From Taleen Babayan

Taleen Babayan

Taleen Babayan, a longtime correspondent for the newspaper in the New York-New Jersey area, earned an MS degree from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism and a BA in history and international relations from Tufts University. She currently serves as the associate director of communications, development and stewardship at the American University of Armenia in Los Angeles. She volunteers for countless Armenian organizations, including the Tekeyan Cultural Association, Armenian Network of America and the Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey. The first play she wrote, directed and produced, “Where Is Your Groom?” (Pesad Oor Eh) and its sequel touched upon the themes of assimilation and cultural identity through satire while speaking to audience’s hearts and minds as the 25-person Armenian cast and crew performed for 15 Armenian-American communities in sold-out shows across the country. Another play she wrote, directed and produced, “From Sacred Wrath,” focuses on an Armenian-American family who shares mixed emotions during the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. This play was also well-received, performed to two sold-out audiences at the Davenport Theatre in Manhattan and named Honorable Mention in the ADAA’s William Saroyan Playwriting Prize. Other projects include her short film, “Basbousa,” shot on location in Paterson, NJ, which was accepted into the Indie Street Film Festival and Atlantic City Cinefest as well as the selection of her play “Thirty,” for the Theater for the New City’s New City New Blood reading series in New York City. She has worked in communications, research and development for New York City-based non-profits and has published widely in print and digital media.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — The symbolic and mystic lands of Cilicia were brought to life for the Greater New York metro area by international photographer Hrair Hawk Khatcherian on Thursday,[...]

LOS ANGELES — Thanking the Diaspora and encouraging closer ties between Armenia and the diaspora formed the core of the message Sunday, September 22, in Grand Park as up to[...]

BURBANK, Calif. – The visionary platform of Nerouj, a leading organization that uplifts and inspires the Armenian youth in Los Angeles in a tangible and practical manner, presented its Entrepreneurial[...]

NEW YORK — As the world commemorated the Armenian Genocide throughout the month of April, families reflected on the struggles and survival of their parents and grandparents, keeping the memory[...]

PASADENA, Calif. — A monumental and moving concert by the Lark Musical Society, featuring Johannes Brahms magnum opus, took place on Saturday, March 2, at the Ambassador Auditorium, under the[...]

PASADENA, Calif. — The VEM Quartet of the University of California Los Angeles, performed for students of the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School on Friday, January 11, in[...]

GLENDALE — Internationally renowned nuclear physicist Dr. Yuri Oganesyan, the only living person on the periodic table of elements, was honored for his lifetime achievements by the Armenian Engineers and[...]

HOLLYWOOD — The wide scope and visionary initiative of the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California was highlighted during its Inaugural Gala on Sunday, December 9, at the[...]

LOS ANGELES — It’s half past twelve on a Saturday afternoon in Sherman Oaks. Extended families are ready to feast on homemade mante and manaish, kebab and kufteh reminiscent of[...]

ORADELL, N.J. — Joe Assadourian is a hugger. He doesn’t offer a half-hearted greeting, but a tight embrace, holding on for a few seconds as if enveloping a long-lost friend.[...]

GLENDALE — An altercation on the Herbert Hoover High School campus in Glendale in October incited decades-old racial and cultural strife among Armenians and other ethnic groups, reflecting on the[...]