Isa TotahActor
Gibran
Isa played the lead role in Gibran, one of four short plays written and directed by Milton Katselas.
“The tautly performed piece gets viewers' brains and hearts pumping”
— LA Times
An energetic script, with volatile, interesting performances, and the right kinetic energy.”
— Backstage
Isa played the lead role in Gibran, one of four short plays written and directed by Milton Katselas.
“The tautly performed piece gets viewers' brains and hearts pumping”
— LA Times
An energetic script, with volatile, interesting performances, and the right kinetic energy.”
— Backstage
From the Earth to the Moon
Isa Totah played a starring role in the Emmy Award winning HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon
Co-produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Tom Hanks, and Michael Bostick, the miniseries tells the story of the landmark Apollo expeditions to the Moon during the 1960s and early 1970s in docudrama format.
Science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clark, singled out Isa's performance as a personal favorite.
Isa Totah played a starring role in the Emmy Award winning HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon
Co-produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Tom Hanks, and Michael Bostick, the miniseries tells the story of the landmark Apollo expeditions to the Moon during the 1960s and early 1970s in docudrama format.
Science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clark, singled out Isa's performance as a personal favorite.
America
America is a screenplay, written by Isa Totah. It is being produced by Mark Johnson with Isa attached to direct.
Partially autobiographical, the film centers around an Arab immigrant family's attempt to adapt to a new culture.
Recently, a producer reading of the screenplay was held in front of an audience at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Some excerpts are in the video below.
America is a screenplay, written by Isa Totah. It is being produced by Mark Johnson with Isa attached to direct.
Partially autobiographical, the film centers around an Arab immigrant family's attempt to adapt to a new culture.
Recently, a producer reading of the screenplay was held in front of an audience at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Some excerpts are in the video below.
Battle
Early in Isa's acting career, his first acting teacher saw that he had a talent as a director and encouraged to pursue this along with his acting ambitions. Over the years, he's directed hundreds of students in plays, short films, and showcases.
In Battle, Isa turned a scene in an acting class into an award winning short. He wrote, acted and directed this piece about the aftermath of war for two veterans.
Early in Isa's acting career, his first acting teacher saw that he had a talent as a director and encouraged to pursue this along with his acting ambitions. Over the years, he's directed hundreds of students in plays, short films, and showcases.
In Battle, Isa turned a scene in an acting class into an award winning short. He wrote, acted and directed this piece about the aftermath of war for two veterans.
JUDGE'S PICK 2015
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Seeing Double
This iconic play opened to 4,000 people in Dolores Park in San Francisco, and continued for a two year run, throughout the United States, and Israel. A collaboration of Jewish and Arab artists, this play broke ground in addressing the Palestinian Israeli conflict at a time when the subject was largely ignored by the artistic community. It was a farcical comedy in the vein of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors. Isa acted and was a co-writer in this multi-award winning play.
The play has since been published in the Yale Drama Review, The Mime Troupe Reader and in American Theatre Magazine.
"Seeing Double was my Almost Famous — the Cameron Crowe, coming-of-age, film about his teenage tour with a rock band. I had just started acting lessons and nine months later I was on stage performing in front of thousands. If the acting bug hadn't bitten yet, it surely did that summer with the Troupe. — I was hooked.
"The writing process was a mini-peace conference in of itself, with Arab and Jewish artists negotiating every line. The result was ultimately brilliant — a musical farce about Israel and Palestine. What a first play to experience — it was an adventure I'll never forget. We spent the summer in the Bay Area performing to record crowds, and then toured the play in the U.S. in the Fall. The tour felt like I was with a rock band, going from town to town, complete with long drives, praise and an occasional groupie. I was the newbie along for the ride. The following Spring we took it to the Israel Festival in Jerusalem, and that was quite an experience. After the festival, we performed on a kibbutz in Northern Israel and at the El Hakawati Palestinian National Theater. It was in Seeing Double that I learned the power of humor to disuse and disarm, when addressing hot topics. I had been in politics before, but I was constantly amazed at the power of this little play to invoke emotions in the audience. I keep telling myself I should write a movie about that first summer."
Isa Totah
This iconic play opened to 4,000 people in Dolores Park in San Francisco, and continued for a two year run, throughout the United States, and Israel. A collaboration of Jewish and Arab artists, this play broke ground in addressing the Palestinian Israeli conflict at a time when the subject was largely ignored by the artistic community. It was a farcical comedy in the vein of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors. Isa acted and was a co-writer in this multi-award winning play.
The play has since been published in the Yale Drama Review, The Mime Troupe Reader and in American Theatre Magazine.
"Seeing Double was my Almost Famous — the Cameron Crowe, coming-of-age, film about his teenage tour with a rock band. I had just started acting lessons and nine months later I was on stage performing in front of thousands. If the acting bug hadn't bitten yet, it surely did that summer with the Troupe. — I was hooked.
"The writing process was a mini-peace conference in of itself, with Arab and Jewish artists negotiating every line. The result was ultimately brilliant — a musical farce about Israel and Palestine. What a first play to experience — it was an adventure I'll never forget. We spent the summer in the Bay Area performing to record crowds, and then toured the play in the U.S. in the Fall. The tour felt like I was with a rock band, going from town to town, complete with long drives, praise and an occasional groupie. I was the newbie along for the ride. The following Spring we took it to the Israel Festival in Jerusalem, and that was quite an experience. After the festival, we performed on a kibbutz in Northern Israel and at the El Hakawati Palestinian National Theater. It was in Seeing Double that I learned the power of humor to disuse and disarm, when addressing hot topics. I had been in politics before, but I was constantly amazed at the power of this little play to invoke emotions in the audience. I keep telling myself I should write a movie about that first summer."
Isa Totah
Opening day in Dolores Park, San Francisco
Arthur Holden and Isa Totah in Seeing Double
Publications
Isa Totah's works have been published in various magazines and books. He's also been interviewed on dozens of radio programs as well as Charlie Rose on TV.
Seeing Double, in which he acted and co-wrote, was published in the Yale Drama Review and featured on the cover of American Theater Magazine.
Back to Normal was published in the Mime Troupe Reader.
Isa Totah's works have been published in various magazines and books. He's also been interviewed on dozens of radio programs as well as Charlie Rose on TV.
Seeing Double, in which he acted and co-wrote, was published in the Yale Drama Review and featured on the cover of American Theater Magazine.
Back to Normal was published in the Mime Troupe Reader.
Yale Drama Review reprint of Seeing Double.
Mime Troupe Reader published Back to Normal
Back to Normal
Isa Totah served as a co-writer and actor in this award winning play about the first Gulf war. The San Francisco Mime Troupe is a Tony Award winning theater company that has performed provocative political theater since the 1950’s. Months after it’s debut as a “Mime” company, performing on hastily thrown together stages on streets of San Francisco, members of the troupe decided to forsake “mime” for dialogue and song driven plays. The name “Mime Troupe” stuck, however, justified by the broader definition of “mime” as storytelling. The style of the outdoor theater company combines musical theater, with comedia dell arte, with each cast member performing multiple characters.
Back to Normal proved to be one of their most successful productions, tackling the conspiracy theories surrounding the Bush family and the first Iraq war. It received rave reviews and was performed to thousands in the parks of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was later published in the Mime Troupe Reader.
Back to Normal peels back the red-white-and-blue veneer of Anywhere U.S.A.—the fictional Central Valley town of Normal, in this case—and probes the deep-seated ambivalence and malaise the war left behind.
— Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle
Isa Totah served as a co-writer and actor in this award winning play about the first Gulf war. The San Francisco Mime Troupe is a Tony Award winning theater company that has performed provocative political theater since the 1950’s. Months after it’s debut as a “Mime” company, performing on hastily thrown together stages on streets of San Francisco, members of the troupe decided to forsake “mime” for dialogue and song driven plays. The name “Mime Troupe” stuck, however, justified by the broader definition of “mime” as storytelling. The style of the outdoor theater company combines musical theater, with comedia dell arte, with each cast member performing multiple characters.
Back to Normal proved to be one of their most successful productions, tackling the conspiracy theories surrounding the Bush family and the first Iraq war. It received rave reviews and was performed to thousands in the parks of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was later published in the Mime Troupe Reader.
Back to Normal peels back the red-white-and-blue veneer of Anywhere U.S.A.—the fictional Central Valley town of Normal, in this case—and probes the deep-seated ambivalence and malaise the war left behind.
— Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle
Isa Totah plays Tony Orlando as the Back to Normal cast sing "Voices in the Air," for the Iraq war vets, a satirical take on the songs celebrities sing for causes… The lyrics begin:
We're voices in the air
We're over here,
You're over there.
Could be right
Could be wrong.
You go fight
We'll sing this song.
We're voices in the air
We're over here,
You're over there.
Could be right
Could be wrong.
You go fight
We'll sing this song.
San Francisco Chronicle's Rave Review
Beat
Isa plays Alan Ginsberg in this award winning play, directed by Anthony Saint Martin at the North Beach Repertory Theatre in San Francisco.
“The Ginsberg Character, played by Isa Totah, is so right on in a thousand subtle shrugs, kvetches, flirtations, behind the scenes machinations and strokings-of-beard, that Totah is practically channelling the young poet who went on to fine tune the Beat Generation's public image from the cafes of Grant Street to world clique.”
Isa plays Alan Ginsberg in this award winning play, directed by Anthony Saint Martin at the North Beach Repertory Theatre in San Francisco.
“The Ginsberg Character, played by Isa Totah, is so right on in a thousand subtle shrugs, kvetches, flirtations, behind the scenes machinations and strokings-of-beard, that Totah is practically channelling the young poet who went on to fine tune the Beat Generation's public image from the cafes of Grant Street to world clique.”
– Poetry Flash Magazine
A short clip cut from a performance of Beat:
Milton Katselas
Isa spent over a decade working with iconic acting teacher and director, Milton Katselas. Katselas took a special interest in Isa, directing him in two plays and inviting him to teach acting at his school.
Today, in-between jobs, Isa teaches acting to new and veteran performers.
"Isa is one of those rare actors that has the ability to mesmerize audiences with his performances."
— Milton Katselas
Isa spent over a decade working with iconic acting teacher and director, Milton Katselas. Katselas took a special interest in Isa, directing him in two plays and inviting him to teach acting at his school.
Today, in-between jobs, Isa teaches acting to new and veteran performers.
"Isa is one of those rare actors that has the ability to mesmerize audiences with his performances."
— Milton Katselas
Obie Award
As a member of the Tony Award winning San Francisco Mime Troupe team that created the groundbreaking play, Seeing Double, Isa was awarded an Obie Award.
The San Francisco Mime Troupe does not do silent pantomime. Rather, there is another definition of mime as "an ancient farcical drama using mimicry."
Since the 1950's, the Troupe has tackled social and political issues with dialogue and song driven satirical plays in the parks of the San Francisco Bay Area, and in indoor theaters around the globe. They seek to make audiences laugh at the absurdities of contemporary life and at the same time, get a message across.
Isa worked on two plays with the Troupe, as both an actor and a writer — Seeing Double and Back to Normal. Both were huge successes and multi-award winners.
As a member of the Tony Award winning San Francisco Mime Troupe team that created the groundbreaking play, Seeing Double, Isa was awarded an Obie Award.
The San Francisco Mime Troupe does not do silent pantomime. Rather, there is another definition of mime as "an ancient farcical drama using mimicry."
Since the 1950's, the Troupe has tackled social and political issues with dialogue and song driven satirical plays in the parks of the San Francisco Bay Area, and in indoor theaters around the globe. They seek to make audiences laugh at the absurdities of contemporary life and at the same time, get a message across.
Isa worked on two plays with the Troupe, as both an actor and a writer — Seeing Double and Back to Normal. Both were huge successes and multi-award winners.
San Francisco Examiner
Jean Shelton
"My first acting teacher was Jean Shelton, who I always acknowledge for helping me build a strong foundation in my acting technique. For six years, we would do scenes for Jean until ten PM, then, several of us would walk half a block to the White Horse Tavern to talk about acting for another two hours. It was the time of my life.
"Jean directed me in two plays, James McClure's Private Wars and Tennessee Williams' little known, Small Craft Warnings. She was also the first teacher that noticed I had an eye for directing, asking me to direct several of her students in scenes and plays.
I also did the lead in Fortinbras for the Actors Theatre across the hall, directed by Jean's son, Chris Philips."
"Think before you act, act before you think."
— Jean Shelton
"Acting is about making the other person the star."
— Jean Shelton
"My first acting teacher was Jean Shelton, who I always acknowledge for helping me build a strong foundation in my acting technique. For six years, we would do scenes for Jean until ten PM, then, several of us would walk half a block to the White Horse Tavern to talk about acting for another two hours. It was the time of my life.
"Jean directed me in two plays, James McClure's Private Wars and Tennessee Williams' little known, Small Craft Warnings. She was also the first teacher that noticed I had an eye for directing, asking me to direct several of her students in scenes and plays.
I also did the lead in Fortinbras for the Actors Theatre across the hall, directed by Jean's son, Chris Philips."
"Think before you act, act before you think."
— Jean Shelton
"Acting is about making the other person the star."
— Jean Shelton
Jean Shelton
My Caption
Visions and Lovers
Isa starred in this original play, written and directed by legendary acting teacher and director, Milton Katselas.
"Isa is one of those rare talents that has the ability to mesmerize audiences."
— Milton Katselas
"I have met a handful of masters in my life. Marylyn Monroe was one — sitting next to her in Lee Strasberg's class in New York, we all knew she was a master long before she became famous. Isa Totah is a master."
— Av Inlender (Dramaturge, Visions and Lovers)
"I had done a number of plays by the time Milton cast me in Visions and Lovers, but none were nearly as extraordinary as this. By the time it was over, I felt like I had received a doctorate in acting and directing, personally delivered by Milton Katselas. We worked on it for nearly a year, from inception to opening night. At times it was stressful, and I had my doubts whether I could produce the emotional range the role demanded. But like General Patton, Milton pushed forward until he got what he wanted, stretching me to depths I'd never achieved before. It was just two performers on stage for over an hour of choreography and intense emotions. In many ways, Milton's directing was a convergence of ballet and theater, with Felini-esque precision to all of the movements. We had to rehearse it for months before the movements became second nature — became a natural extension of our own impulses. The emotional demands were extreme, from the exhilaration of falling in love to grief and the madness of jealousy and obsession. The set was nothing more than an empty stage and two black boxes. Yet, through the choreography and lighting, we took the audience on a vivid ride from a beach to an art gallery. I was already an experienced actor when I was cast, but I grew so much on this project. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I'll never forget. In many ways, this is the play that really taught me how to act and direct."
— Isa Totah
Isa starred in this original play, written and directed by legendary acting teacher and director, Milton Katselas.
"Isa is one of those rare talents that has the ability to mesmerize audiences."
— Milton Katselas
"I have met a handful of masters in my life. Marylyn Monroe was one — sitting next to her in Lee Strasberg's class in New York, we all knew she was a master long before she became famous. Isa Totah is a master."
— Av Inlender (Dramaturge, Visions and Lovers)
"I had done a number of plays by the time Milton cast me in Visions and Lovers, but none were nearly as extraordinary as this. By the time it was over, I felt like I had received a doctorate in acting and directing, personally delivered by Milton Katselas. We worked on it for nearly a year, from inception to opening night. At times it was stressful, and I had my doubts whether I could produce the emotional range the role demanded. But like General Patton, Milton pushed forward until he got what he wanted, stretching me to depths I'd never achieved before. It was just two performers on stage for over an hour of choreography and intense emotions. In many ways, Milton's directing was a convergence of ballet and theater, with Felini-esque precision to all of the movements. We had to rehearse it for months before the movements became second nature — became a natural extension of our own impulses. The emotional demands were extreme, from the exhilaration of falling in love to grief and the madness of jealousy and obsession. The set was nothing more than an empty stage and two black boxes. Yet, through the choreography and lighting, we took the audience on a vivid ride from a beach to an art gallery. I was already an experienced actor when I was cast, but I grew so much on this project. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I'll never forget. In many ways, this is the play that really taught me how to act and direct."
— Isa Totah
The Time of Your Life
Isa played a Willie, the pinball maniac, alongside John Glover in this spirited play by William Saroyan.
Directed by Emmy Award winning producer/director, Gene Reynolds.
"The supporting roles were especially well acted… notably, Isa Totah."
— Backstage
Isa played a Willie, the pinball maniac, alongside John Glover in this spirited play by William Saroyan.
Directed by Emmy Award winning producer/director, Gene Reynolds.
"The supporting roles were especially well acted… notably, Isa Totah."
— Backstage
Fortinbras
Opportunity came knocking and Isa was ready to make the trek to Hollywood, four hundred miles south of San Francisco.
Then he got an offer to play the lead in Lee Blessings' Fortinbras, a comedic sequel to Hamlet, at the Actor's Theatre. He couldn't resist and put off his move down South.
The play was directed by Chris Philips and one reviewer likened Isa's comedic timing to a young Billy Cristal.
Opportunity came knocking and Isa was ready to make the trek to Hollywood, four hundred miles south of San Francisco.
Then he got an offer to play the lead in Lee Blessings' Fortinbras, a comedic sequel to Hamlet, at the Actor's Theatre. He couldn't resist and put off his move down South.
The play was directed by Chris Philips and one reviewer likened Isa's comedic timing to a young Billy Cristal.
Private Wars
Jean Shelton directed Isa in two plays, Small Craft Warnings and Private Wars.
In Private Wars, Isa played the lead in this popular James McClure comedy about the Vietnam war.
Jean Shelton directed Isa in two plays, Small Craft Warnings and Private Wars.
In Private Wars, Isa played the lead in this popular James McClure comedy about the Vietnam war.
Acting Coach
When Isa isn't performing or directing, he teaches advanced and beginner acting to students in Los Angeles.
His philosophy is the simplification of acting, freeing actors to live and "become" rather than act.
He also puts an emphasis on positive encouragement — actors need the utmost of confidence to perform and any critique that strips actors of belief in themselves is destructive, no matter how "brilliant" or well intended.
Success Stories from Isa's Students:
“Since I started Isa’s class, I have booked at least one to two jobs a month for six months straight!”
— W.C.
“All the questions I had on how to become the actress I need to be and getting to the next level were HERE!”
— J.M.
“I have gotten more out of three nights of Isa’s Acting Intensives than I have gotten from four years of going to other acting classes. Thank you!”
— M.J.
When Isa isn't performing or directing, he teaches advanced and beginner acting to students in Los Angeles.
His philosophy is the simplification of acting, freeing actors to live and "become" rather than act.
He also puts an emphasis on positive encouragement — actors need the utmost of confidence to perform and any critique that strips actors of belief in themselves is destructive, no matter how "brilliant" or well intended.
Success Stories from Isa's Students:
“Since I started Isa’s class, I have booked at least one to two jobs a month for six months straight!”
— W.C.
“All the questions I had on how to become the actress I need to be and getting to the next level were HERE!”
— J.M.
“I have gotten more out of three nights of Isa’s Acting Intensives than I have gotten from four years of going to other acting classes. Thank you!”
— M.J.
Roles
BIG AND SMALL SCREEN
From the Earth to the Moon — Starring role in Emmy Award winning HBO series
Married with Children — Guest Star
Battle — Lead in short film — also written and directed by Isa Totah
Niche — Starring role in short film
Purpose — Featured role in independent film
Solder of Fortune — Co-star in TV series
Jersey Rose — Featured role in independent film
One Hell of a Guy — Featured role in independent film
Eating L.A. — Supporting role in independent film
Elvis is Alive… — Featured role in independent film
Sunset Beach — Featured role
General Hospital — Featured role (recurring)
Black Widow - Supporting Role in independent film
Yes, But So What? — Featured role in independent film
Hymns for the Drowning — HBO new writer series
Days of Our Lives — Featured role
STAGE
Gibran — Lead in original play, written and directed by Milton Katselas
Visions and Lovers - Lead role in original Play written and directed by Milton Katselas
America — Lead in One Act Piece, also written and directed by Isa Totah
The Time of Your Life - Supporting role in the Saroyan play, directed by Emmy winner Gene Reynolds
Seeing Double — Co-writer and actor in Obie Award winning play. National and International tours. Published in Yale Drama Review. Cover of American Theater Magazine.
Back to Normal — Co-writer and actor in award winning play. National tour. Published in the Mime Troupe Reader
Beat — Lead in original play, directed by Anthony Saint Martin
Private Wars — Lead role in James McClure play, directed by Jean Shelton
Small Craft Warnings — Lead in little known play by Tennessee Williams, directed by Jean Shelton
Fortinbras — Lead role in Hamlet spin-off, directed by Chris Philips at the Actor's Theatre
The Wild Parrots of Sunset Boulevard — Lead in original play
BIG AND SMALL SCREEN
From the Earth to the Moon — Starring role in Emmy Award winning HBO series
Married with Children — Guest Star
Battle — Lead in short film — also written and directed by Isa Totah
Niche — Starring role in short film
Purpose — Featured role in independent film
Solder of Fortune — Co-star in TV series
Jersey Rose — Featured role in independent film
One Hell of a Guy — Featured role in independent film
Eating L.A. — Supporting role in independent film
Elvis is Alive… — Featured role in independent film
Sunset Beach — Featured role
General Hospital — Featured role (recurring)
Black Widow - Supporting Role in independent film
Yes, But So What? — Featured role in independent film
Hymns for the Drowning — HBO new writer series
Days of Our Lives — Featured role
STAGE
Gibran — Lead in original play, written and directed by Milton Katselas
Visions and Lovers - Lead role in original Play written and directed by Milton Katselas
America — Lead in One Act Piece, also written and directed by Isa Totah
The Time of Your Life - Supporting role in the Saroyan play, directed by Emmy winner Gene Reynolds
Seeing Double — Co-writer and actor in Obie Award winning play. National and International tours. Published in Yale Drama Review. Cover of American Theater Magazine.
Back to Normal — Co-writer and actor in award winning play. National tour. Published in the Mime Troupe Reader
Beat — Lead in original play, directed by Anthony Saint Martin
Private Wars — Lead role in James McClure play, directed by Jean Shelton
Small Craft Warnings — Lead in little known play by Tennessee Williams, directed by Jean Shelton
Fortinbras — Lead role in Hamlet spin-off, directed by Chris Philips at the Actor's Theatre
The Wild Parrots of Sunset Boulevard — Lead in original play
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