Performing and Visual Art
I might not call myself an artist, but art touches every aspect of my everyday life; from waking up with songs already stuck in my head, or doodling as a device to enhance my focus, to acting on stage to broaden my experience of the human condition. Art is in everything. It's in the sounds we hear around us, the colors and shapes we see, the emotions we feel, and the words we speak.
I have dabbled in many an art form and medium, from street graffiti to stage combat, so it's near impossible to pick favorites. Instead, in the coming sections, I will go for more encompassing nomenclature.
My first ever street art piece in Beirut, Lebanon at the age of 17. It said "Rise and Change." Credit also goes to my tag buddy at the time "Skye"
Music
I was late to discover music because I grew up in a conservative household. I did not discover Pink Floyd till I was 16 years old. Even more surprising is that that happened only a few months after I discovered I could sing. More recently, having realized that I live in an age where not knowing how to read music or play an instrument is no longer a barrier to making music. So, I will soon be recording my musical debut. Stay tuned, and until then, check out Memphis Records, my favorite up and coming record label.
Attempting to play the piano after only three lessons
Theater
I found the theater, or maybe the theater found me, by coincidence in elementary school. My school was putting on a play as part of a national drama competition and needed actors. My Arabic language teacher, at the time, recommended me to the drama teacher because I had good diction and was not afraid of public speaking. After days of back and forth, meetings, and negotiations between my parents, who were not interested in the idea at all, and the school administration, I played my first role. Being involved and closely related to theater and the theatrical arts for this many years, I have had the privilege of doing everything: acting, directing, design, technical directing, stage management, etc. As a result, I have picked up an invaluable arsenal of transferrable skills that I believe have contributed to my success greatly! Keep an eye on my blog for more writings on that subject.
My appearance as Frank Scanlon in The American University in Cairo's production of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" directed by the incomparable Mark (Coach) Mineart.
Scenes from "Minein Agib Nas (Is Anybody Out There) " directed by the late and great Mahmoud El-Louzy
Weilding a rapier and about to make "traveling music" in stage combat