Dina Zarif Ensemble

12/14/2024

در سال ۲۰۱۶، من فرصت فوق‌العاده‌ای پیدا کردم تا با نویسنده و کارگردان هنرمند, ترنج، در یک خوانش از نمایشنامه لیلی و مجنون در کال پرفرمنس همکاری کنم.

این خوانش بخشی از پروژه‌ای بزرگتر بود که در اون کل پرفرمنس با همکاری مارک موریس، طراح رقص، و خوانندگان گروه سیلک رود و عالیم قاسم‌اف به اجرای لیلا و مجنون پرداختند.

در قالب برنامه‌های آموزشی مرتبط با این پروژه، از تورنج خواسته شد تا یک خوانش صحنه‌ای ۳۰ دقیقه‌ای بسازد و ارائه دهد. در تحقیقات خود، او دو ترجمه انگلیسی از این داستان را بررسی کرد و تصمیم گرفت تا خود نسخه‌ای جدید از آن بنویسد.

از ان پروژه تا الان، تورنج همیشه به توانایی‌های من ایمان داشته و من را تشویق کرده است که به عنوان یک بازیگر رشد کنم—از اجرای اثر زبان تمشک‌های وحشی (نوشته نغمه ثمینی تولید گلدن ترد ۲۰۲۲) به زبان انگلیسی,
تا آواز خواندن، سایه‌ بازی و بازیگری همزمان در تولید پروژه ی اخیر لیلی و مجنون.

زندگی در شخصیت "نقال"در این پروژه، همراه با این گروه فوق‌العاده از بازیگران و موزیسین ها، تجربه‌ای پر از یادگیری، زیبا و به یاد ماندنی بود.

کاش ویدا (قهرمانی)جون بود و میدید....
همیشه دوست داشت در کار های تو بازی کنم.

ممنونم، ترنج!

World Premiere
LEILI & MAJNUN
A complete sold out run! December 5th-15th, 2024
One more show added on Sunday night!

A dynamic staging of Leili & Majnun, celebrated Persian poet Nizami’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, written and directed by Torange Yeghiazarian and featuring an ensemble of Middle Eastern-American actors, singers and musicians. Performance is in English with Persian poetry.

Music composed by: Sirvan Manhoobi
Scenic design by: Mokhtar P***e
Light design by: Alejandro Acosta
Costume design by: Maggie Whitaker

Featuring: Yasaman Asgari, Brandon Di Paola, Behzad Golemohammadi, Roeen Nooran, Ameen Safi, Adrienne Shamszad-Manoukian, Dina Zarif
Musicians: Josh Mellinger, Sara Saberi



jazo




Photos by part by Azadeh Eskandari

12/13/2024

World Premiere
LEILI & MAJNUN
A complete sold out run! December 5th-15th, 2024
One more show added on Sunday night!

In 2016, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with visionary writer and director, and veteran Bay Area theater artist, Torange Yeghiazarian, in a Cal Performances reading of Leili & Majnun.

The reading was part of a larger project where Cal Performances co-commissioned choreographer Mark Morris Dance Group and Silkroad Ensemble vocalists Alim Qasimov Alim Qasımov and Fargana Qasimova to stage Layla and Majnun.

As part of the educational programming surrounding the project, Torange was invited to create and present a 30-minute staged reading. In her research, she reviewed two English translations of the story, found them lacking, and decided to craft her own version.

Since then, Torange has consistently believed in my abilities and encouraged me to stretch as an actor—from performing in English in Language of Wild Berries (written by Naghme Samini Naghmeh Samini, Golden Thread Productions) to singing, operating shadow lighting, and acting all in one in this production of Leili & Majnun.

Exploring the character of Naqqal in Torange’s writing, alongside this incredible cast and talented musicians, has been a deeply rewarding experience.

Thank you, Torange!

Thanks Andrew Gilbert for the write up about the project's origin!
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A dynamic staging of Leili & Majnun, celebrated Persian poet Nizami’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, written and directed by Torange Yeghiazarian and featuring an ensemble of Middle Eastern-American actors, singers and musicians. Performance is in English with Persian poetry.

Music composed by: Sirvan Manhoobi
Scenic design by: Mokhtar P***e
Light design by: Alejandro Acosta
Costume design by: Maggie Whitaker

Featuring: Yasaman Asgari, Brandon Di Paola, Behzad Golemohammadi, Roeen Nooran, Ameen Safi, Adrienne Shamszad-Manoukian, Dina Zarif
Musicians: Josh Mellinger, Sara Saberi

Photos by .arts.connection


jazo

09/29/2024

I get to be "Marjan" one more time!
Happy closing!

داش اكل به گفته ي مرجان
نويسنده و كارگردان: بهرام بيضايي

عكس: .arts.connection

09/21/2024

Tomorrow is the opening night of "Dash Akol According to Marjan" at the "Roda" in Berkeley Repertory Theatre!

When I first joined the acting workshop at Stanford Iranian Studies in 2015, I never imagined I would one day bring to life the rich, intricate characters created by Master Beyzayi.

I still treasure the experience of playing the "Dancer" in Tarabnameh and the "Nurse" in Crossroads, both of which were written by Master Beyzayi.

Now, I’m humbled and overjoyed to embody Sadegh Hedayat’s "Marjan" in this adaptation by Mr. Beyzayi.

Words can't capture the mix of excitement and nervousness I feel.

It’s truly an honor to play "Marjan" and to share the stage with the lead actress Mojdeh Shamsaie, who portrays my mother, Mahbanoo, in this production.

Written and directed by Bahram Beyzaie, based on the short story by Sadegh Hedayat, will premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Roda Theatre.

5 performances: September 21-29

Thanks to Mojdeh Shamsaie for her tremendous work, Mr Hashemi for his effort and dedication, and the Stanford Iranian Studies Program and Mr Abbas Milani for their support.

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*Dash Akol enters a house where the man of the house, on his deathbed, appoints him as its protector. But is the house truly under his protection, or is he, in some way, under the protection of this house?

*‘Dash Akol, According to Marjan’* is a journey into the short story by Sadegh Hedayat titled *‘Dash Akol’* (first published in 1932/1311), an exploration of what he left unsaid. This time, the story unfolds through the perspective of the young girl of the house, Marjan—through what she has seen or heard, both near and far. Her perspective reflects, like a mirror, the story of Marjan herself, the story of the house where she was born, and the story of the central figure in both, her mother, Mahbanoo. Only belatedly does Dash Akol realize that all three share the same main enemy.

Photo by Nima Dehghani
Poster design by Matin Nasiriha

Stanford Iranian Studies Program
Abbas Milani afshin

09/03/2024

My feelings can't be expressed in words…
A mix of excitement and anxiety at the same time.
I am humbled to play "Marjan" in this production.

The play "Dash Akol, According to Marjan," part 1,

Writtwn and directed by Bahram Beyzaie, based on the short story by Sadegh Hedayat, will premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Roda Theatre in less than three weeks.

5 performances: September 21-29

Thanks to Mojdeh Shamsaie for her tremendous work, Mr Hashemi Af Ha for his effort and dedication, and the Stanford Iranian Studies Program and Mr Abbas Milani for their support.

-------

*Dash Akol enters a house where the man of the house, on his deathbed, appoints him as its protector. But is the house truly under his protection, or is he, in some way, under the protection of this house?

*‘Dash Akol, According to Marjan’* is a journey into the short story by Sadegh Hedayat titled *‘Dash Akol’* (first published in 1932/1311), an exploration of what he left unsaid. This time, the story unfolds through the perspective of the young girl of the house, Marjan—through what she has seen or heard, both near and far. Her perspective reflects, like a mirror, the story of Marjan herself, the story of the house where she was born, and the story of the central figure in both, her mother, Mahbanoo. Only belatedly does Dash Akol realize that all three share the same main enemy.

The Hamid and Christina Moghadam Program in Iranian Studies is proud to present Professor Bahram Beyzaie’s new play Dash Akol According to Marjan (Part 1).Performance dates:Saturday, September 21: 7:00-10:00 PMSunday, September 22: 7:00-10:00 PMFriday, September 27: 7:00-10:00 PMSaturday, Septembe...

06/09/2023

My first set design project!

Thank you  and the  for the amazing review!!❤️

San Francisco Chronicle called "Summer Theater's First Must-See Show"!

San Francisco Chronicle called "Part of that feeling comes from Dina Zarif’s visionary set design, which sinks the living room of Martha (Lisa Ramirez) and George (Adrian Roberts) inside a white square walkway."

What an honor to work with brilliant and visionary director, Michael Socrates Moran!

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" has been extended until 6/25!!

Oakland Theater Project’s production, which I saw Friday, June 2, isn’t just equal to the 1962 script, which is a bolt of lightning in the American theater canon. To witness Michael Socrates Moran’s staging in the garage of Oakland’s Flax Art & Design store, car alarms and radios often blaring outside, is to attend the birth of something unknowable and frightening, yet too familiar and too true.

Part of that feeling comes from Dina Zarif’s visionary set design, which sinks the living room of Martha (Lisa Ramirez) and George (Adrian Roberts) inside a white square walkway. Studded with lipstick-smudged old fashioned glasses that look like votive candles, and lined on the floor and rear wall with mirrors, the room resembles a reflecting pool for religious rites. But the square also conjures a bullring inside which George, Martha and younger guests Honey (Wera von Wulfen) and Nick (William Hodgson) stomp, buck, rear and charge.

06/09/2023

My first set design project!

Thank you  and the  for the amazing review!!❤️

San Francisco Chronicle called "Summer Theater's First Must-See Show"!

San Francisco Chronicle called "Part of that feeling comes from Dina Zarif’s visionary set design, which sinks the living room of Martha (Lisa Ramirez) and George (Adrian Roberts) inside a white square walkway."

What an honor to work with brilliant and visionary director, Michael Socrates Moran!

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" has been extended until 6/25!!

Oakland Theater Project’s production, which I saw Friday, June 2, isn’t just equal to the 1962 script, which is a bolt of lightning in the American theater canon. To witness Michael Socrates Moran’s staging in the garage of Oakland’s Flax Art & Design store, car alarms and radios often blaring outside, is to attend the birth of something unknowable and frightening, yet too familiar and too true.

Part of that feeling comes from Dina Zarif’s visionary set design, which sinks the living room of Martha (Lisa Ramirez) and George (Adrian Roberts) inside a white square walkway. Studded with lipstick-smudged old fashioned glasses that look like votive candles, and lined on the floor and rear wall with mirrors, the room resembles a reflecting pool for religious rites. But the square also conjures a bullring inside which George, Martha and younger guests Honey (Wera von Wulfen) and Nick (William Hodgson) stomp, buck, rear and charge.

03/20/2023

نوروز مبارک
Happy Nowruz

02/26/2023

Happy closing!

Today is the last performance of "EXODUS TO EDEN”!

It was an amazing journey working with Oakland Theatre Project and Michael Moran.

In a parallel recent past, Oakland, California is plagued by the escalating impacts of climate change. Miriam—young and pregnant—is searching for her estranged family. The community she finds is searching for a future.

Together, they begin a journey eastward, confronting environmental devastation, lost hopes, and terrifying dreamscapes that eventually collide with their waking life.

From a dispossessed family to a mysterious girl, to angels, The Man, and modern-day prophets, this contemporary epic, written and directed by Oakland Theater Project Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director Michael Socrates Moran, features an unforgettable cast of characters and a powerful ensemble of 17 performers. Inspired by The Grapes of Wrath, the Book of Exodus, Angels in America, and the company members of OTP, Exodus to Eden is a bold, surreal, moving, music-infused tale with over 25 songs, set in a time after history ends—and before history begins again.

Seeking hope in an era that feels often hopeless, the play asks: What do we worship in America today, and how has that shaped the world that awaits us? How do we heal from the past? And what are we willing to sacrifice to reclaim our future?

11/18/2022

1401





Repost from

11/15/2022

اعتصابات سراسری
Design by


#ایران

11/05/2022

“LANGUAGE OF WILD BERRIES”

Written by Naghmeh Samini
Translated & directed by Torange Yeghiazarian

Cast:
Zaya Kolia (Daniel)
Dina Zarif (Donya)
Damien Seperi (Davood)

By

Creative Team:
Production Dramaturg Heather Rastovac Akbarzadeh
Props Design Samantha Alexa
Asst. Stage Manager
Lighting Design Cassie Barnes
Scenic Design Kate Boyd
Production Manager Dan Holland
Costume Design
Stage Manager
Technical Director David Lam
Fight Choreographer Carla Pantoja
Sound Design Derek Schmidt
Music Mohammad Talani
Photo Credit David Allen Studio 

Thank you (Executive Artistic Director at GT)








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