Iraqi actor Ahmed Moneka first came to Toronto in September 2015 for a brief visit. Seven years later, his feet are fully on the ground in Toronto, with a burgeoning artistic career and a growing family. This fall Moneka marks a professional milestone by playing a major role at a Toronto theatre — one in which he brings his life experience to bear. In “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” at Crow’s Theatre, Moneka plays an Iraqi man who works as a translator for American troops during the Iraq War. He found his way into Toronto theatre with the support of Iranian-Canadian director Soheil Parsa, a key contact for immigrant artists, and by joining the Toronto Arts Council’s Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship program.

Source: thestar October 11, 2022 02:01 UTC