Afshin Katanchi (he)
Actor, Director, Acting
Afshin Katanchi is a distinguished Iranian actor and director, renowned for his profound contributions to theater both in Iran and the United States. After earning his B.A. in acting and directing from the University of Art and Architecture in Tehran, he became an active member of the prestigious Theatre Forum of Tehran starting in 2005. His extensive acting career in Iran includes performances in over 30 plays, including notable works like “The Bittern’s Night,” “Woyzeck,” “Poor Bitos,” and Dr. Karimi Hakak’s rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Additionally, he demonstrated his directorial skills in productions such as “Zaloo”.
After moving to Los Angeles nine years ago, Afshin’s influence in the theater scene continued to grow. He has appeared in several significant stage productions, such as “Switch,” “Aroosi,” “Sogoli,” “Sefr-21,” “The Open Couple,” “The Apartment,” “Alice in Persialand,” “Death and the Maiden,” and “Seven Labours of Liberty.” In the U.S., he also co-directed the acclaimed “Seven Labours of Liberty” alongside Nakta Pahlavan and the television movie “Woman, Life, Freedom: The Play.”
In addition to his stage work, Afshin has built a substantial television career. In Iran, his TV appearances include roles in series like “Hooshe Siah,” “Ghahve-ye Talkh,” “Morkhasi,” “God Created Love,” Ayda Panahandeh’s “Winter Vases,” and Iraj Karimi’s “Faryadha Va Najvaha.” His film credits in the U.S. feature performances in “Over My Dead Body,” “Silver Carnation,”Wake Up Sleeping Beauty,“ ”Azizam," “Zhina Till Now,” “The King of Heart,” and “Prisoner Of Love.”
Beyond his artistic achievements, Afshin is dedicated to amplifying the often-unheard voices of the Iranian community, utilizing his platform to advocate for greater understanding and awareness through his performances. His commitment to merging art with advocacy underscores his belief in the transformative power of theater to enact societal change, establishing him as a respected and influential figure in the arts.
