ONE on ONE photos by
ONE on ONE photos by joyce wiswell Sarab Kamoo: Wife, mother, social worker – and actress Sarab Kamoo is a devoted wife and mother of three, a parttime social worker — and a successful Michigan-based actor. She recently sat down with Chaldean News Co-Publisher Mike Sarafa to talk about her career. Chaldean News: When did you know you wanted to act and how did you get started? Sarab Kamoo: I’ve been acting consistently since sixth grade when I had a role in a play called “Cinderfrog.” I continued right through high school and through Albion College, mostly in theater. In 1994, I decided I wanted to take it more seriously and began pursuing professional work. CN: What role are you most proud of? SK: That’s easy: “Nine Parts of Desire,” produced by Ed Nahat and Waterworks Theater. It is a one-woman play where I played the role of nine different Iraqi women. We performed it in three different venues. I remember the Ann Arbor production being especially powerful. Women were coming up to me in tears sharing that the play gave them a voice and told their stories in ways that they could not do themselves. As a woman of Iraqi descent, that role is my proudest achievement. As far as the most interesting or exciting, I had a role in a movie coming out soon called “Stone” starring Robert De Niro and Edward Norton. CN: What was Robert De Niro like? SK: He’s actually very shy but very friendly. He asked me once why there was such a large Middle Eastern community in Michigan. The conversations eventually led to the topic of food, which resulted in my mother making him a huge tray of Chaldean food. We had it put in his trailer. He was really grateful and later gave me a thank-you note for my mom, which made me cry. Even though it was for my mom and we share it, I won’t let her have it! CN: How did you get started with the Lifetime Channel? SK: The film tax incentives from the State of Michigan promoted by Governor Granholm have been great. The incentive created demand for actors in Michigan. I was fortunate enough to do five movies last year. Coming out in the fall on the Lifetime Channel is a horror movie called “Secrets in the Walls” where I play a real estate agent. There are many economic spin-off benefits for hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, technical people and even young actors. It has literally helped keep people in this state to pursue acting careers. The rumors that they may take away the tax incentive are hurting the progress because of the uncertainty it has created. CN: Has being from Michigan hindered your career? SK: No, not really. In a small market, there is less competition. My chances to have gotten the role in “Stone” would have been slimmer if it was produced in L.A. Also, we have an absolutely thriving theater district in Michigan that is on par with larger markets such as New York and Chicago. For 14 years in professional theater, I’ve played in productions at theaters ranging from Meadowbrook, Purple Rose, Performance Network, Tipping Point and the Jewish Ensemble Theater. I’ve also had steady work in commercials, training videos and voiceovers for over 14 years. I believe professional actors can stay in Michigan and have rewarding careers CN: What are your long-term aspirations for acting? SK: If the film incentives continue, I would like to stay busy here in Michigan with the kind of opportunities I’ve had the last couple years. My passion is theater. Ideally, I would like to continue in theater coupled with more movie roles. It’s been wonderful to work in both venues. I may try to pursue some potential opportunities in Chicago. I think I could do that and still maintain my family life. CN: Is there one thing most people wouldn’t know about you that you would want them to know? SK: Well, I love to take pictures. When I say “love,” I mean I have more than 75,000 pictures of my kids! 46 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2010 cn0510_0156.indd 46 4/27/10 5:59:31 PM
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