to Palestinian Lebanese and Egyptian parents, Marie-Thérèse Abou-Daoud still decided to major in English and Theatre at Rutgers College. After acting and writing (even a stint of directing) and lots of living in New York, she decided to give the land of fat free milk and organic, carb free honey-that's right, Hollywood-a try. 

Growing up with a last name that gets commonly mistaken for calamari and a first name that gets substituted with eleven other months (seriously guys, it's not funny anymore), May El Calamawy was born and raised in Bahrain to an Egyptian father and a Palestinian mother...
 

Meena Dimian has been climbing the NYC comedy circuit in leaps and bounds. His lovable and stimulating appeal has caught the attention of audiences and industry figures since his first step on stage. Meena's comedy engages the audience while finding big laughs at every hilarious observation...  

Born and raised in NY to Egyptian parents, Michele is now a happy Brooklynite. Along with her love of sketch comedy (this is her 3rd year with the NY Arab-American Comedy Festival) she continues to fervently seek out socially conscious material in both film and theater. Favorite roles... 

Mike Batayeh is a native of Detroit, Michigan who is of Jordanian descent. He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA where is a working Comedian/Actor/Writer. As a writer he has two screenplays, one of which is in process to be produced... 

Mohamed Masoud is an Egyptian comic born and raised in NJ. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and received his doctorate from UMDNJ. He made his debut as a comedian at the age of 18 and has since then performed with many comedians such as Ahmed Ahmed, "The Watch List", "The Big Brown Comedy Hour". 

Nasry Malak is a very funny comedian who has been in the entertainment industry for eight years. His humor is best described as the outside man looking in. His material is very creative and original. 

Negin Farsad is the director/executive producer of the upcoming feature film, Nerdcore Rising (a documentary about Nerdcore hip hop). She recently developed and wrote the MTV broadcast pilot and web series, "Detox." She also directed/produced the Comedy Central series... 

Neil Malik Abdullah is a professional and international actor from Germany. He recently acted in the movie "Chico" which is in post production and produced by Fathi Akin. He also worked in international productions like "Hamburg Cell" and the German TV-Show "GSG9", which was shown in more than 13 countries... 

Nicholas Kattar is an actor, writer and musician of Lebanese descent. He is currently writing his first screenplay and is also in the process of getting some commercial ideas produced. In 2004 he received his Bachelor's of Music degree in piano and songwriting from Berkley College of Music... 

Noel Elgrably grew up in the nation's capital but left his day-job selling insurance to pursue his calling as a stand-up comedian in Los Angeles. The son of a French-Moroccan father and Moroccan-Israeli mother, he offers an original comedic...  

Osh Ghanimah is rooted in Palestine, Detroit-born, Chicago-raised, and an overjoyed, New York transplant. He is elated to be making his NYAACF debut. Most recently, he was seen in Meanwhile In Baghdad, NYC Fringe 2008... 

Pete Dominick is the host of "Stand Up with Pete Dominick" on Sirius XM satellite radio's POTUS politics station everyday. Pete is also the audience warm up comedian at The Colbert Report on Comedy Central....
 

For the last 15 years, PDM has been an established actor, voice-over talent and stand-up comedian that recently filmed his own sitcom pilot titled, "Meet Pete". Always a favorite on stage, PDM puts out a show packed with fresh material, great impressions and tremendous delivery! 

Ramsey has just completed filming the lead in the domestic drama She's Already Gone and in the new series The Unusuals. Due out later this year is The Standard Man and The Greatest where he plays opposite Susan Sarandon. He has worked with Al Pacino, George Clooney, Sean Penn... 

Rasha is excited to be returning for her second year with NYAACF. In last year's festival she was seen in the skits Pharaoh and Spam: A Love Letter. She just closed her show The Less We Talk playing at the... 

Remy is a YouTube content partner and creates videos for his channel, some of which are entertaining. His works include "McDonald's: The Rap," "Hey There Khalilah," "A-R-A-B," and "Tabbouleh Song"...  

Ronnie Khalil has headlined across four continents, performing with the "Axis of Evil", "Arabs Gone Wild" , "Sultans of Satire", and taped two "Friday Night Live" Showtime Comedy specials in Dubai, including "Minorities Rule" and "New World Order." He has performed in sold-out shows across the Middle East... 

Ryan Jaber is a Lebanese-American born and raised in Dearborn, MI. He has enjoyed comedic writing as far back as he can remember. He has continued writing both as an undergrad at the University of Michigan and currently while at Dartmouth Medical School... 

Sarah Siadat is a recent graduate from Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Theater Performance, She is a native from Oregon but holds dear her half Saudi half Persian roots. She was recently seen in, The best party ever, the first annual Noor Festival... 

New York: Betrayed, Now Boarding, Caravan Man, Regression Therapy, I Know You, Perez Hilton Saves the Universe, A New Brain, Nate the Great. Selected Regional: Evita, Rumors, City of Angels, Into the Woods...
 

Since his return to stand up comedy in late 2006, Egyptian-American stand up comedian Sherif Hedayat has managed to keep busy. He was one of 72 comedians selected to compete in Comedy Central's Open Mic Fight in 2007. Also in 2007, he opened for the Axis Of Evil Comedy Tour...  

Sherri was born next to a swamp with a view of Giants Stadium, aka "the Meadowlands". Her parents named her when she was four days old by drawing "Sherri" from a hat two out of three times. She now calls herself an actress, singer/songwriter, model... 

Raised in the bomb shelters of Beirut, Tamar Da Star is a force to be reckoned with. Her bold and brassy personality, which she erected while doing gritty roles in San Francisco theatre, would shy away any drag queen. Her writing and performing has been featured on MTV and Glamour Magazine...  

Tracy C. Francis is an Egyptian American director and actress. She is happy to be working with the Arab Comedy Festival again as it is the only place where her degree in Middle East studies and theatre makes perfect sense...  

Zaynab Asaadi is a British Iraqi, born and bred in London, UK. She uses humour to draw on her experiences of being a Muslim Iraqi woman in England and New York. She currently works in Risk Management... 

Just finished playing Demetrius in Midsummer Night's Dream last month at the Impact Theatre (Brooklyn). Before that, as Smirnov in Columbia University's production of Chekhov's The Bear . Also seen at the Fringe NYC'07 in the successful...