Meet Awni Abdi-Bahri | Actor, Writer, Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Awni Abdi-Bahri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Awni, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Putting myself in places that both scare and excite me. For example, taking the leap and moving to New York for my masters training.
Staying genuinely curious for growth and knowledge keeps me invigorated– especially when tackling new hobbies or project.s
Balancing work and play.
Seeking inspiration from things all around me. The news and/or trends.
Spending time with people who I look up to or inspire me to look at the world in new ways.
Eating well, and exercise are important to me too!

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.
I love art that holds a mirror to people at macro and micro levels.
I love both creating and being a part of work that transcends culture, ethnicity, gender, etc. and yet stays so specific to what it is. As is said: universality comes from specificity.

I got to where I am today by staying invested/not giving up– evolving as an artist and approaching any project I commit myself to with a lot of preparation, passion and heartfelt collaboration.
I truly love what I do, so it never feels like work, even though it is.
The challenges are mainly rejection oriented, but I’ve gotten to a place now where I’ve rewired rejection into meaning re-direction. I will always find work so long as I am working in becoming a better version of myself as an artist.
I’ve also, recently, given myself the validation and permission to be a leader, and create the work I want to see and be a part of– so I don’t have to wait! And, recently, others are starting to validate me with me. I’ll have my first play produced this Summer at Shakespeare and Company. :))

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love Shiloh Tea House for a low-key, introspective, calm time. Mr. Furley’s for some pool. UCB is where we go to have a hearty laugh and see our friends shine. Rafi’s for Persian food is a must, followed by Mashti Malone’s for Ice Cream. A walk in Silverlake or Santa Monica, wandering into undiscovered shops– which always takes me back to my New York “flaneuring” days. And even Runyon (guilty) for a fun, chaotic hike with Toffee (my pup) and quality people watching.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Literally anyone who has been a part of my life in any profound way.
Close friends mean the world to me. I’ve been so grateful for their constant support, love, and for coming out (near and far) to come see my shows ((and for their honesty about the work they saw)).
Special shoutout to bestie, Dalia Ashurina. We’ve grown together so much as artists and friends.

Teachers turned mentors at both UCIrvine (my Bachelors) and Columbia University (my Masters). Special shoutout to James Calleri, Ron Van Lieu, Peter Jay Fernandez, Scott Whiteshurst, Sita Mani, Rafi Silver, Eugene Ma, and Liz Hayes.

Website: https://awniabdibahri.com

Instagram: @awni.joon

Image Credits
Headshot: Cameron Radice