"GIVE ME THE MACARTHUR GENIUS GRANT" COMES TO THE HFF2024

Give Me The MacArthur Genius Grant

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 achievement for creatives—becomes a gateway into discussions of success, failure, self obsession, and how they all fit under one scary umbrella: Financial Security. In this 50-minute solo comedy, Tarek juxtaposes larger notions of what exactly a “genius” is with his own feelings of accomplishment (or lack thereof) as a budding-yet-broke artist of color. Faced with an uncertain future and the reality that no one is promised anything, Tarek begs the absurd—potentially satirical—question, “why not give ME the Genius Grant?!” Playing at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre — 5636 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 June 9-29th.

Described as “a lot of fun, infinitely meme-able, and refreshing” by The New Haven Independent, “Give Me The MacArthur Genius Grant” makes its Los Angeles debut after a sold out preview in New York City. Through a mixture of theatrical stand-up comedy and multi-media performance, Tarek uses his own life story to explore universal tensions felt by young creatives as they attempt to piece together livelihoods. Following in the footsteps of performers like Kristina Wong, Kate Berlant, Hannah Gadsby, and Cole Escola, Tarek takes the audience on an autofictional ride full of big laughs and even bigger thoughts.

Presented by: Theater Asylum
Directed by: Yamini Nambimadom

WHERE: Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre — 5636 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

PERFORMANCE DATES:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 4PM
Friday, June 21, 2024 @ 7PM
Saturday, June 29, 2024 @ 8:30PM
Running time: 50 minutes

TICKET PRICE: $12
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/10430?tab=tickets

Admission age: 18+

ABOUT TAREK:
Tarek Ziad is an LA-based queer Afro-Arab comedian, actor, and writer. He graduated from Yale University with Honors, is a current SNL Scholar at The Groundlings, and was recently at Sundance for his role in John Early’s NEON produced comedy feature, “Stress Positions.” Tarek spent four years as director of the nationally touring Yale Exit Players improv comedy troupe, and can now be seen on CBS’s “The Equalizer” and performing stand-up comedy around LA.

Comps available for members of the press upon request. For additional information please contact: Tarek Ziad, [email protected], 727-342-9268

Follow along @tarekaziad on Instagram.
https://tarekziad.com