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Hamid Dehghani

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Hamid Dehghani
حمید دهقانی
Born (1984-05-26) May 26, 1984 (age 40)
EducationMFA Theatre Directing, Northwestern University; MA Theatre Directing, Tehran University of Art; BA Theatre, Tehran University of Art
Occupation(s)Director, Playwright, Actor
Notable workEnglish, Selling Kabul, From the Environs of Milad, Sohrab’s Transgression
AwardsBest Directing Award (From the Environs of Milad), Best Playwriting Award (From the Environs of Milad), Best Actor Award (Equus)
WebsiteOfficial Website

Hamid Dehghani is an Iranian director, playwright, and actor. His work spans theatre productions in both Iran and the United States, with a focus on storytelling that explores complex themes of identity, language, and human experiences. Dehghani has directed several notable plays, including English (play) by Sanaz Toossi and Selling Kabul by Sylvia Khoury. His career has also included acting roles and playwriting, with some of his works receiving awards in Iranian theatre festivals. He has collaborated with prominent theatres such as the Goodman Theatre, Guthrie Theater, and Northlight Theatre, contributing to both international and regional theatre landscapes.

Early life and education

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Hamid Dehghani was born in Iran, where he developed an early passion for theatre and storytelling. He pursued a bachelor's degree in theatre from Tehran University of Art, followed by a master's degree in Theatre Directing from the same institution. His academic journey culminated in earning an MFA in Theatre Directing from Northwestern University in the United States in 2023.[1]

Career

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Directing

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Dehghani has directed productions in both Iran and the United States. His works include a range of plays that have been noted for their thematic focus and execution. His major works include:

Year Title Playwright Theatre Notes
2024 English (play) Sanaz Toossi Guthrie Theatre, Goodman Theatre Co-production, critically acclaimed[2][3]
2024 Selling Kabul Sylvia Khoury Northlight Theatre Emotional, tense production[4][5]
2024 Baba Denmo Ebrahim Amphibian Stage Focus on immigrant stories[6]
2016 From the Environs of Milad Hamid Dehghani Iranshahr Theater Best Directing Award, Iran International Festival of University Theatre[7]
2009 Sohrab’s Transgression Hamid Dehghani Entezami Theater/Iran International Fadjr Theatre Festival Selected for the prestigious Fadjr Festival[8]
2004 Carnations Raymond Carver Tehran University of Art Early directorial work
2004 Leila Morteza Hoseinzadeh Tehran University of Art
2004 Nathan and Tabileth Barry Bermange Khourshid Theatre
2004 Le Bel Indifférent Jean Cocteau Tehran University of Art

Acting

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Dehghani has a background in acting, having performed in various Iranian and international productions:

Acting in Short Films

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Jade Farei Ali
2009 Yek Bar Se Husband
2007 Occasion Patient
2007 Unbreakable Mirrors (TV series) Officer Ahmadi
2006 Night Story Of The Boulevard Driver
2005 Who is Going All This Way Reza
2005 C473 Monologue C473
2006 To Die in Place of Another One Father

Acting in Plays

Year Title Role Theatre
2023 Andy Warhol in Iran Farhad Northlight Theatre
2015/2016 Sohrab’s Transgression Ali Entezami Theater/Iran International Fadjr Theatre Festival
2012 Barren (Barzakh) Sailor Iran International Fadjr Theatre Festival
2009/2011 From the Environs of Milad Soroush Iranshahr Theater/Iran International Festival of University Theater
2008 Afsooskhar Shahin Khourshid Theatre
2007 The Archbishop's Ceiling Adrian Khourshid Theatre
2007 Equus Alan Iran International Festival of University Theater
2006 The Last One Confessed Hamid Khourshid Theatre
2005 Let's Take a Little Walk Boy Iran Theatre Forum
2008 Charlie Grandson Molavi Theatre
2004 Rhinocéros Bérenger Experimental Theatre Festival
2002 The Legend of Nimrooz Messenger Fooladshahr Theatre

Writing

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Dehghani has also written several plays, including:

Year Title Notes
2016 Rood
2009 Sohrab’s Transgression Featured at the Fadjr International Theatre Festival
2008 From the Environs of Milad Award-winning play
2007 Sculpture (Screenplay)
2004 I'm Not Cold Anymore

Assistant directing

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Year Title Director Theatre Notes
2023 A Distinct Society Kareem Fahmy Writers Theatre
2022 Measure for Measure Henry Godinez Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
2022 Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley Marti Lyons Northlight Theatre
2021 Eurydice (Opera) Mary Zimmerman The Metropolitan Opera
2020 The Lady from the Sea Shana Cooper Court Theatre

Notable productions

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  • English (2024): Directed by Dehghani at the Guthrie Theater and Goodman Theatre. The play, written by Sanaz Toossi, focuses on language, identity, and the immigrant experience. Dehghani's direction was lauded for its humanity and clarity, with critics praising his ability to bring out the nuances of the immigrant struggle.[9][10]
  • Selling Kabul (2024): A tense and truthful story set in Afghanistan, this production received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional depth and topical relevance.[11]

Awards and honors

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  • Best Directing Award, From the Environs of Milad, Iran International Festival of University Theatre.[12]
  • Best Playwriting Award, From the Environs of Milad, Iran International Festival of University Theatre.[13]
  • Best Actor Award, Equus, Iran International Festival of University Theatre.[14]

Press and reception

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Dehghani's works have been covered by both Iranian and international media, receiving attention for their thematic depth and direction. Selected reviews include:

  • Chicago Tribune: Chris Jones (drama critic) observed, "I was frankly knocked out by the quality of the direction, which is exquisitely paced, subtle of idea, and formidably communicative," in his review of *English* at the Goodman Theatre.[15]
  • Chicago Reader: In their review of *English*, the *Chicago Reader* noted, “Dehghani made his professional directing debut in Chicago earlier this year with Northlight Theatre’s production of *Selling Kabul*. *English* further establishes his work as notable within the Chicago theater scene.”[16]
  • Chicago Sun-Times: According to the *Chicago Sun-Times*, “Dehghani, his design team, and this cast make every moment of the production active, sharp, clear, and relatable.”[17]
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References

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  1. ^ "Hamid Dehghani MFA Directing Student at Northwestern University". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  2. ^ "Guthrie Theater to Present Sanaz Toossi's Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play ENGLISH". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  3. ^ "English Gives Voice to the Stories of Iranian Immigrants". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  4. ^ "World Premiere of John Patrick Shanley's BROOKLYN LAUNDRY Set for Northlight Theatre". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  5. ^ "See It Before It Closes Review by Anne Spiselman". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  6. ^ "Amphibian Stage Presents BABA Beginning This Month". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  7. ^ "Iran Theatre Review: From the Environs of Milad". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  8. ^ "Interview with Hamid Dehghani about Sohrab's Transgression". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  9. ^ "Review: English at Guthrie Theater Highlights the Anguish of Learning a New Language". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  10. ^ "Lost and Found in Translation: English at the Goodman Theatre". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  11. ^ "Review: Selling Kabul at Northlight Theatre". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  12. ^ "Iran Theatre Review: From the Environs of Milad". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  13. ^ "Iran Theatre Review: From the Environs of Milad". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  14. ^ "Best Actor Award for Equus". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  15. ^ "Review: In the brilliant English at Goodman Theatre, a language class takes on global importance". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  16. ^ "Review of English at Goodman Theatre". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  17. ^ "Review of English at Goodman Theatre". Retrieved 2024-09-26.