Michel's Biography

Michel El-Ashkar (Actor and Dramatist) - After spending several years researching extensively the work of the late artist and poet Kahlil Gibran, it became evident to Michel El-Ashkar that the personal life of this great man is as interesting and important as his paintings and writings. Enlightened by this notion and inspired by a certain affinity for his subject, El-Ashkar has attempted to bring Gibran’s world to life. He crafted a poignant two-act dramatic interpretation which chronicles many of the highlights of Gibran’s life and places emphasis upon the pivotal people that crossed his path. This play has masterfully captured the very essence of Kahlil Gibran, the young vibrant Lebanese immigrant who came to America in the very early part of the twentieth century.

El-Ashkar, much like Gibran, left his homeland which was torn by war and economic strife. Both wanted desperately to forge a new beginning and so they chose Boston, noted for its artistic and cultural sophistication as well as its appreciation for freedom and education.

Michel El-Ashkar is no newcomer to the artistic and literary scene. He hails from an artistic family that embodies the utmost respect for literature, music and the performing arts. In fact, he was a child actor in his native Lebanon, where he received his early training from prominent local dramatists and performed in various theatre productions. He later appeared in an Egyptian motion picture performing beside legendary artists in the Arab World. The tragic war of Lebanon brought an abrupt end to any promising acting career. After immigrating to the United States and settling in Boston, he retained his passion for the theatre and its craft. During his college years and while majoring in civil engineering, Michel continued to hone his acting skills and he appeared in a variety of local theatre productions.

The debut of A Child of Life took place in December 1999 as part of The First International Conference on Kahlil Gibran held under the auspices of the University of Maryland. An array of international scholars, poets, playwrights and producers praised Mr. El-Ashkar for his warm, unique and genuine portrayal of Kahlil Gibran.

Since that debut, Mr. El-Ashkar has been invited to present his literary and artistic achievement in the land of Shakespeare where his greatest endorsement came from the internationally known poet and dramatist Francis Warner, Emeritus Fellow-Oxford and Honorary Fellow-Cambridge, who wrote:

“You evoke Gibran’s personality and circumstances very well, and clearly understand them from the inside. It is sensitively written, deeply felt, and plays with the audience’s emotions in the best way. You have written something powerful, effective and individual which also teaches without being intrusive or breaking decorum. I congratulate you.”

After London, the road has taken A Child of Life to various cities and capitals around the world, many bestowing honors upon Mr. El-Ashkar and proclaiming Kahlil Gibran Day.