Press
"...her presence is always open and welcoming. The subtle changes in her physicality, the tiny ways in which the story’s segments sit in her person...Ahmed carries us with her the entire way. Her struggles become ours, and her triumphs as well.
- Aaron Hunt, Chicago Theatre & Concert Reviews (review of The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
"At Friday night’s performance, Rena Ahmed was a fine, inspired Flora, displaying a strong, edgy mezzo, and painting an aptly discomfiting portrait of this bitter and unpleasant woman, conveying the existential dread and terror of Flora’s final monologue."
- Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review (review of The Medium, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
"You'll want to watch Ahmed's every move, because something is always going on behind those eyes. Go see this work. Martha will go home with you. You'll be talking about her for days."
- Aaron Hunt (review of Patience & Sarah, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
"Kudos to Rena Ahmed for pulling off the high-wire act of sustained, metaphorically naked (i.e., without instrumental accompaniment) vocal performance."
- Deanna Isaacs (review of Stitch, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
"...and there were some surprising breakout moments that came from smaller roles. Sister Wikins (Renee Lockett) gives some deep soul-reviving gospel singing while Maggie (Rena Ahmed) provides solid background vocals as one of the choir members. Ahmed’s voice truly resonated within the group choir scenes. Both actors are incredible vocalists."
- Naima Dawson, PerformInk (review of Waking Lazarus, Prologue Theatre Company)
"There was palpable pathos and even a degree of incipient madness in the Ruth of Rena Ahmed..."
- John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune (review of Dark Sisters, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
- Aaron Hunt, Chicago Theatre & Concert Reviews (review of The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
"At Friday night’s performance, Rena Ahmed was a fine, inspired Flora, displaying a strong, edgy mezzo, and painting an aptly discomfiting portrait of this bitter and unpleasant woman, conveying the existential dread and terror of Flora’s final monologue."
- Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review (review of The Medium, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
"You'll want to watch Ahmed's every move, because something is always going on behind those eyes. Go see this work. Martha will go home with you. You'll be talking about her for days."
- Aaron Hunt (review of Patience & Sarah, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
"Kudos to Rena Ahmed for pulling off the high-wire act of sustained, metaphorically naked (i.e., without instrumental accompaniment) vocal performance."
- Deanna Isaacs (review of Stitch, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)
"...and there were some surprising breakout moments that came from smaller roles. Sister Wikins (Renee Lockett) gives some deep soul-reviving gospel singing while Maggie (Rena Ahmed) provides solid background vocals as one of the choir members. Ahmed’s voice truly resonated within the group choir scenes. Both actors are incredible vocalists."
- Naima Dawson, PerformInk (review of Waking Lazarus, Prologue Theatre Company)
"There was palpable pathos and even a degree of incipient madness in the Ruth of Rena Ahmed..."
- John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune (review of Dark Sisters, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble)