Photographer: by Michael Dos Santos

Fashion Stylist: Aidyn Crowe

Producer: Kim Meisner of Coconspirator Productions

Makeup Artist and Groomer: Legend Rivera Jr

Hair Stylist: Dana Boyer

Male Talent: Clint Mauro w/ Al David Management

Prop Stylist: Michele Faro w/ Brydges Mackinney

Cinematographer: Joe Toto

Lighting Tech: Santiago Portillo

Digital Tech:Nik Rocklin

Assistants: Herman Yung and Abigail Fuqua

 

 

 

 

 

Necar Zadegan permeates in her many roles no matter whether it be on television, on the stage, or on the big screen. Her dynamic talent is hard to ignore as is her sense of belongingness to the craft which she calls her destiny; even having declared at the tender age of six that one day she would move to L.A. to pursue her acting career. She loves acting and the performances that would follow out of her passion were to be her destiny – a destiny which resonated with her even in her earliest years.

 

German by birth, Iranian by heritage, and American by upbringing, Necar admits the diversity of her cultural background which gives her an added edge we see in her work; Necar is making Tinseltown and the rest of us take notice and stay captivated. With roles in television series such as the FOX’ “24”, CBS’ “CSI: Miami,” “the Unit,” “NCIS,” and “How I Met Your Mother,” ABC’ “Lost,” FX’s “Nip/Tuck,” and “The Shield,” NBC’ “Undercovers” and “Outlaw”, as well as her current role on “The Event” playing the part of the mysterious “Isabelle”, Necar is quickly building an impressive repertoire even carrying roles in films like YOU DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN, as well as the recently released studio feature UNTHINKABLE in which Necar stars alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Sheen. But, perhaps her most memorable performance to date is her role in the critically acclaimed film ELENA UNDONE in which she plays the title role of Elena Winters. Interestingly enough the film won Necar some unexpected recognition – holding the record for the “Longest Kiss in Film” with co-star actress Traci Dinwiddie.

 

In addition to her film and television work Necar also returned to the stage opposite Robin Williams, as part of the original cast of the Pulitzer Prize nominated play The Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo directed by Tony Award nominee Moises Kaufman and playing on Broadway. We recently caught up with Necar during production of the play in New York City to discuss her many projects.

 

 

 

Tell me about the Bengal Tiger in Baghdad; what is the premise?

This beautiful play really is a ghost story that resides somewherebetween realism and poetic metaphor and challenges us and its audiencesto enter a world of existential meditation for about 2 hours.

 

 

Tell me about your character.

I play 2 characters, an Iraqi woman who lives in the realism of theplay in the first act, tackling the tragedies of war and then in the second act I play a leper woman who exists in the magical realism of the playand is really something of an angel in disguise. With these characters I want to illuminate the many faces of Iraq, but particularly with the leper, I want to draw attention to the land as it lives and breathes through her, its long history and its many incarnations from the Garden of Eden to its war torn occupied present existence, from her misshapen silhouette to every line she speaks.

 

 

What about this character do you relate with?

Both of these characters exhibit a strength in their situations andwithin their environment that makes them survivors, that is what attracts me to them and where I find value in them.

 

 

Tell me how you came to land this role?

Before I even knew much about the show, I saw some small breakdown inthe trades about a play whose characters included a tiger and a leper. Iwas sold and I pushed my management to get me an audition. Apparentlywhen I met our director Moises Kaufman he was sold too because I bookedthe part.

 

 

What is it like to share the stage with Robin Williams?

It is a nightly privilege and joy. Robin is a truly magnificent actor as is evidenced by his many accolades, but he is also warm and giving and so humble after all his years of success, I am an even bigger fan after having worked with him.

 

 

How did you prepare for this role?

The language of my characters is Arabic so I spent a lot of time studying hard with tutors and watching Arab TV to get the flow of the language and the physicality of the people. I’m a bit method too so I began listening to Arab music in the car all the time. Of course the production was great too, providing us with lots of footage and materials of local Iraqis dealing with the Marines during raids and on the day to day. Moises' process is truly an ensemble way of working and we rehearsed the heck out of this thing, always ruminating on its many themes, like a philosophy class.

 

 

Tell me about your work on “The Event”.

My character on The Event also was a survivor in many ways, the driven and ambitious Isabelle. We had to contemplate on a set of new rules for these characters because their rules and way of thinking belonged to analien world, which was the challenge there. At the same time, Isabelle rebelled completely against those rules and I loved her for that.

 

 

How did you get into acting? What about the profession drew you at such a young age?

I always wanted to be an actor. My parents were very supportive and wanted to open the whole world to us and when they saw my inclinations were artistic, they helped me all the time to nourish it. Having that allowed me the freedom to explore it. My first pro gig was a tour of Beauty and the Beast and Peribanez when I was 16 in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. My high school drama teacher encouraged me to audition and I booked it and off I went.

 

 

Tell me about your work with Behrouz Vossoughi and Houshang Touzi.

When I moved to LA I stumbled upon this Persian touring theater company called workshop 79 that Houshang owned and was doing a show with Behrouz at the time. I was fresh out of college and was eager to tour the world. Workshop 79 is a renowned company in the Persian community and we were able to reach so many audiences, from Canada to Dubai to Sweden and allover the world, we'd sell out thousand seat houses at a time. Behrouz is the biggest movie star to ever come out of Iran, I learned a lot just watching how he handled people around him and working overseas too among the foreign press and producers we would come into contact with was also eye opening. I grew so much from that experience.

 

 

You work as a cultural ambassador for Levantine Center Organization. What does that entail exactly?

I am very motivated in my work to take on projects and characters that are intrinsically powerful in a current sense. My ideals are very dearto me and constantly I am interested in moving forward, becoming deeper and better and that transfers very much to my work and my world view. When I was introduced to The Levantine center, I related to its mission to create understanding and enlightenment through the arts. I have been happy to be able to support and work with the organization. They have been able to offer great beauty to LA through their programs and I want to see the center continue to grow.

 

 

Any new roles coming up?

I will be returning to TV in the role of "Madeline" in a new series for CBS called A Gifted Man. Really looking forward to playing this new role!

 

...CLOTHING CREDITS...

Image 1

CLINT:

Ralph Lauren Black Label White Shirt

Ralph Lauren Black Label Tux

 

NECAR:

Maggie Norris Couture Beaded Gown

Vintage Necklace (Stylist Own)

 

Image 3

Ari Dein Petit Mort High Waisted Knicker After Glow

Andalou Camisole After Glow

Yves Saint Laurent shoes

Vintage earrings

Victoria's Secret Thigh Highs

Sunglasses by Balenciaga

 

Image 4

CLINT:

Ralph Lauren Black Label White Shirt

Ralph Lauren Black Label Tux

 

NECAR:

Les Ondes Ruffle Bralet

Les Ondes Garter Belt

Les Ondes Thong Urchin

Lillian Long Robe (Night Cafe?)

Image 5

CLINT:

Ralph Lauren Black Label Tux Pants 

 

NECAR:

Les Ondes Ruffle Bralet

Les Ondes Garter Belt

Les Ondes Thong Urchin

Michael Antonio Gezana Shoe in Black

Ari Dein Lingerie

Image 6

Maggie Norris Couture Cape Coat

Maggie Norris Couture Beaded Gown

Vintage Necklace (Stylist Own)

Vintage briefcase by Louis Vuitton

Layla Joy Rosa Shoe in Cognac