Tissa Hami is one of the world's few female Muslim stand-up comics. Her unique act
and fresh perspective on life as an Iranian-American woman leave audiences in
shock and awe. From Islamic fundamentalists to white liberals to good
old-fashioned racists, no one is safe from her sharp wit. Tissa hopes her comedy
will help break down stereotypes about Muslim women and foster understanding
between Iranians and Americans.
Tissa grew up in a traditional Iranian family in a predominantly white suburb of
Boston. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in international affairs from Ivy
League universities. Her parents are thrilled that she is using her expensive
education to pursue a career in comedy.
People who disapprove of her act will be taken hostage.
Tissa performed for 10,000 people at First Night Boston 2005. She has been
featured in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune,
as well as on BBC radio and Australian and European television. In the US, Tissa has
appeared on ABC's The View, the Hallmark Channel, and NPR. Her radio interview on
Commonwealth Journal was awarded first place in the Public Affairs category for 2004
by the Associated Press of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Tissa is one of five
comedians featured in the documentary, Stand Up: Muslim American Comics Come of
Age. The film, which won a prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award, aired on PBS in May
2008 and on BBC World News in September 2008.
and fresh perspective on life as an Iranian-American woman leave audiences in
shock and awe. From Islamic fundamentalists to white liberals to good
old-fashioned racists, no one is safe from her sharp wit. Tissa hopes her comedy
will help break down stereotypes about Muslim women and foster understanding
between Iranians and Americans.
Tissa grew up in a traditional Iranian family in a predominantly white suburb of
Boston. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in international affairs from Ivy
League universities. Her parents are thrilled that she is using her expensive
education to pursue a career in comedy.
People who disapprove of her act will be taken hostage.
Tissa performed for 10,000 people at First Night Boston 2005. She has been
featured in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune,
as well as on BBC radio and Australian and European television. In the US, Tissa has
appeared on ABC's The View, the Hallmark Channel, and NPR. Her radio interview on
Commonwealth Journal was awarded first place in the Public Affairs category for 2004
by the Associated Press of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Tissa is one of five
comedians featured in the documentary, Stand Up: Muslim American Comics Come of
Age. The film, which won a prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award, aired on PBS in May
2008 and on BBC World News in September 2008.
