Artists and Comedians
Mona Aburmishan
Chicago, USA
Mona is an international comedian based in her hometown of Chicago.
She has performed, emceed, and produced comedy shows, competitions and events in major clubs, theaters and universities around the world. In addition to comedy, Mona is a sought-after speaker for her experience using stand-up comedy to bring joy and affinity in various socio-political topics in the United States and the Middle East. Mona has a Master’s in International Development and is fluent in English, German and Arabic and performs in these languages. Having lived and performed in Europe, The Middle East, and Africa, Mona uses her global insight and perspectives as well as her homegrown Chicago-style to offer a fresh look at the funny that’s all around us.
Currently, Mona is on tour in the Middle East and Europe this August. Most recently Mona returned from performing throughout South Africa including headlining one of the world’s top ten comedy establishments – The Cape Town Comedy Club. Mona has been asked to return to tour the entire Sub Sharan African region this early 2019.
Mona has been a regular in the London and Canadian Comedy Scene since 2010. Recently Mona headlined Comedy Central’s latest Season 2 and 3, Premier “Comedy Central Present: Stand Up Al Waggif” filmed on location in Dubai, UAE; featured throughout the Middle East and Africa. She was the first female to headline this revolutionary series produced by Viacom. Also, Mona was a featured guest on “Al Bernameg” with host Dr. Bassem Youssef’s ground-breaking satirical news program (The Middle East & North Africa’s version of “The Daily Show”).
State side, Mona has been a regular feature on “Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez” Chicago’s #1 late-night radio show WGN 720 as well as a regular feature on Chicago’s #1 daytime talk show, Windy City Live!
Most notably, Mona became the first Arab and Muslim woman to perform stand-up comedy in the nation’s most prestigious institutions: Carnegie Hall in New York City as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; and will be retiring this October!
Similarly, Mona was featured in the first ever US Consulate sponsored Comedy Festival in the West Bank on 2015, 2016 and again this Summer 2018.
While in Chicago Mona is a regular at Zanies, the Laugh Factory, The Chicago Improv and is a regular house EMCEE at The Comedy Bar and will be hosting all December 2018!
Mona also produces and co-produces four comedy shows throughout the region, a weekly open mic “The Riff” and runs “Lil Comix” a stand up and improv class for kids.
