2022-23 Graduate students

Arash Isapour is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Victoria specializing in theatre history, masculinities, and cultural studies. His research examines the representation of Middle Eastern masculinities on the Canadian stage, utilizing extensive library and fieldwork, including interviews and archival research. His dissertation, "Representation of Middle Eastern Masculinities on the Canadian Stage," explores how art reflects and shapes societal identities through theatre studies, social science, gender studies, and cultural dynamics.

Arash earned his M.A. in Dramatic Literature from Soore University, where he examined the dramaturgy of Caryl Churchill's plays—Top Girls, Mad Forest, and Love and Information—under Prof. Naghmeh Samini. His focus on political theatre's relevance to Iranian audiences garnered recognition. He earned second prize for best academic research at the 6th Soore University Festival of Theatre and nominations at the 17th Iran International Festival of University Theatre.

Beginning his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Mathematics, Arash's analytical skills enrich his qualitative research in the arts and humanities. He is particularly interested in unconventional theatre and dramatic styles, such as those of feminist playwrights, immigrant practitioners, and Brechtian theatre. Arash views theatre as a social space that challenges dominant narratives and hegemonies. His immigrant experience in Canada has further shaped his focus on stereotypes and identities associated with Middle Eastern masculinities. He explores how theatre can challenge stereotypes, understanding these perceptions as products of complex social and economic dynamics. Through his teaching and research, Arash is committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment and advancing interdisciplinary scholarship that bridges theatre, cultural studies, and social science to engage with societal structures and identities critically.

Supervisor: Dr. Allana Lindgren