Support Raghad: A Syrian Actress's Journey of Hope

March 5th, 2018 was a day to remember. That day, I received an admission letter from the Academy for Classical Acting at the George Washington University. That instance of joy will stay with me forever. I can remember reading it with a mixture of feelings. I was jumping while laughing and crying at the same time. My happiness then is difficult to describe. It wasn’t only the thrill of accomplishment itself, but also the fact that it happened during a stage in my life when I am in dire need to restore hope.


My name is Raghad, by the way, and I am a Syrian actress. Over the last two years, I have worked really hard to secure a place in the highly-selective MFA program at the GWU. I believe the opportunity to earn this degree and go through such an excellent, rigorous training is an essential step to achieving a dream I once thought was unattainable.

It is a one-year intensive program, consisting of 60 credits in acting, stage combat, voice, movement and other classes vital for sharpening my skills both as an actress and instructor. In addition, I will expand my professional network and learn from distinguished actors, directors, and experts. I was also attracted by the immersive nature of the program. After only twelve months, I will be ready to continue my 15-year journey in the field that I love and cherish. As a newcomer to the U.S., I also aspire to be a productive member of my community and show gratitude to the people here who have been very helpful and supportive since the very beginning.


I studied acting in Damascus, Syria and graduated from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts there in 2004. Immediately thereafter, I worked as a teaching assistant in the same institute and was cast in my first leading role in theater. At the same time, I started co-facilitating interactive theater performances in rural areas in Syria. During these performances, we utilized theater to offer a platform where the audience could speak freely about their struggles and hopes. This experience opened my eyes on the significance of theater to address crucial social and political issues, such as diversity, gender, equity, and citizenship. Since graduation, I have also built my acting career in television, playing several leading and supporting roles in Syria and across the Middle East.


Suddenly, my life was interrupted in 2014 as I was banned from returning to my home country because of my political opinion, so I had to start my life again in exile.

First, I settled in Lebanon, where I was determined to serve my country and be more civically active despite my hardships. I started to visit refugee camps in Lebanon to read stories to children. I also designed and facilitated theater workshops for young Syrian refugees to help them overcome their traumas through art. During these workshops, I met teenagers who experienced adversities.

 I remember a teenager who lost contact with his father after his dad was arrested right in front of his eyes. I remember another teenager who saw her friends killed during bombing campaigns. Young hearts full of fear, sadness, desperation, and insecurity. Throughout these theater workshops, I saw them grow and heal. They started describing their hopes, dreams, and aspirations more positively and confidently. I cannot describe the happiness and peace these positive shifts in their behavior and attitude put into my soul. They made me see life and my role in it differently. I thought I was leading these workshops to help them, but I realized we were all helping each other


Four years later, my hopes were dashed again. I had to leave Lebanon and found myself here in the U.S. in 2017 with nothing but my dreams. Starting here was difficult, everything is different, the language, the lifestyle, and the job market. Back then, I felt as if I had lost everything, my family, my friends, and my career. I couldn’t accept the fact that everything I have built had disappeared overnight.

For months, I had panic attacks, but I couldn’t give up. I had to fight, and so I thought of what I could do to survive. Teaching Arabic, working at Guess, and driving Uber and Lyft were a few jobs I’ve taken to make ends meet, but all the while, I kept thinking about acting, my passion.

 When a friend of mine told me about the program at George Washington University, I was hesitant to apply at first. The program admits up to 17 students per year, so I knew my chances were slim. However, I decided to try. I believed this program would be the key to fulfilling a lifelong dream. Against all odds, I was offered admission and felt hopeful again.


Today, I am a few months away from starting this journey, a few steps away from picking up where I had left. This MFA program is my hope. My hope for a better life. My hope to revive my more than a decade-long acting career. My hope to give back to the community that has been generous to me.

Today, I am here, one step away and I need your support.  

 I still have one more obstacle to overcome: money. I applied for multiple scholarships and followed many leads, and now, I am waiting to see if my efforts are successful. This campaign will go directly to pay my university tuition fees, and if I am awarded any scholarships, what is left will help me pay for my living expenses during my studies. Please consider taking a moment to contribute and share this campaign with your friends and family. Thank you so much for your support and generosity.

The exiled Syrian actress helping young refugees deal with trauma using theater 

Syrian Actress Raghad Makhlouf Shares Her Story in The Welders' New Pericles Adaptation 


Update:

With over 3600 share and two months' worth of my university's tuition fees , I am one step closer  to achieving the campaign's goal. Thank you to all supporters, friends, colleagues, people I know and people I don't know. The campaign is still going on and every financial contribution matters.