ABOUT

I’m a writer, comedian and performer, and a Staff Writer on the animated series Alma’s Way (Fred Rogers Productions). 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.), Alma’s Way, “LEGO Duplo Adventures” (Moonbug), “Ask Vida” (Moonbug), Furby shorts (Moonbug) and more. I was a Fred Rogers Productions fellow (2022) and a Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room fellow (2021). And I’m currently developing an original 6-11 comedy series, “Unibrow,” with Very Big World Entertainment. 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, and I am also a recipient of The Second City’s Stuart Cornfeld Award and the Nickie’s Prize for Humor Writing.

I also perform improv (UCB Harold team, Well Well Well, and Lloyd team, Grunch), sketch (“Broads in the Attic”), and stand-up comedy. In my spare time, I collect oddball jewelry and stare into days-old well water, contemplating where exclamation points come from.