THEY CALL YOU A DOCTOR
Presented as part of the 2024 Toronto Fringe Festival, written by and starring Lwam Ghebrehariat
July 3-14, 2024
Tarragon Theatre Solo Room, 30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1X3
More information and tickets available online at https://fringetoronto.com/
In this solo piece, Dr. Lwam Ghebrehariat — a psychiatrist, lawyer, writer, and performer — explores the intersection of theatre, psychiatry, philosophy, law, and comedy in an exhilarating and dramatic lecture. Perhaps at its heart, this piece explores the human soul’s relationship to modern psychiatry, from the unique perspective of someone working in different professional and creative roles.
Lwam Ghebrehariat has received national recognition and positive reviews for theatrical and comedy performances: “The first thing you need to know is that Lwam Ghebrehariat is a wildly likeable performer.” (My Entertainment World); “[P]ersuasive performances… from Lwam Ghebrehariat…” (Toronto Star); “Outstanding Performance” (NOW Magazine). He has appeared in productions for CanStage, Summerworks (Outstanding Performance), and the Toronto Fringe Festival, among others. His 2010 performance in Homegrown (Summerworks) garnered national attention.
He is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada (Acting), the University of Alberta (BA, Philosophy), the University of Toronto Faculty of Law (JD), and McMaster University medical school (MD). He was elected valedictorian of both his law school and medical school.
Psychoactive Theatre
They Call You a Doctor
presented as part of the 2024 Toronto Fringe Festival, written by and starring Lwam Ghebrehariat
July 3-14, 2024
Tarragon Theatre Solo Room, 30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1X3
More information and tickets available online at https://fringetoronto.com/
Media Rep Contact: Lwam Ghebrehariat Media Rep Email: Lwam [dot] ghebrehariat [at] gmail [dot] com
Toronto Fringe Publicist Damien Nelson at damien@wantandable.ca
Here is a recording of my medical school valedictorian speech at McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) in 2017. I hope you enjoy it.
I’ve been honoured to be part of a group of friends sponsoring a family of refugees to come to Canada. You can learn about our efforts here: http://coachhousecoop.ca
Here’s a recent fun fundraiser that we had:
May 23, 2015:
A few days ago I received a copy of Lampedusa in the mail. Lampedusa is a play written by Anders Lustgarten about a UK woman facing the daily reality of austerity, and an Italian man coming to terms with the desperation of African and Middle Eastern migrants arriving on the shores of his country:
“You try to keep them at arm’s length. If you let them get close, you never know what they might ask for. On the boat the survivors start talking to me, pleading their case, like I can do anything for them.
It’s not part of my job to have to listen to their stories.
There’s too many of them.
And it makes you think.
About the randomness of I get to walk these streets and he doesn’t.
You start thinking about things like that, the ground becomes ocean under your feet.”
Anders Lustgarten, “Lampedusa”
And here’s “Lampedusa” the song, made in honour of refugees who drown in the Mediterranean:
April 29, 2015: I’ve been in medical school since September, and it’s flying right by. There’s much to learn. Sometimes I’m asked “why did you leave the law?” The best answer I have is that I didn’t actually leave the law (I couldn’t do that even if I wanted to), I just wanted to explore different aspects of it, and find new ways to use my legal education.
As if to remind me that I’m still a lawyer, this story recently appeared in the Toronto Star about a case that I was involved in as a duty counsel. It raises questions of the standards that judges are held to, and what happens when there’s a failure to meet that standard. Also: what does it mean to be treated equally in a courtroom? What are bias and prejudice, how deep do these things run, and how can we keep them out of the courtroom, if at all? I invite you to read this story and tell me what you think:
Hearings into Justice of the Peace’s remarks should proceed, lawyer says
Robert Whittaker retired before a disciplinary probe could examine allegations that he made controversial comments to defendants in court. But a Toronto criminal defence lawyer says that for the sake of transparency, the review should still be conducted
September 20, 2014: It’s been a few months since my one man comedy show at the Toronto Fringe! Mooney on Theatre gave a great review of it! Read it here. And here are a few clips from the show:
July 2014: I’m doing a solo in the Toronto Fringe! Check out the details below. Here’s a Toronto Star story about it. And BlogTO has put me on their list of 15 promising shows! Tickets are available here!
“LWAM IS ERITREA’S GREATEST HOCKEY PLAYER”
The hilarious experiences of a legal aid lawyer, underemployed actor, and East African hockey legend.
Lawyer and performer Lwam Ghebrehariat (“Outstanding Performance”, NOW Magazine, 2010) weaves together the raw material of his life, playfully exploring the themes of justice, race, and relationships.
Tarragon Solo Room 30 Bridgman Ave Toronto
Performances:
Wed July 02 at 8:15 PM Sat July 05 at 1:30 PM Sun July 06 at 6:15 PM Mon July 07 at 4:00 PM Tue July 08 at 6:45 PM Thu July 10 at 9:45 PM Fri July 11 at 5:15 PM Sat July 12 at 9:45 PM
|
Tickets:
Purchase online: By phone: 416-966-1062 In Person: During the festival, at the Festival Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St West) |
Media Contact:
Lwam Ghebrehariat Phone: 416-737-6359
Email and website: lwam.ghebrehariat@gmail.com
Fringe Communications: Claire Wynveen |
I’ll be performing at the Second City Main Stage in Toronto on May 1! It’s part of a comedy documentary. Here are the details:
Cosimo Tucci’s (a great and funny guy!) “Just Talking” is a stand-up special that will be filmed live as the ending to a feature length documentary film titled Just Talking.
Featuring: Lwam Ghebrehariat and Garret Jamieson
Produced By: Ian Pozzebon
May 1st, 11pm, doors at 10:30
Tickets: $5.00
Tickets available here: http://www.secondcity.com/performances/detail/2153/
I’m currently writing and producing a solo show which I will be performing at the 2014 Toronto Fringe Festival (July 2-13, 2014)! I’ll be doing 45 to 60 minutes of stand up comedy and story-telling. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Topics will include law, identity, politics, and what it means to be Eritrea’s greatest hockey player. Stay tuned for more details!
the fringe festival is july 2-13, 2014
I’ve been selected to perform at a showcase with some of Toronto’s best new comedians. The show is on Monday September 10, 2012, at 8 pm at Second City, 51 Mercer Street. 5 finalists will be selected to perform at the “Cream of Comedy” showcase in late October. Tickets and information are available at:
http://www.secondcity.com/performances/detail/1316/
PLUS:
On Friday September 21, 2012 I will be co-hosting a comedy show featuring stand up, improv, and sketch comedy performed by lawyers! The show is called THE FRIVOLOUS AND VEXATIOUS SHOW and will be at the Free Times Cafe, 320 College Street, Toronto, at 8:30. All are welcome! More details to come!
Lawyer, Comedian, and now medicine! talk about life long learner and an inspiration brotha Luwam. How do I keep in touch, to understand your experience navigating through the medical field?
Samuel Sebhatu
Hi Samuel! Thanks for your comment! Feel free to email me at Lwam.ghebrehariat@gmail.com! Have a great day!