ABOUT

I’m a writer, comedian and recent Fred Rogers Productions fellow and Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room fellow based in NYC. Like many kids of Syriac immigrants from Turkey, I was taught at a young age to fear all egg-based condiments. After a childhood spent in hiding from mayonnaise, I studied teaching at Columbia University’s Teachers College and journalism at NYU. This was followed by comedy at The Second City Film School and UCB, where I unveiled lovable zany characters inspired by my unknown heritage, quiet suburban upbringing and that one time I had brain surgery.

I’ve written for “Rubble & Crew” (Spin Master/Nick Jr.), “LEGO Duplo Adventures” (Moonbug), “Alma’s Way” (Fred Rogers Productions/PBS Kids) and two upcoming Moonbug preschool series. And I’m currently developing an original 6-11 comedy series, “Unibrow,” with Very Big World Entertainment. I’ve also freelanced or worked for Sesame Workshop, Global Tinker, Parents.com, Parents Latina, WorkingNation, Guideposts, Mediabistro and more. I frequently write about my family and heritage, crafts, DIY, food and books. And I love any story involving secret codes, baklava, eyebrows… and secret codes about baklava eyebrows.

On that note… my animated middle-grade comedy pilot “Sisters Baklava” was chosen for a Sesame Workshop fellowship table read. And my short film “The Engagement Chicken” was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Short at the 2022 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. I am also a recipient of The Second City’s Stuart Cornfeld Award and the Nickie’s Prize for Humor Writing.

In my spare time, I perform improv, craft oddball jewelry and contemplate where exclamation points come from.