Tazeh Theatre Atelier

At Tazeh Theatre Atelier, we see theatre as a laboratory for creative exploration, a space where each participant can construct their own aesthetic—an aesthetic born of the future.

Working independently in Iran, with its unique challenges, has shown us that the process—shared curiosity, dialogue, and collaboration—often matters more than the final performance. Our approach moves away from the traditional idea of a wise master imparting knowledge, promoting cooperative learning free from master–pupil dynamics. This guides our mission: to nurture a democratic theatre community that challenges traditional rehearsal practices and enables participants to bring their discoveries into contemporary performances for audiences.

The program runs in two levels for participants over 18 with prior theatre experience, bridging academic training and professional practice in Iran.

At the beginner level, aspiring actors and directors discover that the body is the central instrument for forming connections—with themselves and with the audience. Within small, randomly formed groups, they explore the fundamental elements of performance—space, time, and objects—and create short pieces using diverse materials, bringing their ideas to life. Each session concludes with reflective review and discussion, offering every group the chance to refine their work, deepen their understanding, and prepare for advanced-level projects.

At the advanced level, participants build on foundational skills through collaborative, project-based work. Directors design projects and invite actors from the beginner level, while actors train in solfeggio and movement and directors focus on dramaturgy and staging in unconventional spaces. Each week, project segments are presented and discussed, refining both artistic vision and technical execution. By the end of the course, selected projects are showcased at Tazeh Festival, giving participants a professional platform to share their work.

• Interviews with real individuals
• Personal documentary monologues
• Speeches by political figures
• Abstracts or summaries of scientific lectures
• Poetry
• Excerpts from short stories or novels
• Paintings
• News photographs
• Scenes from films or videos
• Musical pieces or audio recordings

In addition to Tehran, Tazeh Theatre Atelier has collaborated with various institutions across Iran to conduct workshops, including the following:

• Isfahan – Afagh Institute – November 2020, October 2021, and June 2024
• Yazd – Tak Dramatic Arts Institute – May 2024
• Bushehr – Dayyer Association of Dramatics Arts – July 2022
• Kerman – One Thousand & One Nights Institute and Vaziri Museum – December 2021
• Shiraz – Honar Shahre Aftab Cineplex & Cultural Center – July 2020 and June 2021
• Kashan – Mehr Cultural Center – August 2020

To date, over 3,000 theatre enthusiasts across Iran have participated in Tazeh Theatre Atelier. Many have gone on to take part in university-level theatre festivals, form professional groups, develop independent theatre and film projects, and pursue advanced studies at universities around the world.