Payam Forutan
Payam Forutan is an Iranian stage designer and director who has worked in both Iran and the United States. He is known for his innovative and visually striking designs, which often use a combination of traditional and modern elements. Forutan has won numerous awards for his work, including two Golden Lion Awards for Best Set Design from the Fajr International Theater Festival.
Forutan was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1973. He began his studies in theater at the University of Tehran, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in stage design in 1995. He then went on to earn a master’s degree in theater from the University of Tehran in 2001.
Forutan’s professional career began in 1996, when he designed the set for the play “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov. He has since designed sets for over 100 productions, including plays, operas, and musicals. Forutan’s designs have been seen in theaters all over Iran, as well as in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Forutan’s work is characterized by its use of bold colors, geometric shapes, and abstract imagery. He often uses a combination of traditional and modern elements in his designs, creating a unique and visually striking aesthetic. Forutan’s designs have been praised for their creativity, innovation, and ability to evoke a strong emotional response from audiences.
In addition to his work as a stage designer, Forutan has also directed several plays. He has also written several books on stage design, including “The Art of Stage Design” and “Stage Design: A Visual Guide.”
Forutan is a highly respected figure in the world of theater design. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including two Golden Lion Awards from the Fajr International Theater Festival. Forutan is a leading figure in the development of modern stage design in Iran and the United States.
Awards
- Golden Lion Award for Best Set Design from the Fajr International Theater Festival (2001, 2005)
- Shiraz International Theater Festival Award for Best Set Design (2006)
- Tehran International Theater Festival Award for Best Set Design (2007, 2010)
- Isfahan International Theater Festival Award for Best Set Design (2012)
- Iran Theater Critics’ Association Award for Best Set Design (2013, 2015)
Selected Works
- “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov (1996)
- “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare (2000)
- “The Marriage of Figaro” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (2002)
- “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber (2004)
- “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller (2006)
- “The Persians” by Aeschylus (2008)
- “The Seagull” by Anton Chekhov (2010)
- “The Caucasian Chalk Circle” by Bertolt Brecht (2012)