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Upcoming Performance: Muzzled by Reza Shirmarz at the Theatre of the Absurd Festival
"Theater is a microcosm of a macrocosm called life." 
Theater is the art that reflects life itself. It is a living creature which utilizes elements like the body, movement, makeup, costumes, lighting, and language—drawn from real life—to symbolically explore both the virtues and vices of humanity in an artistic form. Throughout history, theater has evolved in countless ways, shaped by different periods and cultures, always adapting to resonate with its audience. No other art form connects with people on such a deep level and captures their needs and desires with such immediacy as theater does. It is a living entity that forms a profound bond with human beings and undergoes continuous transformation in an ever-evolving process...
From The Philosophy of Theater by Reza Shirmarz
Although Robert Wilson’s work is profoundly audiovisual, his role as a trailblazer in challenging and redefining traditions makes his creations difficult to measure or analyze through conventional aesthetic frameworks. Wilson’s theater distinctively blends the elements of traditional theater with performance art. To truly appreciate his bold innovations and daring designs, it helps to understand various aspects of global theater history, especially the theories of Richard Wagner. Wilson’s style uniquely draws from influences like John Cage’s experimentalism and Samuel Beckett’s minimalism and eventually, he manages to create a theater that is rooted in tradition but boldly forward-thinking...
From I Think through My Eyes: A Research on Robert Wilson's Visual Theater by Reza Shirmarz
A short extract
I’ve been having the same nightmare most nights, since they’ve banned my plays and threatened my producers, my crew, my friends, my family… I saw myself chained by each wrist, I’m pulled apart and my body is about to be torn into two pieces. I struggle to get rid of the chains. The more movements I make, the more I’m pulled apart. I can see the blood gushing from the cracks of my chest and belly. I struggle to shout wildly and furiously… but they’ve muzzled me. (After a short pause) Eventually, the chains change into strings and two monstrous puppeteers take control of my limbs. They move my head, my hands, and my feet. They have control over all my actions and thoughts. They even speak for me. They move my lips and say the things I never meant. Then, their voice changes into whistles. They whistle so loudly that I can’t take it anymore, I try to get rid of the strings, but the more movements I make, the more they take me under control. Click to read Muzzled for free on Index On Censorship... 
For the past twenty years, I've immersed myself in the world of theater and literature, wearing many hats—playwright, translator, researcher, and educator. My journey has been one of relentless creativity and scholarship. I have yielded over forty published books and seven more still waiting in the wings, along with several articles and essays. While playwriting and theater-making have been my passions, a shift in my focus began about a decade ago. I found myself increasingly captivated by the theoretical aspects of theater and drama, particularly in how they intersect with the complex realm of communication. This blend of creative and academic pursuits has fueled my dedication to exploring how stories told on stage resonate, connect, and communicate across audiences and cultures.
Click to read on my weblog: Drama, Theater, and Communication 
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