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 things.

Through jokes, songs, and deeply personal stories, this queer Iranian-Canadian immigrant born in Germany is going to attempt to explain his entire existence in sixty-ish minutes, so he never has to do it again.

Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain was conceived by Izad and developed by Green Light Arts. The first draft came into being during the Pandemic. This is the world premiere.

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

RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes with NO INTERMISSION.

IZAD ETEMADI: LET ME EXPLAIN

WORLD PREMIERE

WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY IZAD ETEMADI

DIRECTED BY MATT WHITE

MAY 25-JUNE 4, 2023

Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts

36 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3

SHOW SCHEDULE

Thur. May 25, 2023 | 8:00PM — Preview Performance

Fri. May 26, 2023 | 8:00PM — General Performance (OPENING NIGHT)

Sat. May 27, 2023 | 8:00PM — General Performance

Sun. May 28, 2023 | 4:00PM — General Performance (pay-what-you-can)

Thur. June 1, 2023 | 8:00PM — General Performance

Fri. June 2, 2023 | 8:00PM — General Performance

Sat. June 3, 2023 | 8:00PM — General Performance

Sun. June 4, 2023 | 4:00PM — General Performance (pay-what-you-can)

ABOUT IZAD:

Izad Etemadi is an Iranian-Canadian actor and writer based out of Toronto. He was a resident of the 2021/2022 CBC Actor’s Conservatory at the Canadian Film Centre and the recipient of the 2017 Emerging Queer Artist award from Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

On-screen credits include Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC), Ghosts (CBS), Overlord and the Underwoods (CBC/Nickelodeon), Revenge of the Black Best Friend (CBC Gem).

In 2022, he originated the role of Samuel in the new Canadian musical Grow (from the producers of Come From Away) at The Grand Theatre and returned later that season to play Buddy the Elf in Elf the Musical. His short film Plant Daddy won the 2023 Queer Your Stories short film competition, garnering a screening at the prestigious Inside Out Festival.

Outside of acting and writing, he has over five years of experience working in casting for film and television.

For tickets visit www.ticketscene.ca.