The Shorthorn - Comedian Tissa Hami raises the terror level to "Hillarious"

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Comedian Tissa Hami raises the terror level to "Hillarious"

Written by Hannah Dockray, The Shorthorn staff

Monday, 01 March 2010 10:22 PM

Comedian Tissa Hami performs Monday night in the Rosebud Theatre. Hami had a short stand up act followed by her telling life stories about how she got to be where she is. (The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher)

Multicultural Affairs director Leticia Martinez opened a night of comedy by alerting the audience members that the terror level had been increased to orange, while introducing Muslim-American comedian Tissa Hami.

Hami performed in front of a crowd of about 50 Monday night in the Rosebud Theatre. She said her stand-up includes topics that usually make Americans uneasy. Her jokes encompassed a variety of Muslim stereotypes and made fun of the superficial way others see Iranians.

Her performance began with a 30-minute comedy skit followed by a speech on her life lessons and wrapped up with a Q-and-A.

A self-proclaimed activist for Muslim women, Hami teaches audiences about the humor in diversity.

“People want to be entertained,” she said. “And when they are being entertained, they listen.”

And entertainment was just what Hami gave Arlington resident Graciela Villatoro.

“I thought it was hilarious,” Villatoro said. “Her performance was great. She had me laughing the whole time.”

Hami told a joke about her experiences in a mosque and how women praying in the back may seem repressed by Muslim men in front, but really the women just like the view. She said mostly women pray for a piece of that.

Comedy was not something Hami always believed she would do. She attended Brown University and immediately began taking premed classes at her parents’ request.

“My parents really wanted me to be a doctor, so I listened to them,” Hami said. “Reality is you can’t please everyone.”

Hami immigrated to America from Iran in 1978. She said daily encounters with prejudices and bigotry happen daily in her life.

She said most of these experiences she uses as material for her stand-up. Upon deciding to become a comedian she also decided to break stereotypes and share a better understanding of the Iranian people, sometimes gaining criticism rather than praise.

“A lot of my hate mail comes from other Muslims,” Hami said. “But you can’t reach everyone. I have Muslims who love my jokes and hate my jokes. I just have to do what I think is right.”

Hami said she takes the stage to inform and to entertain.

Her debut in 2002 marked the beginning of her journey towards racial insight. She takes stereotypical views and puts them into her act, giving others a feel for her shoes, she said.

Hami said her message of empowerment and risk-taking came from her personal experiences with inquisitive neighbors and overly cautious airport customs employees. The lesson Hami learned early in her comedy career was to believe in herself.

“I have to be my own biggest fan,” she said. “My parents were against [comedy] and so I had doubts. But if I didn’t believe that I could do this, no one would.”

Hami said the path to comedic immortality using prejudice as the foundation challenges her every day, but her resolve to stay dedicated has her traveling across the globe and communicating her message.

“I never thought I’d be a comedian,” she said. “I have traveled to places I thought I would never go. I have finally learned where I fit into the picture.”

Biology junior Krysta Chavez was all enthusiasm after the show.

“I really enjoyed it,” Chavez said. “It was an inspirational performance, and it really encourages people to be themselves.”

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