Iranian Theater Visionary Amir Reza Koohestani Takes the Helm of 34th Ecole des Maîtres

Amir Reza Koohestani, a prominent Iranian theater director and playwright, has received an exciting invitation to spearhead the 34th Ecole des Maîtres (School of Masters). This esteemed program, known for its advanced theater training, will take place across various European cities from August 26 to October 3, showcasing the significance of theatrical education in contemporary performance art.

Koohestani’s workshop, titled “Daily Life as Performance: Crafting Narratives from Everyday Experiences,” encourages participants to delve into the performative aspects of their daily lives. This innovative approach transforms mundane occurrences into rich, dramatic narratives, highlighting the potential of personal experiences as a foundation for theatrical creativity.

During the workshop, participants will engage in the following key activities:

• Reflective Journaling: Artists will maintain journal entries documenting the details of a single day, written in the first person and simple past tense. This exercise aims to capture the essence of their experiences, which will serve as a narrative basis.
• Physical Object Connection: Participants are invited to bring a physical object that relates to their journal entry. This could range from everyday household items to significant artifacts, enriching their storytelling process.
• Exploration of Daily Life: The workshop emphasizes viewing daily routines, environments, and interactions as potential dramatic material, inviting participants to think creatively about their lived experiences.

The 34th edition of the School of Masters will kick off in Liège, Belgium, on August 26, followed by various stages in:

1. Lisbon, Portugal: August 31 to September 5
2. Coimbra, Portugal: September 6 to 11
3. Milan, Italy: September 12 to 16
4. Udine, Italy: September 17 to 26
5. Angers, France: September 27 to October 3

This year, the program will select 16 participants, with four representatives from each partner country of the Ecole des Maîtres, alongside participants from the 2025 guest country, Slovenia. The selection process aims to foster a diverse group in terms of gender, origin, and culture, enriching the collaborative learning experience.

The École des Maîtres, established by Franco Quadri in 1990, is designed to bridge the gap between emerging actors and established directors. Its primary objective is to facilitate interactions that enhance the skills of young professionals trained at drama academies across Europe. This program emphasizes an exchange of staging methods and artistic languages through itinerant ateliers, creating a dynamic and enriching environment for all involved.

Amir Reza Koohestani, 46, hailing from Shiraz in Fars Province, is recognized as one of the foremost Iranian theater artists of his generation. His journey in the arts began at the age of 16 when he started publishing short stories in local newspapers. His passion for cinema led him to pursue courses in directing and cinematography, eventually studying Cinema at the University of Tehran and later theater at the University of Manchester.

After creating two unfinished films and briefly working as a performer, Koohestani turned his focus to playwriting. His first notable works include “And the Day Never Came” (1999) and “The Murmuring Tales” (2000). In 2001, he founded the Mehr Theater Group in Tehran, and his third play, “Dance on Glasses”, garnered international acclaim, earning him support from various European theater directors and festivals.

Throughout his career, Koohestani has produced numerous influential plays, including:

• “Recent Experiences” (2003)
• “Amid the Clouds” (2005)
• “Dry Blood & Fresh Vegetables” (2007)
• “Quartet: A Journey North” (2008)
• “Where Were You on January 8th?” (2009)
• “Ivanov” (2011)
• “The Fourth Wall” (2012)

His film, “Modest Reception,” co-written with actor and director Mani Haghighi, won the Netpac Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2012. In 2013, Koohestani was commissioned to write and stage “Timeloss” by the Festival Actoral in Marseille, France. He continued his artistic exploration during a residency at the Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart, Germany, where he wrote the play “Hearing” from October 2014 to March 2015.

Since 2006, Koohestani has frequently collaborated with German theater, producing over 15 works. He made a notable appearance in September 2018 at the opening of La Comédie de Genève, creating a short play based on “Miss Julie” by August Strindberg. His recent projects include “Summerless,” which premiered in May 2018 in Brussels and was part of the Festival d’Avignon, and “Blind Runner,” which debuted in May 2023.

Koohestani’s latest collaboration with Mani Haghighi led to the release of the film “Subtraction” in July 2023, showcasing his continuous contribution to the world of theater and film.