Meet Fatima El-Bashir | Professional Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fatima El-Bashir and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fatima, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind becoming a professional actress was about my passion for the craft. Telling stories is what I am made to do. It is my purpose. Therefore, pursuing a career as an actress was a no brainer.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Professionally, I am where I am today because I have managed to surround myself with the right people. I have an intimate day to day support system that consists of my Mama, agent and manager. They are my true advocates and guides within the industry and beyond.

Amongst the countless lessons I have learned throughout my career, there are three lessons that I practice as an artist and moreover a human being. The first is to be kind. The second is to be disciplined. And the third lesson is to remember that what is meant for me is mine.

I want the world to know that I am a fearless artist whose brand represents depth, complexity, beauty and strength.

The arts found me at the age of 11 years old. At 11 years of age, I auditioned and was admitted into the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, where I danced between 40 and 50 hours weekly. I received classical ballet training from principal dancers of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Ballet Companies and modern dance training from principal dancers of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. I trained in six additional genres of dance including Dunham, Jazz, Tap, Flamenco, African and Hip-Hop. At age 12, I was cast in my first professional theatrical production entitled Dancing in the Wings directed by Debbie Allen. Two years later, I was cast in my second professional theatrical  production entitled Alex in Wonderland, also directed by Debbie Allen. At that time, “Miss Allen” told my Mama, “You have an actor on your hands.” And the rest was history.

I segued into musical theater at New Roads School in Santa Monica, California. At age 13, I landed my first role as Little Sally in Urinetown: The Musical and continued to play leading roles in the school’s musical and play productions. I was also a member of the school’s improvisation comedy troupe, and the first lead vocalist for the school’s Jazz Band.

After my junior year of high school, I was accepted and attended the NHSI “Cherubs” Summer Theater Arts Program at Northwestern University, joining alumni including Lucas Hedges, Hari Nef, and David Schwimmer.

Following my senior year of high school, I attended UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television (Ray Bolger Musical Theater program) where I was awarded a full scholarship and earned my Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Musical Theater. During my senior year at UCLA, I signed with my agent of now 8 plus years and officially began my professional career as an actress. The first three years of my career, under the invaluable guidance of my agent, I worked as a non-union actress earning my stripes, developing stamina and learning every and anything I could. Following my third year out of school, I joined the Actors’ Equity Association and became a professional union actress.

I have performed in theaters including The Pasadena Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre (McCoy Rigby Entertainment), Tokyo Theatre Orb (Shibuya, Tokyo), Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Atwood Concert Hall, Caesars Entertainment’s Paris Theatre, Musical Theatre West, Skylight Theatre, El Portal Theatre, After Hours Theatre Company, The Blank Theatre, The Rev Theatre Company and the Alabama Shakespeare Company. I have toured nationally and internationally, and originated lead roles in four world premiere regional and new media live-stream musical productions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

My favorite eating and drinking spots include the Reel Inn in Malibu, the Iron Teapot Dim Sum & Bar in Culver City, Sakura Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Los Angeles, Dan Sung Sa in Koreatown, M Café in Hollywood and Smorgasburg (Los Angeles) in Downtown.

My favorite places to hang out include LACMA, Runyon Canyon, The Getty Center, Tokyo Central in Gardena, hiking trails, bike paths, beaches and parks.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my Mama. She is my best friend. She is my beginning, middle and end; my joy, drive and heart combined. I love you Mama..

Website: https://www.fatimael-bashir.com

Instagram: fatima.el_bashir

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-el-bashir-916ab276/

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Dana Patrick