Bassam’s professional journey started as an actor and dabke dancer. He received his bachelor degree in acting from the Lebanese University, and started to dive into the world of contemporary dance. After a long experimental research he conducted on “Arabic religious Rituals and their presence in physical theater”, he completed his masters degree in actor formation and worked as an actor for multiple years.
He danced with Maqamat Dance Company for several years. He performed in various performances, participated in a yearly dance intensive program “Takween”, and had the chance to work with international choreographers.
He created a performance for the national Academy of Rome phalastinian karma and co- created performances with European choreographers and performed them in Lebanon and Europe.
Based on his research on “Rituals and Movements”, he choreographed two different pieces, in Italy The Siege/L’Assedio, and in New York Home. Bassam created, choreographed and danced in not connected and Of What I Remember. He toured internationally with his creations Under the Flesh, Eternal, and Pina my Love who are currently on tour.
He also gives various workshops in Traditional dance, Contemporary Dabke, Contemporary dance and Rituals and Movements workshop.
In 2021, he founded Beirut Physical Lab, an organization aiming to support emerging artists in contemporary dance and physical theater by focusing on training, performances, local dance research, and local and international artistic collaborations.
ph. Jad Hatem