Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain

Izad Etemadi has spent most of his life explaining himself to others. His ethnicity, his sexuality, the pronunciation of his name. But as an elder millennial dealing with back pain and digestive issues, he doesn’t have the time or energy to keep explaining himself. Through jokes, songs, and deeply personal stories, this queer Iranian-Canadian immigrant who was born in Germany is going to attempt to explain his entire existence in sixty-ish minutes, so he never has to do it again.

Best In Venue at the 2024 Hamilton Fringe Festival. World Premiere by Green Light Arts in June 2023, Kitchener, ON.

“With only a bedazzled microphone and a stool, Etemadi skillfully charms the audience and inspires all the laughter we’ve come to expect from one of his shows.” – Hamilton City Magazine

CREDITS

Written & Performed by Izad Etemadi
Direction and Dramaturgy by Matt White
Produced by Carin Lowerison
Stage Management by Farnoosh Talebpour
Photography by Conan Stark

AUDIENCE ADVISORY: This show discusses racism, homophobia, terrorism, religion, and features a fair share of swearing. This production features theatrical haze, and flashing and moving lights. Viewers may experience therapeutic laughter and should not start the show with a full bladder. Recommended age 13+ years.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Izad Etemadi is an actor and writer based out of Toronto. He plays Josh on Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC+) and has appeared on popular TV shows such as Ghosts (CBS), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+) and The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu/MGM). He originated the role of Samuel in the new Canadian musical Grow at The Grand Theatre and returned later that season to play the leading role of Buddy the Elf in Elf: The Musical. This fall he can be seen in the world premiere of The Bidding War at Crow’s Theatre. @izadetemadi

ABOUT GREEN LIGHT ARTS

Founded in 2014 by Matt White and Carin Lowerison, Green Light Arts is an award-winning theatre company based in Waterloo Region. GLA delivers well-crafted, provocative theatrical projects and pairs artistic programming with purposeful outreach events to deepen community conversations about the ideas they put on stage. Through rigorous professional practice GLA upholds and furthers the artform of theatre. Through the artform of theatre, GLA enriches the social fabric of our community. Visit www.greenlight-arts.com for more info or @greenlight_arts on socials.