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Kawa Ada
Ada modelling for Kovalum's spring-summer 2014 collection
Born
Kawa Ada

(1980-06-12) June 12, 1980 (age 44)
Kabul, Afghanistan
Alma materBoston Conservatory (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actor, writer, producer
Years active2004–present
WorksThe Breadwinner, Jihad Gigolo, The Wanderers
AwardsDora Mavor Moore Award, Toronto Theatre Critics Award

Kawa Ada (born June 12, 1980) is an Afghan-Canadian actor, writer and producer. He distinguished himself as a stage actor on Broadway and in Toronto before pursuing a career as a film and television actor and a writer. He is also a dancer, a choreographer, a keynote speaker and a voice actor, most recently known for playing Razaq in The Breadwinner.

Early life

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Ada was born on June 12, 1980, in Kabul, Afghanistan, in a Dari-speaking family belonging to the Pashtun aristocracy. His father was a famous national chess champion.[1] In the midst of the Soviet–Afghan War, when Ada was but a young child, his family was forced to flee the country. They entered Pakistan as refugees, from where they emigrated to India. His sister Blanesta Ada was then born on May 17, 1983. Growing up there, Ada dreamed of becoming a Bollywood movie star.[2] The family then illegally moved to Switzerland, where his father was arrested and detained. When Ada was 8 years old, his family finally emigrated to Canada, where they settled in Toronto.[3] In school, he was recognized as a studious and bright kid who was very much involved in student life, and has described his high-school self as a nerd.[2]

Ada pursued his higher education in the United-States, where he graduated as valedictorian from the Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Theatre.[4]

Career

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After graduating from the Boston Conservatory, Ada was immediately cast on Broadway in Bombay Dreams. He then perfected his Shakespearean skills with the Publick Theatre in plays such as Troilus and Cressida.[5][6] In parallel to this work, Ada came up with an original text based on his personal experiences during the Soviet invasion of his home-country, his difficult journey to relocate and integrate into Western culture and the hurdles of being an Afghan in America following the September 11 attacks. This piece, The Canny Afghani, premiered at the Boston Center for the Arts in 2004 as Ada's first one-man show. He would explain that:

"After September 11th, my skin color and facial features suddenly attracted attention to myself and those around me – I was living in America with an Afghan face [...] All my endeavors as an artist soon took on a broader scope; this show not only brings my hopes of sharing the story of my family's journey to light, but also gives a tiny voice to the plight of those who have had to flee the countries they call home."[4]

Back in Canada, Ada made a name for himself during three seasons of the Shaw Festival, along with parts in productions of The Grand, Canadian Stage and Cahoots Theatre. His performances were appreciated and earned him The Shaw Festival Outstanding Newcomer award in 2007 and the Stage West – Equity Emerging Theatre Artist Award the next year. His subsequent role in Paper SERIES drew further attention and earned him a nomination for a Dora Award. After that, he was cast as a lead in My Granny the Goldfish, after which he was consistently given leading parts. Eventually, he would even be established enough as an actor that he did not have to audition anymore.

In 2014, Ada wrote his second play, The Wanderers, which combines comedy, kinky sex, suicide, ghosts, hysteria, nudity and religious imagery, on the backdrop of an otherwise timeless tale of father-son conflict.[7] Although the production of the play by Cahoots Theatre garnered mixed reviews, the depth and richness of the text would soon be rehabilitated and go on to be studied in universities.[1] The same year, Ada released his first short film, Jihad Gigolo, which he wrote, produced and starred in: the story of a young man who makes ends meet by dressing up as a "terrorist call boy" to fulfill the weird fantasies of his clients, until his girlfriend and the Secret Service find out.[8] The movie premiered at the ReelWorld Film Festival where it was received well.[9][10]

The next year, Ada was highly praised for his part in Accidental Death of an Anarchist. Theatre critic Amanda Campbell declared that "Kawa Ada, as the Madman, is a breathtaking tour de force, bursting with energy and words and playful shenanigans that cascade out of him with breakneck speed and formidable urgency.",[11] while Robert Crew of The Star wrote: "Kawa Ada is a marvel in the role. He swaggers, skips, hops into someone’s lap, overacts to the hilt, mugs and wows the audiences with a smile that could melt a Newfoundland iceberg."[12] The performance earned him a Dora award, and he was named NOW Magazine's Toronto's Best Male Actor. This success was immediately followed, the same year, by another noted performance in Bombay Black. In this play, Ada was cast as Aspara, a young female dancer who makes a living by dancing for men in private. At first, he was reticent to "take away" a role written for a woman, but he was convinced to take on the challenge as an opportunity to question gender in a patriarchal society. He choreographed himself the dances, which were deemed "enchanting" and "impossibly ethereal".[13] The hard work that went into Ada's interpretation of Aspara was praised, eventually earning him the Toronto Theatre Critics Award for Best Male Actor of the Year.[14] In a radio interview, he explained his artistic approach thusly:

"For me it was really important to honour playing a woman, and that I wasn't just playing at it. So I didn't want to wear a dress, I didn't want to wear make-up. So that's the other thing we're inviting the audience to do: I'm in very androgynous costume, and we're asking the audience to imagine that I'm a woman simply through my "acting ability". And so we'll see if it's successful or not, but the other thing was immense research (which is what I would do for any role), but this entailed talking to a lot of women, South-Asian women friends, about what it is to be a woman. [...] What was challenging was truly getting into my feminine side and accepting it, and it brought about a lot of the turmoil that I had in my own coming to terms with sexuality."[15]

In December 2016, Ada suffered a leg fracture, which kept him off-stage for some time and put a definitive end to his dancing career. Nevertheless, his work as a playwright and director continued, and in January 2017 he presented The Death of Mrs. Gandhi and the Beginning of New Physics (A Political Fantasy). In this satiric fusion of feminism and politics, four powerful women – Margaret Thatcher, Imelda Marcos, Benazir Bhutto and Kim Campbell – gather for Indira Gandhi's funeral, but are hijacked by a time-travelling terrorist.[16]

In 2017, Ada lent his voice to Razaq in the animated feature film The Breadwinner, based on the best-selling novel by Deborah Ellis, which had its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.[17] In addition to his voice performance, Ada was a dialect and accent coach to his fellow actors on set.[18]

As of 2018, Ada is a playwright in residence at Tarragon Theatre, where he is working on his next play, Finding Islam, the story of a mother investigating the disappearance of her son, who is suspected to have joined ISIS.[19] During this time he has also taught as an acting professor at the George Brown Theatre School.[20]

Other careers

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In parallel to his stage career, Ada has also worked in higher education administration. He has notably worked in the department of Student Community and Leadership Development at York University.[21] As of 2019, he was working at the Student Housing and Hospitality Services at the University of British Columbia, first as a Residence Life Manager,[22] before being promoted to Associate Director.[23] As part of this position, he notably launched a podcast on leadership, titled "Are you being served?"[24]

In 2023 and 2024, Ada has been appointed to serve on the Renters Advisory Committee, a consultative body of the City of Vancouver tasked with advising the city council on strategic priorities relating to renters, to monitor and respond to the impacts of provincial and federal legislation affecting tenants and to advise the council on enhancing access and inclusion for renters in developing Vancouver policy and civic life.[25]

Ada is also a national keynote speaker on issues of diversity, inclusion and motivation.[21][26] This work as a promoteur of values of diversity and empowerment has also influenced his approach to acting. When talking about the production of David French's famously Newfoundland-rooted play Salt-Water Moon with actors that were not typical Newfoundlanders, Ada explained:

"We wanted to challenge ourselves to see if the audience could come on this journey with us and imagine all of this, this deep complex, love between these two people [...] It's one of the things I speak to all over the country. Colour blind is a term I don't use. We want to see people in all their colours."[27]

Similarly, in a group interview following the presentation of The Breadwinner at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ada stressed the political importance of the film:

"[...]You have women and girls at the helm of this film. And in Afghanistan and in so many places in the world, where there is such strife, where there is such divisiveness, it is going to be us uplifting and allowing for girls and women in those parts of the world to continue to have a voice. That is the future of our world. And that is what this movie does."[28]

Personal life

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Ada is fluent is Persian and English, and also knows Hindi and French. Ada identifies as queer.[29]

He is a Trekkie, especially fond of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and used to collect unopened Star Trek figurines.[2]

His goddaughter is also an actress. He met her at Factory Theatre, where Ada has been a mentor to younger actors, and the two of them would eventually star together in A Christmas Carol.[30]

Filmography, stage and other works

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2017 The Breadwinner Razaq (voice) Ada also acted as a dialect and accent coach to the other actors
2014 Jihad Gigolo Jovid Comedy written and produced by Ada himself

Television

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Year Title Role
2016 Shoot the Messenger Raj Chaudhuri
2013 The Listener Harlan Abbott
2011 Combat Hospital ANA Office No. 4
2006 The State Within Young Asian Male
2005 Mayday Translator

Writing

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Year Title
2018 Finding Islam[31]
2017 The Death of Mrs. Gandhi and the Beginning of New Physics (A Political Fantasy)[32]
2014 The Wanderers[33]
2004 The Canny Afghani[4]

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role Company
2019 Copenhagen[34] Werner Heisenberg Soulpepper
2019 Kiss of the Spider Woman[35] Molina Eclipse Theatre Company
2017 A Christmas Carol[36] Fred / Young Ebenezer Scrooge Soulpepper
2016 Salt-Water Moon[37] Jacob Mercer Mirvish
2016 The Enchanted Loom[38] Kanan / Kavalan Mirvish
2016 Incident at Vichy[39] Monceau Soulpepper
2016 The 39 Steps[40] Richard Hannay Soulpepper
2015 Bombay Black[41] Aspara Factory Theatre
2015 Accidental Death of an Anarchist[42] Madman Soulpepper
2015 Much Ado About Nothing[43] Don Pedro Tarragon Theatre
2014 Hackerlove[44] Chelsea Manning Buddies in Bad Times
2014 The Wanderers[7] Aman / Roshan Cahoots Theatre Company
2013 Iceland[45] Halim Factory Theatre
2013 Carried Away on the Crest of a Wave[46] Swimmer / Ma'mar Tarragon Theatre
2012 My Granny The Goldfish[47] Nico Factory Theatre
2011 Paper SERIES[48] Isaac Cahoots Theatre Company
2009 The Wizard of Oz[49] Professor Marvel / The Wizard The Grand
2009 Sunday in the Park With George[50] Soldier / Alex Royal George, Shaw Festival
2009 Red Peppers & Shadow Play Alf / Young Man Royal George, Shaw Festival
2008 It's A Wonderful Life[51] Eddie Biggs Canadian Stage
2008 After the Dance Lawrence Royal George, Shaw Festival
2008 Wonderful Town Greenwich Villager Festival Theatre, Shaw Festival
2007 Summer and Smoke Dusty / Vernon Royal George, Shaw Festival
2007 Mary's Wedding[21] Charlie The Grand Theatre
2007 Comedy of Errors[21] Balthazar / Officer Canadian Stage
2007 Mack and Mabel Charlie Chaplin Festival Theatre, Shaw Festival
2004 The Canny Afghani[4] Canny Afghani Boston Center for the Arts
2004 Troilus And Cressida[5][6] Troilus The Publick Theatre
2004 Bombay Dreams[52] Featured Ensemble Broadway

Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 Kiss of the Spider Woman Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role Nominated
2016 Bombay Black Toronto Theatre Critics Award – Best Male Actor of the Year Won
2015 Kawa Ada NOW Magazine's Toronto's Best Male Actor Won
2015 Accidental Death of an Anarchist Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Male Performance Won
2014 The Wanderers Broadway World Toronto Award for Best Leading Actor Nominated
2013 Iceland Broadway World Awards for Best Leading Actor Nominated
2013 Kawa Ada NOW Magazine's Toronto's Best Male Actor Nominated
2012 My Granny The Goldfish National Post – Robert Cushman's Year's Best Performances Won
2011 Paper Series Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Featured Performer/Ensemble Nominated
2008 Kawa Ada Stage West – Equity Emerging Theatre Artist Award Won
2007 Kawa Ada Saunderson Award – The Shaw Festival Outstanding Newcomer Won

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Wanderers has a stellar team, so why doesn't it work?". The Star.com. March 8, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "20 Questions with... Kawa Ada". Toronto Stage.com. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  3. ^ "A CHILD OF WAR: KAWA ADA". Jazz.fm. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d "Canny Afghani". Theatre Mania. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "2004 Season". The Publick Theatre. Archived from the original on October 20, 2004. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Citiline Publick Theatre Spot". Citiline. August 20, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Morrow, Martin (March 7, 2014). "The Wanderers does a little too much wandering". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  8. ^ "Jihad Gigolo". IMDb. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  9. ^ "Kawa Ada". Playwrights Canada Press. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  10. ^ "KATIE CHATS: ReelWorld, KAWA ADA, ACTOR, JIHAD GIGOLO". April 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ "Absurdism and Social Justice in Death of an Anarchist". TWISI. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "An 'Accidental Death of an Anarchist' that incorporates oilsands and Jian Ghomeshi". The Star. February 6, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Factory Theatre's rethink of Bombay Black elevates problematic text". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  14. ^ "The Winners from the 2016 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards". Torontoist. May 27, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  15. ^ "Bombay Black remount casts male actor as female dancer". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  16. ^ "The Death of Mrs. Gandhi and the Beginning of New Physics (A Political Fantasy)". NOW Magazine. January 8, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  17. ^ "The Breadwinner". TIFF. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  18. ^ "What THE BREADWINNER leads Saara Chaudry & Kawa Ada learned from each other". March 11, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "TARRAGON ANNOUNCES PLAYWRIGHT RESIDENCIES, AWARDS & COMMISSIONS FOR 2017–18 SEASON". Tarragon Theatre. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  20. ^ "Theatre Faculty Directory". 2018. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  21. ^ a b c d "The WTC". WTC. September 6, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  22. ^ "The University of British Columbia - Get Involved - Residence Life". vancouver.housing.ubc.ca. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  23. ^ "UBC Faculty & Administrative Directory". www.directory.ubc.ca/index. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  24. ^ "Kawa Ada - Are you being served? - Spotify". spotify.com. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  25. ^ "Renters Advisory Committee - City of Vancouver". vancouver.ca. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  26. ^ "Kawa Ada". Drama Online. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  27. ^ "EMBRACING DIVERSITY, EMBRACING LOVE". Richmond Sentinel. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  28. ^ "Kawa Ada Believes in the Power of Telling Diverse Stories – TIFF 2017". September 11, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "Afghan-Canadian-queer". March 5, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2020 – via Daily Xtra.
  30. ^ "Double Down with Factory – Kawa Ada". December 13, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ "Finding Islam". Tarragon Theatre. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  32. ^ "The Death of Mrs. Gandhi and the Beginning of New Physics (A Political Fantasy)". NOW Magazine. January 8, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  33. ^ "The Wanderers (Print) by Kawa Ada". Playwrights Canada Press. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  34. ^ "COPENHAGEN". Soulpepper. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  35. ^ "Eclipse Theatre Company Presents KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Presented at the Don Jail". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  36. ^ "Soulpepper's annual Christmas Carol returns to the Toronto stage". Mooney on Theatre. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  37. ^ "Salt-Water Moon rises again and departs from tradition". Straight. February 7, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  38. ^ "REVIEW: THE ENCHANTED LOOM (CAHOOTS THEATRE COMPANY)". Mooney on theatre. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  39. ^ "Incident at Vichy reminds us of a world still divided: review". The Star. May 27, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  40. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (August 5, 2016). "Soulpepper's Hitchcock parody The 39 Steps will have you in stitches". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  41. ^ "Bombay Black invites us to make of it what we want: review". The Star. November 24, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  42. ^ "A review of Soulpepper Theatre's "Accidental Death of an Anarchist"". PRISM International. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  43. ^ Morrow, Reviewed Bymartin (May 2015). "A Bollywood-inspired take on Much Ado About Nothing results in colourful interpretation". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  44. ^ "Hackerlove". Now. April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  45. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (March 8, 2013). "Iceland: How Reykjavik informs this gripping Toronto play". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  46. ^ "Carried Away on the Crest of a Wave". The Star. April 25, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  47. ^ "My Granny The Goldfish". NOW Magazine. March 19, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  48. ^ "Paper SERIES (2011)". The Toronto Theatre Database. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  49. ^ "The Wizard of Oz". Entertain This Thought. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  50. ^ "Sunday in the Park With George". Stage-door.com. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  51. ^ "It's A Wonferful Life". Echo World. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  52. ^ "Kawa Ada". Tarragon Theatre. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
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