Ali Azizian (he)
Actor, Singer, Composer, Musical Director, Producer
Ali Azizian, an Iranian American actor, musician, producer, and a pivotal figure in the Los Angeles entertainment industry, brings a rich tapestry of talents to the vibrant cultural landscape. As the main singer, actor, musical director, composer, and one of the producers of “TehrAngeles,” Ali showcases his versatile artistry in this significant production that explores the nuanced experiences of the Iranian diaspora.
Ali began his musical journey in 2001 as the leader of HASHT, a band that embarked on blending rock music with Persian poetry. The primary aim of founding HASHT was to experiment with rock music’s rebellious spirit, using Persian poetry as its lyrical backbone. The band earned first place among Iranian underground groups worldwide in the Tehran Avenue music festival in 2005, a testament to Ali’s radical and arguably the most fervent approach to rock music. His inherently angry tone and consistently rebellious lyrics have made him one of the most radical and passionate voices in the Iranian rock scene.
At 17, Ali’s musical exploration began with an old electric guitar, leading to formal education in civil engineering before diving fully into music influenced by pioneers of Iranian rock music. He formed the band “Kam” at 19, assuming roles as composer, singer, and guitarist. Disappointed by the conservatory’s low teaching quality, Ali left after three semesters, continuing his music journey independently. He later founded HASHT with Mehdi Khorasanzadeh and other musicians, winning acclaim with their piece “Mi Khanda” in Tehran Avenue’s online music contest. Despite financial challenges leading to the band’s dissolution, Ali persevered with HASHT, releasing the album “Bolandtar” (Taller) in 2010, further cementing his place in the music industry.
Ali’s relocation to Los Angeles marked the beginning of his theater journey in 2013, working with renowned Iranian directors and performing in over 100 shows across the US, including notable roles in “On the Edge of the Rooftop” and Parviz Sayyad’s “The Tenant.” His work in “Balcony” and “Apartment” directed by Shahin Jamei, toured the US for 12 months, showcasing his dramatic range.
From 2019 to 2023, Ali toured with Workshop 79 in “Shaaer E Noghrehee,” earning critical acclaim, including a memorable performance in Ariel Dorfman’s “Death and the Maiden” at the Odyssey Theatre. Additional credits include roles in “The Wedding” and “I Have a Wish,” alongside TV series “Isolated Believers” and the award-winning short “Azizam.”
Ali also creatively responded to the quarantine by writing, performing, and directing the hit IGTV mini-series “ALOODEH” (“Contaminated”), demonstrating his knack for engaging audiences across mediums.
His collaboration with Nakta Pahlevan in “Seven Labours of Liberty,” the largest independent Farsi musical theater show in California, highlights his commitment to bringing Iranian stories to global audiences. Performing and directing this ambitious project across major venues like the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Royce Hall at UCLA, and the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Ali Azizian continues to be a transformative force in the arts, celebrated for his contributions to music, theater, and the Iranian cultural narrative.
