Ziad Adwan

Ziad Adwan is a Syrian theatre director, actor, author and academic. His work as director focuses on street theatre and projects with refugees. He has also published articles on the Syrian and Middle Eastern theatre scene. Adwan works in the fields of theatre practice, teaching and research and lives in Germany. His father was the Syrian poet and playwright Mamdouh Adwan.

Life and career Mamdouh Adwan (1941–2004), Ziad's father, was a prominent Syrian journalist, poet and playwright. His extensive body of work includes several socially critical plays, some of which fell victim to censorship because they contained historical parallels with current events.

Ziad Adwan completed a master's degree in Text and Performance Studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and King's College London. He then went on to earn a PhD in Theatre Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London. His dissertation focused on errors and misperceptions in cultural performances and their significance for theatre and performance.

Artistic activity Adwan has worked as director, actor and author for theatre and performance projects. In Damascus, he was the artistic director of the "Invisible Stories" project, a series of street theatre performances in various districts of the Syrian capital. Adwan's play titled Please, Repeat After Me was performed at the HochX Theater und Live Art in Munich in 2018 and at the Englisches Theater in Berlin the following year.

After the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, Adwan left Damascus in 2013. He initially worked in Abu Dhabi as an acting coach and dramaturge and taught in workshops in several European countries, the Middle East and the United States, including with refugee artists. He was also involved in founding the Tanween Company for Theatre and Dance in Damascus in 2009.

Publications Adwan has published academic articles on the Syrian and Middle Eastern theatre scene and on cultural institutions such as the Damascus Opera House and the local Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts.