Meet Fadi Dalloul. Fadi is a Syrian-born actor from Hamilton Ontario. Fadi was part of the 2022 Summer Ensemble.

Fadi Dalloul is a Syrian theatre actor; he acted in several plays in Lebanon using different Arabic accents, and worked as a video editor with Crescendo Production Company in Syria. He can portray a wide range of characters and specifically enjoys complex characters.

Currently Fadi, resides in Hamilton Ontario, Canada, a city that is a stones throw away from the majestic Niagara Falls, the honorary eighth wonder of the world.

Fadi Joined Crane Creations in 2022, and wowed us away with his incredible comedic timing.

Experience

Fadi Dalloul studied theatre at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts at Damascus University in Syria and worked as a video editor for Crescendo Production Company, collaborating with Al-Donia. He participated in many theatre workshops in Lebanon, acted in several plays, and portrayed dramatic and comedy characters. He believes that acting jobs should have done to support the community. So, he works to stand up with refugees, LGBTQI+, and illiteracy people in Lebanon and tried to make their voices have been heard. He volunteers for Helem organization in the Art Club project to train drag queens beginners to perform on Pride. He works as an actor in the Mob Art Summer Camp in the Baalbek area, in Lebanon delivering drama therapeutic sessions to refugees. He is working with Crane Creations Theatre Company as an actor.

Education

In Syria, Fadi Dalloul studied acting for the theatre and film at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts and Economics at Damascus University.
In Lebanon, he studied gender at Helem foundation and photography at Mosaic non-government organization; he joined the Red Bridge troupe and learned modern and Playback Theatre. Fadi joined LOYAC Art Academy and learned the introduction to drama therapy and theatre leadership for children, youth, and women.
In Canada, he attended Sociology Social Service Worker and Using Music for Health and Wellness post-secondary courses at Mohawk College City School. In addition, he attended Crisis Prevention Intervention and Mental Health First Aid courses at YWCA Hamilton. Now, he is preparing to start studying the Video Design and Production program at George Brown College in the fall of 2022. Fadi frequently volunteers in his community to gain real life experience as well.

Theatre Experience

Fadi Dalloul acted and participated in the scriptwriting of several plays:
2019: * “The story of the journey “play took place at Mono Theater for Helem foundation, Lebanon.
* “The sister idea” scene played at Bordeaux Bar for Helem foundation, Lebanon.
* “Get the unknown” played in Al-Medina Theater for Lebanon’s Mosaic non-government organization.
2021: * He joined The Red Bridge troupe and participated in an online playback show (Your story on the stage)
* “31/12” played in all of Lebanon on different stages and outdoor for LOYAC Academy, Lebanon. Also, he and the other actors invited the inspiring actors to be on the stage after providing them free two hours workshop.
*”The bag” played in Al-Medina Theater for Youth Orthodox Movement organization, Lebanon.
*”Broke up chapter one” monologue played in Riwaq café Bar and Homemade Theater, Lebanon.
Fadi volunteered at Mob Art Summer Camp, Baalbek, Lebanon, from 2019 until 2021 as a therapeutic drama coach and acting teacher for children and women. Also, he was a trainer for the drag queens beginners; he helped them feel more comfortable on the Station Stage and somebody movement in 2019, Beirut, Lebanon.
He had a competition in the Monologue Salam at Staircase Theater for Hamilton Fringe Festival 2022.

Fadi Dalloul: Summer Ensemble Member 2022

Fadi Dalloul is a member of Crane Creations Theatre Company’s 2022 Summer Ensemble. This was Crane Creations Fourth Annual Summer Ensemble.

What is Summer Ensemble?

The Summer Ensemble is an 8 week training program for theatre artists. In this paid working opportunity artists learn skills required to be a professional artist in Canada, and gain valuable insights into the theatre industry in Canada and abroad. To apply artists must be between 18 and 30 years of age.

Summer Ensemble is education and work program, which is leading the participants to prepare for a professional career.

Fadi Dalloul

 

What is an Actor?

Fadi is an actor in the Summer Ensemble. But what is an actor?

What is an actor?

An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs in the theatre, film, radio, television, or digital media. What does it mean to be an actor for Fadi?

Being an actor means having a sense of humour and a strong personality because acting shows the situation of the other. It means to wear the character and believe that you are a different person while performing or rehearsing.

Fadi Dalloul

What does an actor do?

An actor’s doesn’t just memorize lines and look pretty. An actor has a fun but important role in creating a story. They are responsible for interpreting and embodying the character in a play, television series, or film. To do this well many actors rehearse and train their bodies and voices regularly. They study their script and consult with the director and scene partners about their interpretation of the character.

The main concern of an actor should always be understanding what a character wants or needs and then what they are is doing to achieve this action. A want or a need is also called an objective, or motivation. What an actor is doing is referred to an action or a tactic. An Actor Acts. A good actor makes many different and thoughtful choices about what the character is doing. A very good actor can make many creative choices, and is always ready to change their actions on the fly.

Actors sometimes require additional special skills. For example, an actor in a Broadway musical may also need to know how to sing and dance. An actor is a puppet show must know how to operate a puppet. Professional Improvisers need to know how to create a character and make up a story on the spot without any preparation. An actor in an action blockbuster film may also be trained in stage combat and martial arts.

How does an actor prepare for a role?

Actors prepare for their roles in many different ways. Let’s ask Sarah how she prepares for a role.

First, I read the synopsis and the character explanation very well to have a complete image of the mission that I have to complete. Second, I read the piece out loud many times to ensure my pronunciation and comprehension are strong. Third, I start to memorize as much as possible and take notes on the gaps I need to focus on. Fourth, I record myself and start listening to the recording to remember and work on the body language and movement. In the end, I record my performance and watch it to figure out how to make it better.

Fadi Dalloul

Who is Fadi Dalloul? An Interview with Fadi

Where are you from originally?

I am from Syria and I came from Lebanon. I was born in the oldest city in the world. I like history and very strong attention to detail. The old Damascus is a very romantic place and artistic. I like the streets because it makes me feel connected to people and communities. No cars pass there and you could walk without paying attention to the lights. Bab Touma area is the place that I spent my childhood in with people who sing all the time.

Crane Creations Theatre Company Speaks many different languages – What languages do you speak?

My native language is Arabic and I am so proud because I can speak in different accents of Arabic. I also speak English.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would like to visit Greece, which it was a big part of my education in the theatre. Also, depending on the photos that I see on social media accounts, I think the city is so beautiful to vacation and watch some theatre there.

Is there a new skill you want to learn?

I would like to learn more how to sing and train my voice. Also, I have passion to learn how to play Guitar and Cello. I wish if I could renovate my body to dance professionally.

Do you have any hobbies?

Hairdressing is one of my hobbies. I am a studied hair dressing and I like to use my education and experience on it with my sisters, friends and of course myself. I like hiking, listening, and singing music. I am really passionate about training my voice to be a singer maybe a rock star. Also, I would like to attend dancing classes to have more flexible body and shine more on the stage.

Do you Have A Favourite Food?

My favourite type of food is Arabic and my favourite meal is Mulukhia.

Oh, so what is your favourite place to eat?

Well actually, my favourite place to eat is Pizza Pizza.

What are your favourite plays and why?

Personally, I prefer Egyptian plays. My favourite play is Madraset Al-Mushaghebeen, which is a very comedic play. Madraset Al-Mushaghebeen (The School of Mischief) play is about five mischevious students in school. It is a very popular play in Middle Eastern area. The first show was in 1971 and they made a film of it because it has achieved fantastic success.

What is one fun fact about yourself?

I can eat five sandwiches after performing.

Why did you fall in love with theatre?

In the theatre I find the lost city. In my mind, on the stage, I am everyone. I am a part of every country, every community and the stage is leading me to this connection without fear. My accomplishments in the theatre give me self esteem. The theatre is my eyes, my conscience, and my ears. I might be a cause of a laugh or a tear from the audience. Also, I’m thankful to everyone in the theatre who is teaching me to do better in my life.

How Did You Get Into Acting?

I had a dream to be a rock star when I was a child. I was not very calm as a student; I imitated and mocked my teachers in the elementary school and made everyone laugh and have fun. Through these funny moments, I discovered that my passion is acting more than being a rock star. I finished high school and went forward to the theatre to study. My job at Crescendo Production Company provided me the acting work experience because of the many series that I participated in editing and getting the directors point of view. When I was eighteen, the funniest things were re-enacting scenes after popular actors in Syria. Three years at acting school were lot of fun and learning at the same time. It was really rude to imitate my teachers but they were not mad about it and they favoured me all the time.

Is there a play or a role you are really proud of?

The most successful performance, I’ve done was 31/12 play because I saw the hope on the audience faces after COVID-19. This hope was not only because of the comedy in the play that we performed, it was coming from participating in the workshop and being on the stage with two minutes scene for each group. We were fourteen actors and actresses performing, we divided ourselves into seven groups and each group trained five people. It was the best moment for me when I saw a smile on thirty-five faces in destroyed country in miserable situation.

Why is theatre important?

In my point of view, the theatre is the origin of performing arts forever and ever. The interaction in the theatre after the play brings the change in the society. In addition to that, watching a play opens the imagination and critical thinking which those are good skills to have to success in our life. I think, people feel and get the context from the theatre more than movies because it is like the real life and without cosmetic tools. Also, in the theatre you could make friends too. However, people pay attention to people more than a screen and that is why we see the online learning is not on the same level of learning in-person.

How has Summer Ensemble Helped You in Your Acting Career in Canada?

Summer Ensemble program is very intensive and straight to the point. I like the way how we are learning new topics very rapidly. My favourite part is the discussions because I am increasing my knowledge to be a better actor. Summer Ensemble is education and work program, which is leading the participants to prepare for a professional career.

Any advice for aspiring actors?

My advice is keep yourself in a good health to use your body as you want. Acting is not only making reactions or making people laugh or cry, but the script and the context that you have. To be a professional actor, one needs to be free and love one’s self. do not mean that you need to be fit to love and estimate yourself. An acting career for the theatre and film is very competitive, so studying will increase your knowledge. Please, do not stop studying and adding to your skills mentally and physically. Actors always have to attend workshops too, to keep yourself updated about new techniques. In my perspective, using the mirror is not a bad way to practice your pieces. The mirror gives you the confidence to play in front of five hundred people and maybe more. Also, do not hesitate to use technology to memorize your monologues and pieces. The most important thing is do not give up. One or a hundred director might not offer you an opportunity. Someday, you will find the spark that lights the match on your journey in this field. No ones know, it might happens in the supermarket or anywhere at anytime and sometimes without preparation. Remember, acting is not lying, acting is living the moment in other point of view, and try to understand the character and ace your audition. In conclusion, stay positive and be smart.