Due to impressive multitasking talents, some actors are listed in Director/Writer Bios and Producer Bios. 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... 

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...  

Murad O. Saleh grew up in Newark, NJ to Palestinian refugees. Having a technical degree... 

Aftermath (Guggenheim Works and Process- with NYTW, Dir. Jessica Blank), Again and Against (Labyrinth Theatre Lab, Dir. John Gould Rubin), As Soon As Impossible (Second Stage New Works, Dir. Hal Brooks)... 

Abbas is extremely excited to be joining the comedy festival and performing in English for the first time! He attended The College of Fine Arts of Baghdad. He starred in Besameer... 

Al Nazemian graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in theatre. He recently played Ahmed in a production of Betty Shamieh's play "Roar". Other theatre credits include "Voices From Guantanamo"... 

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. 

Jordanian-American Amin Matalqa moved to the US when he was 13. His first feature film, Captain Abu Raed, won the Audience Award at Sundance in 2008 along with 27 other international awards... 

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... 

My name is Audra Wahhab, my father is Palestinian and my mother is Irish/German. I grew up all over the place but mostly in Milwaukee, WI... 

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... 

Cheroc Sebti is a native New Yorker born to Irish and Moroccan parents...  

Film & TV: upcoming: Sex and the City 2, as well as You Don't Mess With the Zohan, Syriana, Habibi, "Guiding Light," "Tough Crowd" with Colin Quinn, "We are New York", "Law and Order"... 

Born in Windsor, Ontario, Dave Merheje found a love for comedy at a young age and started performing in Detroit. Now living in Toronto, Dave's comedy style has been described as aggressive in-your-face funny. Dave has gained a following... 

Eman started stand-up in 2006. In her first year she founded and co-produces the successful monthly show BOOM (Best of Open Mic). Since then she has appeared in the NY Arab-American Comedy Festival and Amman Comedy Festival... 

Eman Morgan, an Egyptian American comedian, is quickly becoming one of the hottest young comedians today. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he grew up around a diversified... 

Dok Off Broadway: Eat the Taste by Greg Kotis at Barrow Street Theatre; Yeast Nation by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman, workshop production at SoHo Playhouse. Grim by Jessica Litwak... 

Fahad Albutairi was the first Saudi stand-up comedian to appear on stage professionally in Saudi Arabia and in the Gulf... 

Ibrahim Ali is a Yemeni-American who was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in the Middle East... 

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 has been featured on IFC's Z-Rock and on HBO on Down and Dirty and the upcoming season of Bored To Death. Comedy Central gave Joe his own half hour special and will release his debut album The Depression Auction in Summer of 2010. 

Born and raised in New Jersey by Lebanese immigrant parents, Joyce is excited to be part of yet another festival! She has trained in standup comedy at Gotham Writers Workshop and in improvisational comedy...  

Kareem Omary is new to the comedy scene (2009), having finally taken the advice of his shrink to let loose those inner voices in his head. Born and raised in Kuwait City to a Syrian father and a Spanish/Danish mother, Kareem currently resides in... 

Chicago-based touring comedian Khaled TheComic was born in Texas to (mostly) Palestinian parents and raised in Indiana next door to his Lebanese grandmother. He brings a fresh... 

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... 

Leila Ben-Abdallah is a recent graduate of the William Esper Studio two year program. Most recently, Leila appeared in and co-wrote Let That Sh*t Go with Live Blaggard Theatre Company... 

Born of Arab-American decent to a refugee father and theatre-loving mother, Majed Sayess left his cushy government job as a consultant to the Middle East in D.C... 

Egyptian-American comedian Maria Shehata's quick-wit and conversational delivery has brought her appearances in NY's Arab-American Comedy Festival, NY Underground Comedy Festival, LA Middle Eastern Comedy Festival... 

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... 

Michelle Vanegas recently received her BFA in musical theatre from Sam Houston State University... 

Mike Batayeh is a comic/actor/writer of Jordanian descent. Mike has guest-starred on The Shield, Jag, Everybody Loves Raymond, Breaking Bad and Showtimes' Sleeper Cell and in several films alongside Dennis Quaid, Hugh Grant, Adam Sandler and Tony Shaloub. He has... 

Mike Easmeil, a comedian of Palestinian heritage, is delighted to be performing at this year's NYAACF. He first took the stage more than 15 years ago at Groucho's Comedy Club in Roanoke, Virginia, while completing his degree in Communications from Radford University... 

Mohamed (Moe) Attia, first generation Egyptian-American, amateur
comedy film maker, writer and artist was born in Hoboken and lived in New Jersey all his life... 

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... 

Mohamed Salem started in 2007 performing at small gigs in Alexandria and Cairo. In June 2009 he performed at Sawy Culture wheel in the event "Egypt's funniest comedians"... 

Mohammad Salman, a modern day Arab-American Palestinian with an old fashioned sense of humor was born and raised in North NJ and grew up in large Falahi Family and raised with good morals and parents that valued education...
 

Lebanon's King of Comedy Nemr Abou Nassar has two feature specials, "This is Why I'm Hot" and "Eye of the Tiger", which he has performed to sold out... 

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...  

Omar Elba is an actor/comic from Alexandria, Egypt. After showcasing at the Comedy Store and winning... 

Omar Koury Theater Credits: "Aftermath," New York Theater Workshop (world premiere); "Scorched," The Wilma Theater, Philadelphia (Barrymore Award-Outstanding Ensemble Cast); "The Poetry of Pizza," Mixed Blood Theater... 

Osh Ghanimah is elated to return to the festival. Theatre: Family Bonding (NYAACF); Meanwhile In Baghdad (NYC Fringe); In the Heart of America, Sweeney Todd, Comedy of Errors... 

Pamela Sabaugh recently appeared in the films, One Angry Man (co-starring with Jackie Mason) and the Independent horror sequel... 

Pete is the host of "Stand Up with Pete Dominick" on SIRIUSXM's independent political channel POTUS. Pete also appears every night on CNN's John King USA hosting "Pete on the Street". Pete has been doing stand up for almost... 

Peter D. Michael is not only 100% Lebanese-Maronite, he's also a EMMY AWARD-WINNING actor as the star of "50 Greatest Days" on the Madison Square Garden Network. Peter also just shot an episode of USA Network's hit television show... 

Peter Sabri received his BFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Since graduating, he's remained in New York... 

R-J Seikaly recently graduated with an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in NYC. He is very happy and proud to participate for the first time in this years Arab Comedy festival... 

After this years festival Ramsey immediately starts work on Othello at Shakespeare on the Sound. He recently finished the two episode season premiere of Law & Order: Criminal Intent... 

Ramy is so cute! He has studied sketch and improv at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre and writes and performs with his sketch group Inside Joke Films at The People's Improv Theatre... 

Rasha Zamamiri (AEA) Commentator "Sbelling Bee" (2010), Zubayda "Wife Swap" (2010), Salma "Fellahin Idol" (2009), Saudi Woman "Comedy Course" (2009), Leila Hassan "Love Letter" (2008)... 

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"...  

Rick Khalil, A Palestinian-American born and raised in the heart of South Paterson loves the middle-eastern culture. He is currently pursuing comedy... 

S. Quincy Beard is delighted to be making her directing and writing debut with the NY Arab-American Comedy Festival. Most recently she directed three pieces for World Players, Inc. Kick It Festival winning Best in Show with "Laughing All the Way"... 

Originally born in Detroit Michigan, Said Durrah (Palestinian-Jordanian American) is from the Washington DC area and has performed his comedy... 

Born in Oakland, California, Sammy K Obeid graduated UC Berkeley with a 3.9 G.P.A. double major in Applied Mathematics and Business... 

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... 

Sevan Greene - Lebanese-Armenian actor/writer. Off-Broadway: Lortel Award Wining Betrayed (The Culture Project, Kennedy Center, PBS Telecast), Aftermath (NYTW), Mapquest. NYC: Perez... 

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...