Behnam Alibakhshi
Theater Director, Actor and Instructor
Phone:
+1 (347) 629-0470
+98 (912) 281-6808
Email:
Address:
Amherst, MA 010013
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About Behnam
Behnam Alibakhshi, an Iranian artist, perceives art as a boundless space for gathering and exalting the splendor found in moments of love, togetherness, and shared belonging. With a rich academic background spanning continents, he earned his first master's in directing in Iran before embarking on a journey to further hone his craft with an MFA in theater directing at UMASS Amherst in the United States.
While his roots lie deeply in theater as an actor, director, and playwright, Behnam's artistic endeavors extend far beyond the stage. Engaging in diverse forms such as photography, documentary filmmaking, and producing, he views each medium as a vessel for evoking passion, pleasure, joy, beauty, and truth. His philosophy, inspired by luminaries like Abbas Kiarostami, encompasses the belief that an artist, regardless of the chosen medium, must fervently strive to unveil new perspectives, thereby birthing moments of pleasure and beauty.
Beyond his creative pursuits, Behnam's commitment to education is unwavering. With fifteen years of experience teaching both in Iran and at UMASS, he ardently believes that continual learning and teaching serve to sharpen an artist's tools. He champions structured study, whether within academia or through personal exploration, as a pathway to transcend the limitations of one's artistic vision.
Behnam's theatrical journey has traversed a diverse array of themes and styles, from comedy to tragedy, traditional Iranian plays to European and American works. Embracing the spirit of experimentation and avant-garde, akin to pioneers like Peter Brook, he navigates seamlessly between commercial and experimental theater, driven solely by his passion for storytelling.
Influenced by a pantheon of visionary directors spanning theater and cinema, Behnam finds inspiration in the works of luminaries such as Bahram Beyzai, Erwin Piscator, Bertolt Brecht, Abbas Kiarostami, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and Quentin Tarantino. Their creative legacies serve as guiding lights, shaping Behnam's artistic ethos and fueling his relentless pursuit of truth and beauty through the prism of art.
Work Experience
Acting
Directing
Instructing
Behnam Alibakhshi began his acting journey in 2004 when he started studying for a bachelor’s degree in acting at the university. Over the course of more than 20 years, he has gained extensive experience in various genres, including comedy, tragedy, and drama. Behnam has had the opportunity to work with different directors and has also acted in his own productions. In addition to his stage work, he has accumulated experience in film and television, appearing in movies and telefilm series as an actor.
With over 20 years of experience in IranBehnam has explored various genres and styles of theater-making, from realism to stylized and devised theater, encompassing comedy, tragedy, and drama. He constantly seeks to discover new areas in his work as a director.
Behnam has extensive experience in Eastern and particularly Iranian traditional styles of theater-making. He has skillfully combined techniques from traditional theater, such as Ta’zieh, with modern approaches. After many years of directing in theater, he pursued his directing expertise by directing two documentary films and is always seeking opportunities to direct TV series and drama movies. Pursuing an MFA in directing at UMass Amherst has allowed him to expand his knowledge and experience, incorporating Anne Bogart’s methods and American directing perspectives into his repertoire. This blend of traditional and contemporary techniques has enriched his directorial vision, enabling him to create innovative and impactful theatrical productions
After gaining 10 years of experience in directing and acting, and holding a master’s degree from the University of Art of Tehran, Iran’s most acclaimed art university, Behnam Alibakhshi began teaching at various universities. His expertise and dedication led him to become the head of the department, where he was awarded the title of Most Outstanding Teacher of the Year in Qazvin Province. After moving to the United States, Behnam has been teaching acting for three years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, continuing to inspire and educate the next generation of theater professionals.
