Iran, 26

Identified by Theatre Royal, Stratford East

Arvand is an actor, director and theatre designer. As an actor, his work includes Butterfly and Yoke (Théâtre du Nord Ouest, 2007), Crow and Bicycle (Contemporary Art Museum, 2004) and Leili and Majnoun (Iranian Artist’s Forum, 2001). Arvand designs all of his own productions and has also worked freelance for other directors at the City theatre of Tehran (I was in my room Waiting for the Rain to Come, 2007) and for the Iranian Artists Forum (The Bear, 2007). Arvand’s directing work is extensive, his recent productions include 7 Comments for Getting Contemporary (Fadjr International Theatre Festival, 2008), Butterfly and Yoke (Théâtre du Nord Ouest, 2007) and On the Wings of Night’s Crow (Performance Workshop/City Theatre, 2005). Arvand’s productions for the City Theatre of Tehran include Walking on the Clouds with Closed Eyes, Butterfly and Yoke, The Dream Attached to a Horse which Doesn’t Collapse and Jackal’s Wedding. This year, Arvand took part in the New Territories Festival in Glasgow. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Virgule Performing Arts Company. Virgule’s newest work, Find the Way, will open at the IFEA.