In Groundlings SNL Scholar Tarek Ziad’s “Give Me The MacArthur Genius Grant," the idea of The MacArthur Fellowship—a shining $800,000 symbol of validation and success for creatives—becomes a gateway into discussions of achievement, self obsession, passion, and how they all fit under one umbrella: Financial Security. In this 50-minute solo comedy, Tarek juxtaposes larger notions of what exactly a “genius” is with his own successes, failures, and feelings of accomplishment (or lack thereof) as a budding-yet-broke artist of color. Through a high octane exploration of universal tensions felt by creatives as they attempt to piece together livelihoods, a ridiculous meta-commentary on fiscal anxiety and the role self obsession plays in defining one’s status as an “artist” begins to emerge. Faced with an uncertain future and the reality that no one is promised anything despite everyone deserving the world, Tarek begs the absurd—potentially satirical—question, “why not give ME the Genius Grant?!”
