Welcome to my world
My projects usually begin with simple questions. I’m less interested in finding answers than in allowing these questions to generate new ones—sharper, deeper, and more precise. I explore these questions through different practices: creating theatre pieces, performing, working with film, and offering artistic consultations. When I need a fresh intellectual space, I turn to teaching to learn from my students—and to research.
If you’d like to see how these questions unfold, you’re welcome to explore my projects.
Bio
Ashkan Kheilnejad (b. 1989) began his artistic career in 2008 at the University of Tehran, collaborating with theatre groups such as Nowadays Theatre Company as an actor and assistant director. In 2011, he co-founded Tazeh Theatre Group, a collective that continues to explore new forms of performance and challenge conventional practices.
His early directorial works, such as Whose Life Is It Anyway? (2011) and Whispers Behind the Battle Line (2012), were noted for their fresh approach to contemporary storytelling and received recognition from IIUTF and the ITF Directors’ Association.
Continuing his studies, Kheilnejad pursued directing at Tarbiat Modarres University in 2013, focusing on experimental theatre. His third piece, Act III, Scene iv (2015), presented at the APB Theatre Schools Festival (UNESCO, Singapore), marked an important step in presenting his work internationally. He also contributed to scholarly discussions on theatre by presenting the research article Private Theatre at the 2017 International Seminar on Non-Governmental Theatre Capacities.
In 2017–2018, he directed a production of The History Boys and created the short film Dress Rehearsal (Talghin), which were honored by FITF and the Iran Film Critics and Writers Association, respectively.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kheilnejad launched Tazeh Theatre Atelier and Senior Theatre Camp to support young artists, fostering a creative community. In response to the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, he co-organized the Tazeh Theatre Festival, dedicated to underground and independent works, offering emerging performers a platform to collaborate and perform freely.
Educations
M.A. in Directing
Department of Directing & Acting, Faculty of Arts & Architecture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran.
B.A. in Acting
School of Performing Arts & Music, Faculty of Dramatic Arts & Music, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Awards
Abdulhossin Noushin Medal for Best Theatre Group of the Year 2019 Awarded to Tazeh Theatre Group, Iranian Theatre Forum Critics, Writers & Researchers Association, Tehran, Iran.
Best Fiction Short Film for ‘Dress Rehearsal’ (Talghin), Iran Film Critics & Writers Association Award, Mazandaran, Iran.
Special Jury Prize for ‘Dress Rehearsal’ (Talghin), 9th Varesh International Film Festival, Mazandaran, Iran.
Best Costume Design and Best Interaction between Director and Set and Costume Designers for ‘The History Boys’, 2nd Tehran International Symposium, Tehran, Iran.
Grand Prize for ‘Dress Rehearsal’ (Talghin), 62nd Youth Cinema Regional Festival, Kermanshah, Iran.
Best Performance of the Year for ‘The History Boys’, the Critics, Writers and Researchers Association of the Iranian Theatre Forum (ITF), Tehran, Iran.
Three Awards for Best Director, Best Stage Design, and Best Play for ‘The History Boys’, Fadjr International Theatre Festival (FITF), Tehran, Iran.
Best Director of the Year for ‘Whispers Behind the Battle Line’, Iranian Theatre Forum (ITF) Directors’ Association, Tehran, Iran.
Best Director for ‘Whose Life Is It Anyway?’, Iran International University Theatre Festival (IIUTF), Tehran, Iran.
Articles
Published Article: “A Survey on Relations of the State and Theatre in Post-Privatization Period Considering Theatre Productions of Non-State Institutions in Iran (11th Government)”, in the Proceedings of the International Seminar on the Potential of the Independent Sector in Theatre, Tehran, Iran.
This article examines the relationship between government and non-governmental theatre institutions in Iran, focusing on the effects of privatization on theatre productions.
Published Article: “Comparative Study of Identical and Non-Identical Elements in Theatre and Tele-Theatre Through a Semiotic Approach”, Peresented at the International Conference of Theatre Studies, 17th Iran International University Theatre Festival (IIUTF), Tehran, Iran.
This research explores the similarities and differences between theatre and tele-theatre, analyzing them through semiotic theory.
Presentations
The Speaker at the session: ‘The Challenges of Directing in Contemporary Iranian Theatre’, Iranshahr Theatre, Tehran, Iran.
The Speaker at the session: ‘Third Encounter: Directors in Rehearsal’, Rooberoo Mansion, Tehran, Iran.
The Speaker at the session: ‘Iran Playwritings: Connections/ Disconnections’, 37th Fadjr International Theatre Festival (FITF), Tehran, Iran.
Journal Contributions
Editor of ‘Specialized Playwriting Journal’ (Namayesh Nameh), Vol. 9 and 10, Iranian Theatre Forum (ITF) Playwrights Association, Tehran, Iran.
Author: “Ganjeh,” in ‘Tajir Journal’, Vol. 1 and 2, ASSITEJ Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Author: “Behind the Windows,” in ‘Specialized Playwriting Journal’ (Namayesh Nameh), Vol. 1–10, Iranian Theatre Forum (ITF) Playwrights Association, Tehran, Iran.
Editor of ‘Theatre Quarterly’ (Namayesh), Vol. 44, Iran Dramatic Arts Association, Tehran, Iran.
Film Releases
Release of ‘The History Boys’ (Theatrical Film) on Tiwall Platform, Tehran, Iran.
DVD release of ‘Whose Life Is It Anyway?’ (Theatrical Film), Published by Beethoven Center, Tehran, Iran.
DVD release of ‘Whispers Behind the Battle Line’ (Theatrical Film), Published by Beethoven Center, Tehran, Iran.
Jury Experience
Navid Independent Theatre Festival (1st & 2nd Editions), Jury Member, Stage Theatre Competition, Tehran, Iran.
Shahrzad Private Theatre Festival (2nd Edition), Member of the Selection Committee, Stage Theatre Competition, Tehran, Iran.
Hormozgan Theatre Festival (33rd Edition), Jury Member, Fadjr International Theatre Festival Regional Selection, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Khoramshahr Liberation Theatre Festival (22nd Edition), Jury Member, Short Stage Theatre Competition, Hormozgan, Iran.
Dah Short Film Festival (4th Edition), Member of the Selection Committee, Screenplay Cometition for Production Funding, Tehran, Iran.
Alborz Theatre Festival (9th Edition), Jury Member, Fadjr International Theatre Festival Regional Selection, Karaj, Iran.
Simorgh Theatre Festival (10th Edition), Jury Member, Stage Reading Competition, Tehran, Iran.
Akabar Radi Festival (1st Edition), Member of the Selection Committee, Monologue Competition, Tehran, Iran.
Iran International University Theatre Festival (IIUTF) (21st Edition), Jury Member, Stage Theatre Competition, Tehran, Iran.
Tajrobeh Theatre Festival (16th Edition), Member of the Selection Committee and Jury Member, Stage Theatre Competition, Tehran, Iran.
Shamseh Theatre Festival (2nd Edition), Member of the Selection Committee, Stage Theatre Competition, Tehran, Iran.
Memberships
Iranian Theatre Forum (ITF) Optimization Committee, Member during organizational restructuring by the new team, Tehran, Iran.
Assisted in key changes as part of the new board team with Alireza Naderi, Asghar Dashti, and Hamid Pourazari.
Iran University Theatre Circle, Member during my university years, Tehran, Iran.
Played a key role in organizing Molavi Theatre performances and events, supporting university theatre productions, and contributing to an engaging and collaborative theatre environment.
Theatre Society Tehran University, Member during my Bachelor’s, Tehran, Iran.
Led and participated in various theatre projects at Tehran University, including organizing workshops and events, and collaborating with professors to develop productions.
Tehran University’s Center for Experimental Theatre (Tajrobeh Theatre Center), Member during my early university years, Tehran, Iran.
Developed skills in organizing the Tajrobeh Theatre Festival, collaborating with other theatre faculties in Iran, and coordinating students to utilize group facilities.
Executive Works
Executive Committee Member of ‘Fadjr Plus’ Section, 34th Fadjr International Theatre Festival (FITF), Tehran, Iran.
Director of the Closing Ceremony, 17th Iran International University Theatre Festival (IIUTF), Tehran, Iran.
Executive Director of 7th Selection of the Iranian Dramatic Literature Awards, Iranian Theatre Forum (ITF) Playwrights Association, Tehran, Iran.
Director of the Welcoming Ceremony for New Students, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
Designer and Executive Director of the Elites Commemoration Ceremony for Dr. Shimi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
Director of the Closing Ceremony of the ‘Shanbehaye Molavi’ Stage Readings, Molavi Theatre, Tehran, Iran.
Director of the Commemoration Ceremony for Hamid Samandarian, Molavi Theatre, Tehran, Iran.
Executive Director of the First ‘Amordad’ Repertory, Molavi Theatre, Tehran, Iran.