You are a multidisciplinary artist, introduce us to your vast career…
I studied theater, and for a long time I thought of myself as an actress who writes. About 8 years ago, in a personal writing practice exploring my identity, I realized that I am a writer who performs. Where I had previously been in the position of auditioning for a role (which may not reflect my values) and then waiting to be chosen for the part, this was quite a liberating epiphany for me as I felt more empowered to tell my own stories.
I find the two artforms- writing and performing- to be so complimentary. I love the theater; the way that expression can fill a space, transmitting emotion to an intimate or vast audience, all sharing the same moment. Theater is part of our human heritage; a craft as old as society, and I adore it in both staged simplicity or extravagant spectacle. When a piece of text is brought to life by a cast of talented performers, lighting, set design and music, I consider this to be the fullest expression of creativity. But it all (usually) begins with words on a page. So I see writing as the first step towards any form of creative self expression.
Teaching has also been a highlight of my career. From teaching writing for self-reflection and organization, to writing for performance, to public speaking, voice over, improvisation, and more- I love to help other adults tap into their own creative force and spirit of play.
A career that spans across different parts of the world, how important is it for artists to work outside of their homelands, and go out of their comfort zone? What have you learned from each country you worked in? As an Arab artist working abroad, what is something you like the world to know about us?
I have never lived in Palestine, though I often daydream of what my life would have been like had my father’s family not been forced to flee from Jerusalem in 1967. It’s a bittersweet question, because I would not be myself at all. I have been fortunate to visit Palestine twice in my life.
Instead of growing up in Palestine, I experienced life in the diaspora. A third culture kid living abroad, attending schools around the world— from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Kansas and beyond. And I have never stopped traveling. As an adult, I split my time mostly between Europe and the Middle East.
I consider myself a global citizen, yet deeply honor my Palestinian roots. All this international travel from an early age absolutely informed my entire world view and opened my perspective to so many other cultures, languages, frameworks, and paradigms.
It has always been an exciting adventure to perform in a new country. From the Sydney Opera House to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, to the Stoa of Átalos in Athens.. I’ve had the great privilege of performing around the world. Each country leaves a deep impression of its history, its culture, its nature, and the stories of its people. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to travel and see so much.
On these travels to the far corners of the earth, I have often been told that I am the first Palestinian many have ever met. I take that as a responsibility to represent the Arab world and to share with them all I wish the world knew about us. To celebrate the ways in which we are different, and to honor our universal humanity.
How are you able to manage different roles (from teaching to practical work and charity)?
I find a nice balance between the dedication it takes to show up as a writer versus the life of a performer. To write for hours in solitude and silence, isolated in focus, versus engaging with the audience- big or small, in a collective moment. Those moments are the payoff for the lonely process of writing.
Teaching is another way to connect and engage with my communities, and I enjoy the relationships built in the context of my workshops so much.
Charity work is yet another way to engage with my communities and the world around me. Whether doing charity drives, to fundraising, to teaching, to advocacy, its always been important to me to be an active participant in making the world a better and safer place for myself and others. Justice is a big feature of my work and what drives me.
Tell us more about your experience as a TEDx speaker…
I love the format of the TED talks- sharing ideas worth spreading in a fair amount of time. When the format was opened up to the world to engage with a local community and its members through TEDx events, I feel like something shifted in society: we took one step further towards the decentralization of education. We understood that we can stand to learn so much from those in our direct community.
Though institutions, like universities and highschools, hosted these events the teaching was no longer top down, but peer to peer. This was part of the decentralization of knowledge that the internet has facilitated- on and offline. I’ve had the great fortune of speaking and sharing my poetry at two TEDx events, and I hope to be part of many more.
And writing lyrics for the iconic AR Rahman?
One of the projects which kept me sane during lockdown was writing lyrics for Expo 2020´s “Why? the Musical”, the music for which was composed by the legendary AR Rahman. The process of collaborating with AR was inspiring. He has a way of handpicking creative minds and encouraging them to contribute to the process with confidence. He really knows how to bring out the best in people, and I think that is one of his more admirable traits. He is so generous with his trust in the vision of those around him, that they have understood his vision. In this way, collective effort (as all big productions are) are gently guided by his creative leadership. I learned so much working with him. The three songs we created for the musical each have their own sound and style which you can hear online, but my favorite is called “Time and Space” with cosmic Sufi influences.
With all your awards, which one(s) is your favorite(s)?
I received a few awards in the UAE over the years of being there, including Emirates Woman Artist of the Year 2016, the Young Arab Award 2016 in the category of Entertainment, 50 Inspiring and Influential women in the UAE.. to name a few. Each one is an achievement and affirmation that the art I create and the space that I hold for the community is valued and appreciated. They all have inspired me to continue on this mission to tell stories of resilience.
In a region driven by commerce and globalization, it is very important that we recognize individuals who are taking risks, breaking the mould, telling authentic stories, encouraging collaboration, connecting networks, and diversifying their skill sets.
I would hope that winning such an award would inspire other young women passionate about the performing arts to go boldly in the direction of their dreams, even if it’s against all odds- because poetry, theater, music, are ways to celebrate of our culture and our heritage, and also to promote the future we envision.
In your own words, define an inspirational woman…
I am feeling more and more confident in my purpose. As a young woman, I was demure and humble. Today, I recognize that my voice is powerful, and that it is my gift and responsibility to use it in service to a greater cause.
I have found that in my mission, I desire to be supported by a community of other strong, powerful, and confident women. When presented with the option, I know that women are who I want on my team because I know that women are going to lead global change. I see so many in action, and I am inspired to work alongside them.
An inspirational woman is one who is bold and strong. She knows her worth, and is a true citizen of the world. She embraces both her feminine and masculine powers, shamelessly. She is constantly learning, innovating, integrating. She leads with her love: love of self, love of family, love of community, and gives from her full heart. She holds a vision for a better future. She is just and fearless, creative and vibrant in whatever space she fills or role she takes on.
What’s next for Dana Dajani?
In January 2024 I will be publishing my first collection of poems. A journey through every season of the heart and human spirit, from love and through separation and into wholeness, Heartwood Poems is a beautifully designed book of art and poetry for the feminine which will launch at the Emirates Literature Festival. I also aim to continue to tour my poetry performance for Palestine, “An Olive Branch” which is about Palestinian Identity in Diaspora, immigration, leadership, and belonging combining a Town Hall convo with a night of theater and poetic justice.
Text by Victor Gee
