Jalal Tehrani

Jalal Tehrani (born 3 August 1968) is an Iranian playwright, theatre director, and educator. He is known for experimental works that emphasize theatrical form and structure. According to the International Journal of Middle East Studies, he has contributed to the development of Iran’s independent theatre through his institute Maktab Tehran.

Early life and education Tehrani was born in Tehran in August 1968. Before pursuing theatre, he studied electronics and worked in product design. He later earned a master’s degree in Dramatic Literature.

Career

Early writing and directing Tehrani began as a theatre critic in the late 1990s before publishing his first play, The Boatman, in 1998. His directorial debut was Nefertiti (2002), staged at the City Theater of Tehran. He subsequently directed The Tank (2002) and Single Cells (2003). The Tank was later revived at Maktab Tehran, an event covered by the *Financial Tribune*.

Maktab Tehran In 2010, Tehrani founded Maktab Tehran, an institute that includes a theatre hall, rehearsal studios, a publishing unit, and training programs. In 2014, Tehrani’s adaptation of Cinderella was staged in Tehran, reported by *The Iran Project*. The play has also been subject to academic analysis in Iran.

Style and philosophy Tehrani’s works are characterized by an emphasis on form and structure rather than explicit themes.

International reception Single Cells was staged at the Silk Road Festival in Ruhr and later presented at Iran Cultural Week in Berlin. The play was later published in French under the title Les unicellulaires.

Selected works The Boatman (1998) – his first published play Nefertiti (2002) – directorial debut at Tehran’s City Theater The Tank (2002; revived 2018 at Maktab Tehran) Single Cells (2003) – staged internationally; later published in French as Les unicellulaires Cinderella (2014) – adaptation staged in Tehran