Mada means “Horizon” in Arabic. Mada was founded by Majdi Bou-Matar and Nada Humsi in Waterloo Region, Canada. Majdi passed away in 2022. In January 2023, Nada incorporated the previous Mada Collective as a not for profit company to keep the memory and the legacy of Majdi Bou-Matar alive. Mada is registered as a theatre for Arts and Growth, which represents growth of artistic productions, a tree i
nto fruits, a baby into an adult, an egg to a chick, linking the authentic arts with nature. Mada is a combination of Majdi and Nada’s names (Ma-da). Majdi and Nada shared a passion for creating Arabic theatre in Canada. Three of the early productions of Mada were written and performed by Ahmad Meree. In 2016, Ahmad Meree was sponsored by Majdi to come to Canada through a collaboration of The Multicultural Theatre Space and Levant for Arts and Culture in Waterloo Region. Ahmad debuted his first work, Adrenaline, under Mada in February 2017. Mada's Mandate:
To centralize SWANA/Arab professional and emerging performing artists.
To promote and spread knowledge about the SWANA/Arab arts, culture and heritage.
To introduce the young SWANA/Arab Canadians to their culture and language, and encourage them to get involved in arts.
. To help SWANA/Arab emerging, professional and newcomer artists navigate through the Canadian arts system, focusing on artists returning to their practice.
To provide opportunities to artists with special needs and disabilities.
To commit to authentic representation of the culture of any community represented by Mada's work.
To integrate art and bridge the gap between the performing artists and the broader community by:
*Inviting the community members to be part of Mada’s creation processes.
*Building connections between artists across the diaspora.
*Working on subjects that are relevant and urgent.
*Providing accessible and affordable practices.
