NEWS

Fresh off our Best Experimental Film win at the Boden International Film Festival in Sweden, Mariam Meliksetyan's documentary film Say My Name will have its U.S. premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on October 19th. Get tickets here. Say My Name was also nominated for Best Documentary Film at the ARPA International Film Festival and will screen at the famous Harmony Gold Theater and online. Learn more here.

On September 17th The Music Center will be hosting a Black Bar Social for the film iteration of Mashinka Firunts Hakopian's One Who Looks at the Cup. The film is directed by Atlas Acopian and accompanies the REDCAT  exhibition on view. The event on the 17th is FREE and includes Armenian coffee and refreshments in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. RSVP for the Black Bar Social here and the ticketed A More Than Human Tongue experience now through November 3rd here.

I'm honored to be part of artist and dear friend Mashinka Firunts Hakopian's piece in the new REDCAT exhibition All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace. This piece explores alternative paths for the future of AI technology rooted in diverse conceptions of technology, cognition, and life. RSVP for the opening reception and learn more about the installation and other events here.

I spent an unforgettable week in Utah at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta as part of the Kayenta New Play Lab. It was such a gift to explore the prose of Sarahjeen François under the direction of Donna Simone Johnson alongside Daphne Gabriel and Latoya Cameron! This staged reading of Mama's Dresses / A Dress for Mama is performed in the Lorraine Boccardo Theatre at 7:30pm and Saturday at 4pm. Learn more here.

Coin & Ghost's HUNNYSWEET: An Adult Adventure Through the Hundred Acre Wood returns for an encore performance September 16th fresh off our win at this year's Hollywood Fringe Awards! Get tickets here and view production photos here.

I have the privilege of heading off to Utah to help develop the new play Mama's Dresses / A Dress for Mama by Sarahjeen François under the direction of Donna Simone Johnson as part of the Kayenta New Play Lab! This staged reading will be performed in the Lorraine Boccardo Theatre in the Center for the Arts at Kayenta at 7:30pm, August 16th and 4pm, August 17th. Learn more here.

The screening of Live at the Porpentine: A Comedy of Errors at the Valley Film Festival was SOLD OUT and a wonderful night of celebration. Learn about the Festival here and the film here.

Mariam Meliksetyan's documentary film Say My Name is won Best Experimental Film at the Boden International Film Festival in Sweden! The film explores the experiences of individuals whose names have been deemed "difficult" by western standards. Learn more about BIFF and our film here and stay tuned for future screenings!

I had a blast reading stage directions for Gloria Oladipo's The Care and Keeping of Schizophrenia (and Other Demons) as part of Boston Court's New Play Reading Festival directed by Celia Mandela Rivera. Learn more here.

For two decades Stage Scene LA has honored Southern California theatre with the Scenies. Of 154 eligible productions this year, Coin & Ghost's Mama Mama Can't You See was honored with five awards! We won Outstanding Ensemble in a Play with Movement and Dance, Best Production of a Play, Best Direction of a Play with Movement and Dance, Best Choreography of a Play with Movement and Dance, and our Sound Designer Joseph "Sloe" Slawinski was honored for multiple productions! If you missed this powerful piece you can find production photos here, details here, and the full list of Scenies here.

Mariam Meliksetyan's documentary film Say My Name is now an Official Selection of Boden International Film Festival and is off to Sweden! The film explores the experiences of individuals whose names have been deemed "difficult" by western standards. Learn more about BIFF here and stay tuned for future screenings!

At this year's Hollywood Fringe Awards, Coin & Ghost's HUNNYSWEET: An Adult Adventure Through the Hundred Acre Wood won the Three Clubs Award which means...we'll be back for an encore performance! We also made the short list of five productions nominated for Best Musical.  View production photos here and check out the C&G landing page here.

Boys About Town #1 is an Official Selection of Athens Film Festival and will have its World Premiere Friday August 16th at 7pm. Watch the trailer for Part 1 here. Visit the festival page here and - if you happen to be in Georgia - purchase tickets here.

I was selected as a 2024 VoxLab Artist in Residence and spent the most incredible week resting, writing, and using resources for research at my alma mater Dartmouth College. VoxLab is an annual developmental arts laboratory focused on the work of Dartmouth alumni. My time culminated in a short staged reading performance of my work which was followed by a talk back. It is hard to articulate just how special and integral to the creation of this work this week at VoxLab has been; I look forward to sharing more soon!

Live at the Porpentine: A Comedy of Errors, is an official selection of the Valley Film Festival and will screen August 5th at 7:30pm. Get your tickets here and learn more about the film here.

It was an honor to be invited to the artEquity Black Playwrights Gathering hosted by Aleshea Harris and Dominique Morisseau on Juneteenth. I was blessed to have the opportunity to hold space with peers and legends whose work has informed my artistry. Read the press release here and learn more at artEquity here.

Boys About Town #1 picked up its first win at the 6th Annual Transparent Film Festival for Best Actor - Cole Ready! BAT was also nominated for Best No-Budget Feature and Best Director. Mike Cuenca's film (shot - and told - over the course of six years) is currently in post-production and will be released in four parts. Watch the trailer for Part 1 here, learn more about the festival here and film here.

Coin & Ghost's Hollywood Fringe production HUNNYSWEET: An Adult Adventure Through the Hundred Acre Wood has it's one and only preview tonight and only four shows after that on the 14-15 and 28-29 so grab your tickets here before they're gone! You won't want to miss this burlesque-filled romp through the Hundred Acre Wood friends, trust me! Use discount code OHBOTHER for $10 off. Check out the C&G landing page here.

That's a wrap on production for my third feature film Sugar, Directed by Harry L. Michaels Jr.! In our final shoot date I had the honor of going back to my roots as a singer and doing some live gospel. It has been such a gift to be part of a production by and for the Black community that uplifts and centers such a critical piece of the history of Black Angelenos. Recording three original tracks for the film was too special to fully articulate. Stay tuned for more info!

I had my second shoot date for the film Sugar in which I portray jazz singer Betty Songbird and wrapped all musical numbers for the three original tracks I pre-recorded for the film. Stay tuned for more info!

Boys About Town #1 will screen live on June 13th at 6pm at the Producer's Club in NYC as part of the 6th Annual Transparent Film Festival. Mike Cuenca's film (shot - and told - over the course of six years) is currently in post-production and will be released in four parts. Watch the trailer for Part 1 here, learn more about the festival here and film here.

I began shooting my third feature film Sugar, Directed by Harry L. Michaels Jr. Sugar explores the erased history of the Sugar Hill area of Los Angeles which became a hub of Black life before being destroyed my systemically racist eminent domain practices. I play jazz singer Betty Songbird and recorded three original tracks for the film. Stay tuned for more info!

Deeply grateful and thrilled to announce that I am one of five selected to be part of the 2024 CTG Leadership Circle Cohort, which was developed to uplift, celebrate, and support exceptional early- and mid-career CTG staff members. Read the press release here and BroadwayWorld article here.

Reuniting with my Coin & Ghost family on their Hollywood Fringe production HUNNYSWEET: An Adult Adventure Through the Hundred Acre Wood. Head to the Hollywood Fringe page and get your tickets here before they're gone. Check out the C&G landing page here.

I had a blast performing with the ISC house band The Prescription as part of my theatrical home Independent Shakespeare Co.'s annual gala! This year's theme was Saints & Sinners. To learn more and support our spring fundraising campaign head here.

What a gift it is to return as a speaker for Center Theatre Group's Going Pro Career Fair for the third year in a row. This year I spoke about Insurance and Survival Jobs to three groups of young theatre artists. You can learn more here. 

The International Armenian Literary Alliance (IALA)'s (Re)Membering: Armenian Writers Against Commemoration at Beyond  Baroque was a powerful night of art in action. You can learn more here and stream the full event here.

In honor of this year's Armenian Genocide commemoration and the ongoing nature of the genocide, I will be sharing some poetry and writing as part of the International Armenian Literary Alliance (IALA)'s (Re)Membering: Armenian Writers Against Commemoration at Beyond Baroque. You can learn more here and reserve your free tickets here.

It was wonderful to have such a lovely house at The Road Theatre Company for our staged reading performance of Chelsea Sutton's new poignant dark comedy I'll Be Your Villain, Directed by Carly DW Bones. Learn more about the Road's  Under Construction here.

I get to work with the brilliant Chelsea Sutton and Carly DW Bones as part of The Road Theatre Company's Under Construction Play Reading Series. Written by Sutton and Directed by Bones, you only have one night to catch this performance February 12th at 7:30pm. Purchase tickets here for a suggested donation of $15.

It was such a gift to reunite with my Rogue Artists family and perform and sing as Tamar the Mermaid for the one-night only immersive sideshow Carousel of Fools. This night at the historic 100-year old Santa Monica Pier Carousel was one to remember. Learn more here.

That's a wrap for my character Lisa on Mike Cuenca's guerrilla film triology Boys About Town (shot - and story told - over the course of six years). Learn more here.

It was beautiful to bring our run of Coin & Ghost's Mama Mama Can't You See to a close with our second consecutive sold out weekend! The audience response has been incredible and I will carry this experience and ensemble with me forever. You can read press here, find production photos here, and info here. Access the digital program here.

Coin & Ghost's Mama Mama Can't You See has returned from the holiday break for our final two weekends! After a powerful start, press and the word is out; after three consecutive sold out performances this weekend, our closing weekend WILL sell out. Don't miss it! You can read press here and find tickets & info here. Access the digital program here. We must close December 10th.

Coin & Ghost's Mama Mama Can't You See had an UNREAL Opening weekend of performances and received a Wow! review from StageSceneLA here, Stage Raw here,. Discover Hollywood here, and the Hollywood Progressive here. Find the Broadway World interview with Director Zachary Reeve Davidson here. Find information and buy tickets here. Access the digital program here. Performances run Thursdays-Sundays until December 10th.

Last spring I had the honor of being interviewed and photographed by artist Has Alexandra as part of her Our Divine Roots series exploring my identity, art, and connection to Griffith Park. You can check out the full feature here and photography here.

Coin & Ghost's Mama Mama Can't You See begins its Pay What You Can first weekend of performances with a SOLD OUT Opening Night! You can learn more about this powerful piece by reading the Broadway World interview with Director Zachary Reeve Davidson here. Find information and buy tickets here. Access the digital program here. Performances run Thursdays-Sundays November 10th to December 10th.

The poster has been released for Mariam Meliksetyan's documentary film Say My Name and features yours truly. The film explores the experiences of individuals whose names have been deemed "difficult" by western standards. Learn more about the film here and stay tuned for future screenings!

I received my first ever individual acting nomination for Best Comedy Actress at the UK's The Funny Life Film Festival for my performance as Luciana in Live at the Porpentine! Our film took home the awards for Best Director - David Melville, Best Cinematography - William Lancaster, and received additional acting nominations for Brent Charles, Xavi Moreno, Bukola Ogunmola, and Tonya Kay. Learn more about the film here.

Honored to announce I will be performing in Coin & Ghost's Mama Mama Can't You See. Mama Mama is a highly physical, sensual, funny, angry, and surreal meditation on modern warfare and the cost of telling a true story based on playwright Stan Mayer’s life as a U.S. Marine. Performances run Thursdays-Sundays November 10th to December 10th. You can learn more and purchase tickets here.

Center Theatre Group held the LA Theatre Summit at the Mark Taper Forum; an inspiring and unprecedented gathering in which local leaders and art makers in the Los Angeles theatre community had space to gather and discuss the state of theatre. I was honored on speak on behalf of the LA Anti-Racist Theatre Standards team, in addition to representing Blklst LA and Independent Shakespeare Co. 

Mike Cuenca's guerrilla film Boys About Town (a film shot - and story told - over the course of six years) has entered its final phase. The film will debut in three parts sometime next year. Learn more here.

It filled my spirit to join so many artists and leaders in the Armenian Community as a VIP guest at the first ever Armenian Film Festival. Armenian Film Society honored 100 years of Armenian filmmaking by kicking off the festival with the powerful film Amerikatsi directed by and starring Michael Goorjian. Get tickets to Amerikatsi here and the Armenian Film Festival which runs until September 10th, here.

I appear in Satellite Citi's latest music video Anxious Hearts directed by Rosie Geozalian! Music is a powerful way to explore our shared struggles and anxiety is something so many folks struggle with. Watch the full video here and stream the single here. You can also hear Satellite Citi locally on the radio on KROQ!

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and summer festival has come to a close! We welcomed roughly 2000 Angelenos to the closing night of our 20th season and it was magical in every sense; from our young fairies in the audience to our intermission dance parties that drew even more crowds - this was an unforgettable summer. Find production shots here and character shots here. Learn more about the summer festival here.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s A Midsummer Night's Dream has its press opening tonight at 7pm. Performances run Wednesdays-Sundays until September 3rd! Check out character shots here and production shots here. Learn more about the summer festival here.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s 20th summer season continues with A Midsummer Night's Dream! Performances run Wednesdays-Sundays until September 3rd! Learn more about the summer festival here.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s Julius Caesar only has FIVE PERFORMANCES LEFT! You won't want to miss this wonderfully reimagined and intense production in which our audience takes center stage! A Midsummer Night's Dream begins August 9th! Performances run Wednesdays-Sundays at 7pm. Check out reviews here. Learn more about the festival here.

Now that ISC's Julius Caesar has opened, rehearsals have begun for A Midsummer Night's Dream which begins August 9th! Performances run Wednesdays-Sundays at 7pm. Learn more about the festival here. Donate to my fundraiser here!

I reunited with my wonderful friend and collaborator Vincent Kirk for our fourth annual shoot! View the full set here.

Julius Caesar is officially open to the press! We run Wednesdays-Sundays at 7pm in the Old Zoo at Griffith Park until July 30th. A Midsummer Night's Dream begins August 9th! Learn more about the summer festival here. Donate to my fundraiser here!

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s 20th summer season begins with Julius Caesar! Julius Caesar runs Wednesdays-Sundays until July 30th. A Midsummer Night's Dream begins August 9th! Learn more about the summer festival here. Donate to my fundraiser here!

It was an incredible gift to be the model for We Are Charmhouse's Amot Chi campaign which celebrates the agency and unapologetic pride of Armenian women by reclaiming our freedom of expression and rejecting the label of "amot". Photography by Christina Naguib, lighting by Daniel Nathan, styled by Connor Chaos, makeup by Jin, and film production by Melanin Studio. View the full set here.

I am featured in AGBU Magazine's Armenian-ish article by Carolina Gazal as part of their June 2023 issue. Photo by Kristin Anahit Cass. I spoke about my identity, activism, and honoring my ancestors. You can read the digital issue here or pick up a hard copy.

Rehearsals for the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival have officially begun! Julius Caesar begins performances July 5th and runs Wednesdays-Sundays at 7pm until July 30th. A Midsummer Night's Dream begins August 9th. Come celebrate our 20th season with us! Learn more about the festival here. Donate to my fundraiser here!

Honored to return for another summer in Griffith Park with ISC in both Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Come celebrate our 20th season with us! Watch the cast announcement here. Donate to my fundraiser here!

A Midsummer Saturday Night's Fever Dream, Independent Shakespeare Co.'s disco themed 2023 annual fundraising gala, was a blast but we are still a ways from our fundraising goal! Last year I raised $1,500 with my personal fundraiser, so let's match or beat that number this year! Donate to my fundraiser here!

The Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act was reintroduced from the office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee as H.R. 3239! As one of the local theatre artists who co-authored the Bill, I am urging you to contact your representatives. You can read the Bill text here, press release here, and sign on as an endorser here.

After a SOLD OUT first print, We Are All Armenian is back in stock just in time for University of Texas Press' summer sale! Grab your copy which includes my essay Perspectives on Artsakh from a Black Armenian Angeleno and the works of so many brilliant Armenian writers at select sellers across the country or online here. Use the code "UTXSUMMER" for a 40% discount on hard copies and 50% discount on ebooks.

It was an honor to be featured as a guest in the very first Season of the SWANA Stories podcast produced by Kayhan Azadi. I spoke about my identity and work decolozing my craft and organizing. You can stream my episode here.

What a joy it was to be back for the second year in the row at Center Theatre Group's Going Pro Fair. This year I led my own audition workshop for current and recent college graduates in person, which was a lovely change from last year's virtual panel. You can read the Broadway World announcement here and learn more here. 

I was asked to give the closing lecture of Dr. Shushan Karapetian's The Armenian Heritage course at USC! In this lecture I broke down contemporary narratives on inclusivity and activism both within and in solidarity with the Armenian community. I also recorded an episode of Language Therapy with Dr. K, so stay tuned for that episode's release.

What a gift to return to Musical Mondays for the first time since the pandemic! I performed a rendition of "Class" from Chicago that I *slightly* rewrote to be more topical as part of A Cabaret of Fools - A Musical Theatre Comedy Night produced by Henry Alexander Kelly. Learn more about MuMo here.

In a divergence from the political and identity centered poetry I often perform, I shared some personal love poems as a headlining poet at Poets, Tea, & Pleasure. This wonderful gathering is hosted by Kiayla at The Glendale Room on Artsakh Street and features both booked poets and a few open mic slots. Learn more here.

Iambic Lab returns to Independent Shakespeare Co. in-person this year! Join us for four days of FREE programming at the ISC studio. I will be performing in the staged reading of Galatea by John Lyly on Feb. 24th and there will also be a screening of our feature film Live at the Porpentine: A Comedy of Errors (in which I play Luciana) on Feb. 26th. Learn more and reserve tickets here.

Iambic Lab returns to Independent Shakespeare Co. in-person this year! Join us for four days of FREE programming at the ISC studio. I will be performing in the staged reading of Galatea by John Lyly on Feb. 24th and there will also be a screening of our feature film Live at the Porpentine: A Comedy of Errors (in which I play Luciana) on Feb. 26th. Learn more and reserve tickets here.

It's an honor to have my piece Perspectives on Artsakh from a Black Armenian Angeleno published by University of Texas Press alongside so many brilliant and inspiring Armenian authors! You can now pick up your copy at select sellers across the country or order online here. Use the code "UTXM25" for a 25% discount.

I had a wonderful shoot with Las Vegas based photographer Alli Leiva-Topper as part of her Tarot series with other creative shots. Check them out here.

I had the honor of singing and performing poetry as part of the She Loves Collective “Shelter” installation's closing night vigil in honor of the 3,906 men AND women lost in the genocidal attack of 2020. You can still download my single "Scattered Arils" with proceeds now benefiting Armenian Food Bank here.

Thrilled to announce I have signed commercially with A3 Artists Agency.

I hopped on A Noise Within's production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing as the understudy for Hero. Much Ado runs February 5 - March 12th. Grab your tickets for this fun, fast paced production here.

After a SOLD OUT weekend our workshop production of White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour (directed by Bruce Lemon Jr., written by me, and devised by our ensemble) has come to an end. The response has been overwhelming and powerful; I am eternally grateful to everyone who held space with us during this limited run. Follow our play's development and to contribute to our fundraiser here.

ISC will be hosting Support Black Theatre Night at this Friday's performance which will be followed by a talkback facilitated by Sydney Rogers and a reception with food and drink from local Black owned businesses Big Man Bakes, Say Cheese, and McBride Sisters. Learn more about SBT here and our production here.

Word is out and tickets for White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour are going FAST! Our second and final weekend offers special post-show events. Friday will be Support Black Theatre Night and Saturday night's performance will be followed by a reception with the cast. Get your tickets before they are gone here.

Last year in September of 2021 I had the privilege of being interviewed by Araxie Cass for Azad Archives' Azad Sparks Series about my identity and organizing work within teh Armenian community. You can read the full article here.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour begins its limited run of 8 performances today! We run until October 30th Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Learn more and contribute to our production here.

The moment has arrived; Independent Shakespeare Co.'s workshop production of White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour will run for a limited engagement of 8 performances October 20-30th. This is an incredibly special project as I am playwright, devisor, and performer. Buy tickets and learn more here.

It was an honor to facilitate the Empower: Students, Arts, and Activism panel, mixer, and catalyst for USC students. This Arts in Action event was part of the University's Visions and Voices Initiative. Learn more about the event here.

Macbeth's run is coming to an end. Read our Stage Raw Recommendation here. Check out Grettel Cortes' production stills here and portraits shots here. Find Knight of the Burning Pestle reviews here and production stills here. Learn more about the festival here.

Macbeth continues our run Wednesdays through Sundays at 7pm until September 4th! Read our Stage and Cinema review here. Check out Grettel Cortes' production stills here and portraits shots here. Find Knight of the Burning Pestle reviews here and production stills here. Learn more about the festival and register here.

After a bloody first weekend of Macbeth performances, we are back Wednesdays through Sundays at 7pm until September 4th! Check out Grettel Cortes' production stills here and portraits shots here. Find Knight of the Burning Pestle reviews here and production stills here. Learn more about the festival and register here.

Independent Shakespeare Co. is back with our second and final production of the summer, Macbeth! We run Wednesdays through Sundays at 7pm until September 4th! Find Knight of the Burning Pestle reviews here and production stills here. Learn more about the festival and register here.

The beautiful joyride that is Knight of the Burning Pestle is coming to an end! Join us for our pre-show Faire this Saturday or any day this week! We must close on July 31st because Macbeth begins August 6th! Find reviews here and production stills here. Learn more about the festival and register here.

Pestle received another wonderful review and is now Stage Raw Recommended! Martίn Hernández noted, "Mekertichyan and Morales evince a credible charisma as the young lovers". Pestle runs for one more week Wednesday-Sunday at 7pm until July 31st and is followed by Macbeth. Check out production stills by Grettel Cortes here. Learn more about the festival and register here.

Pestle received a lovely review from Broadway World's Evan Henerson. Following this weekend, Pestle runs for two more weeks Wednesdays through Sundays at 7pm until July 31st and is followed by Macbeth. Check out production stills by Grettel Cortes here. Learn more about the festival and register here.

We had a wonderful first weekend of Pestle performances in Griffith Park and are back for our first full week of shows (and press opening!). Knight runs Wednesdays through Sundays at 7pm until July 31st and is followed by Macbeth. Check out my character portrait shots by Grettel Cortes here. Learn more about the festival and register here. Donate to my fundraiser here!

Our first show of the summer, Knight of the Burning Pestle, has begun performances in Griffith Park! Pestle runs Wednesdays through Sundays at 7pm until July 31st and is followed by Macbeth. Learn more about the festival and register here. Watch the cast announcement here. Donate to my fundraiser here!

I had my 3rd annual summer shoot with my wonderful friend photographer Vincent Kirk! Photos from our shoots can be found here.

My poem if we back each other up we can (re)turn mountains was published in HyeBred Magazine Issue #11 Proverbs. This piece is a meditation on the way our community often alienates both those who are not part of this community and those within our community who deviate from preconceived notions of what it means to “be Armenian”. Read the issue here.

ISC's feature film Live at the Porpentine made its Film Festival debut on Juneteenth at the Marina Del Rey Film Festival! Learn more about LATP here. Stream on YouTube here. Listen to the original soundtrack here. Contribute to ISC here!

For this quarter's Community Action Update I interviewed local representative and award winning theatre artist Kristina Wong, ISC Board member Ebony Murphy-Root, and Aisha Kabia performs a speech from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Listen to the episode here!

It is the greatest privilege to return to Griffith Park with my ISC family this summer. Rehearsals have officially begun for Knight of the Burning Pestle in which I will be playing Luce. Learn more about the festival here. Watch the cast announcement here. Donate to my fundraiser here!

ISC's feature film Live at the Porpentine was selected to stream at the Marina Del Rey Film Festival! It will screen in Block FF June 19th at 4pm. Purchase tickets here. Learn more about LATP here. Stream on YouTube here. Listen to the original soundtrack here. Contribute to ISC here!

ISC's 2022 fundraising gala was back in person with A Knight at Club Hecate, which successfully raised funds for the upcoming Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival. Contribute to ISC here!

I assisted the lovely Sydney Rogers and represented Support Black Theatre in a moderated talkback of The Road Theatre's production of Tanya Barfield's Bright Half Life. Learn more about SBT here!

I performed sections of Romeo & Juliet and broke down the text with my fellow ISC ensemble members Patrick and Daniel as part of Carson High School's Deep Learning Day at The Huntington Library! We had a wonderful and engaged group of 10th-12th grade students join us in the Garden Court. 

Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H.R. 7627 or the Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act. I was honored to be part of the collective of local theatre artists who co-authored the Bill. Read the Bill text here and sign on as an endorser here.

I had the pleasure of lecturing at UCLA once again as part of Professor Kane's UCLA VAPAE 20 class. This time I was joined by Jimmy Wu as we shared our experiences working with the arts in corrections and I led the students through a workshop and writing exercise.

For this year's Armenian Genocide Commemoration, I was able to share “Mamig and Babig” shot and edited by Kristin Anahit Cass as part of their Ancestor Portrait Series. For these portraits I recreated photos of my grandparents with images of our Artsakh behind me. View both photos here.

I spoke to current college students and recent graduates as part of Center Theatre Group's  Going Pro Fair. This closing forum was titled Don't Dream It. Be it. and featured myself and Julyza Commodore as young professional game changers in the LA theater community and was moderated by David Stewart. Learn more about Going Pro 2022 here.

This year marks 107 years since the start of the Armenian Genocide. It was a gift to hold space with a panel of incredible individuals as we explored the resilience of communities that have experienced genocide and political violence. The Disruption, Denial, and Innovation Panel was held from 12-2pm at Pasadena City College and sponsored by PCC Jan and the PCC ASA. Learn more here.

Support Black Theatre's cohort of Black women has been meeting as part of SBT's very first Talk Forward once a week for the last month. This series culminated in a viewing of Both And... at Boston Court Pasadena, after which I led a talkback with playwright and performer Carolyn Ratteray and Director Andi Chapman. Learn more about SBT here and get tickets here.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s feature film Live at the Porpentine is wrapping up its second weekend of live streams. Watch the post-show virtual lounge I hosted here. Learn more about the film here. Check out our IMDb page here.

We wrapped up our final devising intensive for ISC's New Play Development White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour! You can learn more about the project and DONATE directly here.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s feature film Live at the Porpentine has begun its series of live streams Friday-Sunday at 7:30pm this weekend and next. Watch the post-show virtual lounge I was part of here. Learn more about the film here. Check out our IMDb page here.

I was commissioned by Invertigo Dance Company to write my poem titled It Is Earned in honor of Black History month as part of their Moving In Time series. This collaboration between poet, musician, and dancer also features the music of Diana Lynn and the movement of Bernard Brown. You can watch on vimeo here.

The new trailer for Independent Shakespeare Co.'s feature film Live at the Porpentine is now available to stream on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to our channel and watch on youtube here. Learn more and register to stream weekends from March 11th-20th here. Check out our IMDb page here.

After a full day of devising work, Sabra Williams, Patrick Batiste, Bukola Ogunmola, and myself spoke in a salon as part of this year's Iambic Lab. You can watch the full Borne From The Ensemble talk here. You can learn more about White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour and DONATE directly here. Register for our other Iambic Lab events here.

It was an honor to guest lecture on my work as a teaching artist with incarcerated youth for Professor Kane's UCLA VAPAE 105 class.

I had a wonderful time speaking with Blklst Co-Founder A'raelle Flynn-Bolden during the Name Your Monster Instagram Live event. the discussion was centered on naming harm within the Los Angeles theater community, and the Southern California Living Document I created as a means of accountability for said harm. Submit you account of harm here. You can watch the full Instagram Live talk here.

One month from today you will have the opportunity to stream the final version of our feature film Live at the Porpentine. This was my first principal role in a feature, and I was blessed to share this journey with my ISC family. Register to stream weekends from March 11th-20th here.

I had a blast doing the product shoot for Valentine Sweets' new Pasadena bakery! Not only are their treats and drink delicious, they are also entirely organic and vegan, with many gluten free options as well! View photos from the shoot captured by Cara Harman here and check out the menu here.

I am honored to be one of the faces of sustainable haircare brand Reverie. Reverie is made with intention here in California! Shop Reverie here and find photos from both campaigns here.

We closed out the second session of intensive devising for Indyshakes New Play Development project. To donate and learn more about this project devised by our Black ensemble members and currently titled White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour click here.

Our feature film adaptation of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, Live at the Porpentine! will be presented at the ISC studio! Experience the film in our Porpentine set while enjoying costume and prop pieces and our open bar. Learn more and reserve tickets here.

I shot an ad for Out of Print directed by Robert Arjoyan and featuring the legendary Vahe Berberian. View the ad here.

I had the pleasure of reading stage directions for the Denver Center's workshop reading of In the Upper Room at Boston Court. The reading and future 2022 production are directed by Gregg T. Daniel.

My October Community Action Update invites you to take action to protect Mauna Kea, The Creative Workforce Development Act, donate to the family and scholarship fund of Halyna Hutchins, stop Line 3, and more. Listen on spotify here. Find links to take action here.

I am honored to be one of the faces of sustainable haircare brand Reverie. Check out the ad featuring me using Suna here. View campaign photos here. Shop Reverie here.

Meadowlark Falls is back! Our immersive holiday experience is back this holiday season and we filmed this year's installment on location in Mt. Baldy this year! Purchase your experience here by December 3rd!.

I have begun to work in a formal capacity with Support Black Theatre as their Director of Programs! It is an honor to work with an organization I love that is doing such wonderful work in our arts community. Follow SBT here.

I provided voiceover for the Black Lives Matter PAC's "Vote No On the Recall" ad, edited by Giovanni Solis. Watch the full ad here.

My September Community Action Update advocates for SB-628, The Creative Workforce Development Act, staying informed and donating to aid current refugee the Haitian and Afghan crises, volunteering with SELAH and Waterdrop LA, and more! Listen on spotify here. Find links to take action here.

I am honored to be one of the faces of sustainable haircare brand Reverie's new campaign. Reverie is made with intention here in California! Shop Reverie here and stay tuned for more photos from the campaign launch.

I shot a lovely series with photographer Shiji Ulleri in Venice Beach. Check out the full set here.

It was a joy to provide narration for my friend Henry Alexander Kelly's Pilot Script Collectathon. Learn more about the project and find the digital program here.

I am honored to share what has been the culmination of a year and a half of difficult and traumatic work. The Los Angeles Anti- Racist Theatre Standards (LA ARTS) are now live and can be read here. I co-authored the standards with an incredible collective of predominantly BIPOC theatre artists. I am also a contributor to The BLKLST, which is the organization that will implement the standards and ensure theaters are held accountable. My living document of harm will now be housed by the BLKLST as well.

Our magical summer performing The Tempest in the Griffith Park dell has come to an end! You can find press on our summer here and support ISC's New Play Development project here. Summer festival info will remain here and you can view our digital playbill here.

Join ISC ensemble members Sabra Williams, Brent Charles, Patrick Batiste, and myself before the closing night performance of The Tempest as we have a salon discussion exploring ISC's New Play Development project titled White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour. Learn more about the project and DONATE here. Find information on the summer festival here.

I was featured in a Spectrum News 1 segment about Independent Shakespeare Co.'s The Tempest. You can watch the segment here,  and also read about ISC's hygiene kit drive with SELAH this summer which didn't make it into the segment. Reserve your tickets here. Find information on the summer festival here. View our digital playbill here.

My August Community Action Update is a special summer episode highlighting SELAH, the organization ISC has partnered with this summer to collect hygiene kits and supplies for our unhoused neighbors. I interview SELAH Co-Founder Cat Kim, who speaks about SELAH's inception and ways we can all make a difference in our communities. Listen on spotify here. Find links to take action here.

The Tempest has been featured in a number of articles including The New York Times. We were featured as an LA Times Best Bet for the Weekend in addition to their feature on the pandemic challenges we have faced and recent vandalism. The Tempest had our official press opening on August 14th. Tickets are FREE and available for reservation 7 days in advance of each performance. Reserve your tickets here. Find information on the summer festival here. View our digital playbill here.

Independent Shakespeare Co.'s The Tempest has begun performances! Tickets are FREE and become available for reservation 7 days in advance of each performance. Reserve your tickets here. Find information on the summer festival here. View our digital playbill here.

Tickets for the first performance of Independent Shakespeare Co.'s The Tempest will be released Saturday July 1st at 10am! Tickets are free and become available for reservation 7 days in advance of each performance. Reserve your tickets here. Find information on the summer festival here. View our cast announcement here.

I was beautifully photographed by Christina Wefki Naguib in a blend of traditional Armenian dress and modern style. The Taraz headdresses were custom made by Meri Kostanyan. Check out the set here.

We began rehearsals of Independent Shakespeare Co.'s The Tempest earlier this week and have officially announced our cast! The Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival is still FREE, but due to COVID, we must take reservations for socially distanced pods. Space is extremely limited and tickets will be released for each performance 7 days in advance. Find information on the summer festival and reservations here. View our cast announcement here.

In my July Community Action Update, I shared ways you can support our unhoused neighbors, take action with Justice LA, support La Defensa's "Rate My Judge" program and more! Listen on spotify here. Find links to take action here.

I am honored to be a featured panelist at the National Women’s Theatre Festival Convention 2021! The Big Changes & Resilience panel will be moderated by WTF Executive Artistic Director Johannah Maynard Edwards, explore how to dig deep, reexamine, redefine, and stand in your resilience in times of chaos, change, and social reckoning. The panel will be held July 22nd at 1pm EST. Register here.