UAE’s laughter queen talks about taking a leap of faith, building Dubai’s comedy industry

UAE’s laughter queen talks about taking a leap of faith, building Dubai’s comedy industry

In 2007, Mina performed in the emirate for the first time and was encouraged to start building a comedy scene

Mina Liccione. Photo: Supplied

Published: Mon 23 May 2022, 10:39 PM Last updated: Mon 23 May 2022, 11:10 PM

Billed as the UAE's first lady of comedy, Mina Liccione (born Christina M. Liccione) is an award-winning performing artist, comedian and emcee from New York who has made Dubai her home.

In 2008, she co-founded Dubomedy Arts with her husband Ali Al Sayed. The duo also founded the Clowns Who Care Project, which brings joy, awareness, and support to centres for children with special needs, refugee camps and hospitals.

Khaleej Times caught up with her on the sidelines of the Dubai Comedy Festival.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

How has the comedy scene evolved in Dubai?

I was first booked to perform in Dubai in 2007 at a Summer Arts Festival. At that time, there was no local comedy taking place here. Like myself, comedians were being flown in to perform. During that trip, I was encouraged by many to come back and start building a comedy scene and lead workshops in Dubai. So, I took the leap of faith. The cornerstone to anything sustainable is education, and I