Society Responsible for Theater Producttion & Development

Armaghan Behdarvand was elected managing director of Iran Dramatic Arts Society less than a year ago. He is amongst the directors who has not taken the office for a long time but has managed to carry out an about-face.

He said that the society prioritized a reform and implementation of a new procedure for the provincial dramatic arts societies.

Heads of these societies had been appointed in the past but they are being chosen in each province in a bid to empower local artists and Iran theater, Mr Behdarvand explained, adding that polls to elect members of the boards of societies were conducted in 21 provinces. “Any proposal by provincial dramatic arts society is taken seriously now. You can see the development in the conference of provinces’ theater.”

He said that another step to make Iran theater professional was registration of theater groups across the country after their documents were evaluated.

Wherever the theater body has been robust, the local theater communities have managed to register their theater groups and elect the board of directors of their society faster, he stressed.

On how the society would support theater troupes, Mr Behdarvand said that the backings were aimed at theater production and “we want the lights of theater venues of the country to be on and people as main audience of theater to enjoy it”.

Asked about the significant growth in the country’s theater in recent years, he said that lack of specialized theater books was one of the main problems facing Iran theater, adding that the society allocated a package of over 1,000 books to provinces to provide them foods for thoughts.