In Conversation with Artistic Director Marti Lyons and Director Azar Kazemi

AZAR KAZEMI (she/her) is first-generation Persian American and thrilled to be directing the Chicago premiere of Wish You Were Here by Sanaz Toossi. Azar is a freelance director and educator based in Chicago who directs socially-charged plays where the political and personal collide. She is an Equity Jeff-nominated director for her work on Rivendell Theatre Ensemble’s critically-acclaimed world premiere of Motherhouse by Tuckie White. Last season, she directed a sold-out run of Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind at Raven Theatre and Steep Theatre’s world premiere of Happy Days Are Here (Again) by Omer Abbas Salem at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, which was named one of the top ten shows of 2024 by the Chicago Tribune. Azar received her MFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University, where she is also on faculty and received the 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award. Before moving to Chicago she assistant directed three Off-Broadway productions with The New Group, two under the direction of her mentor Ethan Hawke. She is a proud member of Stage Directors and Choreography Society. W: AzarKazemi.com