Meet Ahmad Maher | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ahmad Maher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ahmad, how do you think about risk?
Just choosing to start a career in the arts is a risk in itself! It is an incredibly small and competitive industry. Your reputation and connections mean everything. However, if you do it right that risk has the greatest payoff.

That risk started by making the decision to travel to New York on a student visa after receiving a scholarship to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA). I came to one of the largest cities in the world with two suitcases, the savings I had from an old restaurant job, and moved into a small bedroom in Midtown. It was not a glamorous apartment by any stretch of the imagination but it certainly got the job done!

After completing my training with AADA I was accepted into their prestigious New York Company, which is a small cohort of actors who spend one year performing in mainstage productions with the guidance of industry directors and designers. It is the perfect opportunity to make connections and begin networking with professionals across the city, especially as an international. Because of this school and the people I met halfway across the world from my home, I was able to start a career in the New York theater world. It sounds scary, but taking that risk and trying was the better option than staying home and wondering about what could’ve been. And I’m grateful every day that I did.

I think that the risk of failure is always going to be present in whatever path you choose in life so I try to never let it be the determining factor in the decisions I make in my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Finding your place in the theater industry is not easy. I grew up in Cairo, Egypt in a family with an affinity for the arts. It’s such a beautiful city and we were constantly surrounded by an exciting combination of art, history, music, theater, and film. I was always encouraged to follow my passion. But wanting to make art and wanting to be part of the business of art are two different endeavors.

I once had a teacher tell me, “The job of an actor is to audition. The opportunity to perform is like a bonus.” That completely changed my perspective on auditioning, that’s where your focus needs to be. You need to be able to put yourself out there and try without the fear of failure, and if you can’t get over the fear then do it afraid! An actor is one tool of many that is in service of the play or film as a whole. You can never take rejection personally, you may simply not be the right fit. Learn and grow from every one of these experiences and go back and do it again the next day. Through this continued learning and work you will inevitably find your niche in the industry and stories you want to tell.

In the past, there has been little representation of Arabs in media, and if there was it is often harmful and inaccurate stereotypes. Through my work, I aim to be a voice for Arabs, for Egyptians, for immigrants, and for anyone who has faced adversity due to their identity. Immigrant stories are full of hardships, diversity, life, culture, love, and perseverance. They deserve to be shared and heard. It is essential for the acceptance and continued growth of diversity in the art industry. I am very proud to continue to be a representation and uplifter of their voices.

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?
From day one my mother has been my biggest supporter and without her, I wouldn’t have had the courage to start or continue my pursuit in the arts. Though there are artists in my family, I’m the first actor which meant that a lot of times I had to figure certain things out on my own.

But she always helped me every step of the way from planning and budgeting to make it feasible. Not to mention the endless emotional support and encouragement to continue to achieve my goals. She is living proof that through tireless efforts these seemingly unattainable dreams can become a reality. No dream is too big for someone who works for it.

Website: www.ahmad-maher.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itssahmadmaher/