CV

Education

2024- Present: Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences: M.A. International Media Cultural Work, Germany

Selected courses: Agentic creative coding, Performing biography
Internship: Apr 2023 – Mar 2024 — Content Marketer (Internship, Remote), Negative Five Ventures, Den Haag, Netherlands

2016- 2020: Islamic Azad University, Central, Tehran Branch: M.A. Dramatic Literature, Iran

GPA: 2,34/ 4

Thesis:” The life routine concept in Chekhov’s Ivanov and Uncle Vanya based on Heidegger’s ontological viewing approach” (Adviser: Naser Babashahi)

Note: The second-best university in Iran, based on US News

2011-2016: Islamic Azad University, Central, Tehran Branch: B.A. Journalism, Iran

GPA:2,30/ 4

Note: The second-best university in Iran, based on US News

Research Interest

Interactive and Digital Performance 2. Urban and Site-Specific Performance
Philosophical and Dramaturgical Inquiry 4. Socio-Political and Cultural Engagement

Award and Prize

2017: The selected playwright in the 10th Student Theater of Soore University, (Duet Play)

Experiences

Relevant Experience

Aug 2018 — Dramaturg, The Oleanna. Roo B Roo Mension, Tehran, Iran

Textual & Structural Analysis: Conducted an in-depth dramaturgical study of Oleanna, examining its narrative structure, power dynamics, and socio-political themes to guide adaptation decisions.
Directorial Collaboration: Worked closely with the director to integrate varied directorial approaches, ensuring conceptual coherence and responsiveness to contemporary social issues.
Production Coordination: Advised and supported the production team across rehearsals and staging processes, aligning performance choices with dramaturgical intentions.

May 2017— Playwright and Director, The Duet, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

Social Commentary: Addressed women’s rights and restrictions on female musical performance in Iran, embedding socio-political critique within the dramatic narrative.
Dramaturgical Research: Applied concepts from David Ball’s Backwards & Forwards to structure character motivation, scene progression, and dramatic tension.
Directing & Staged Reading: Directed a public reading of the play at Tehran University, guiding performers through interpretive choices and emotional pacing.

Feb 2017— Dramaturg, Krapp, Hilaj Film School, Tehran, Iran:

Textual & Character Analysis: Examined existential dimensions and irony in Krapp’s Last Tape.

Intercultural Adaptation: Reworked the character using elements from traditional Iranian Rouhowzi performance.

Actor Development: Trained the actor in embodying the adapted role through acting methodologies.

May 2016 — Dramaturg: Sunday, Manshoor Honar, Tehran, Iran

Powered the cast and director in redefining their personal space based on Jan Micheál Rib’s plays through research and analysis on fantasy space and designing theatrical practices

Oct 2015 — Playwright, The Immorality, Bazigah, Tehran, Iran

Playwriting & Narrative Structure: Developed an original stage play examining the tension between personal desire and societal norms through a multi-character narrative.
Dramaturgical Research: Investigated cultural and ethical frameworks surrounding morality in contemporary Iranian society to inform thematic direction.

Character Development: Designed psychologically complex characters and crafted dialogue reflecting conflicting moral perspectives.

Mar 2020 — Instructor, Creative Writing (Playwriting Focus), Arshe Art School, Iran

Curriculum Design: Developed a structured playwriting program emphasizing dramatic structure and character work.

Instruction & Mentorship: Guided students through analytical writing, narrative clarity, and original play creation.

Project Supervision: Oversaw student presentations and provided performance feedback.

Winter 2018 — Teaching Assistant, Playwriting Principles I, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Branch, Iran

Student Support: Assisted students in understanding course material and completing assignments.

Assessment: Evaluated student presentations and provided constructive dramaturgical feedback.

Irrelevant Experience

April 2023- March 2024: Torfeh Negar Group, Tehran, Iran: Copywriter (Remote),

Feb 2022-April 2023: Flightio (Door Parvaz), Tehran, Iran: Copywriter

Sep 2018-May 2019: Khane Saat(Arya Zaman), Tehran,Iran: Content marketer

Sep 2016-March 2017: Hambastegi Newspaper, Tehran, Iran: Journalist

Academic Projects

31 Jan 2025 – 3 Feb 2025 — Dramaturgy Team Member, Harmonic Monkey Recomposition, Museum Schloss Fechenbach, Dieburg, Germany

Collaborative Dramaturgy: Worked with an international team of artists to develop the dramaturgical concept for a media artwork created during a public workshop in Dieburg, integrating AI-generated material in a critical way based on participants’ perceptions of the city.

Theoretical & Contextual Research: Conducted in-depth dramaturgical research on Hugo Kükelhaus, analysing his principles of aesthetic education and their socio-political implications to inform adaptation strategies for the project.

Nov 2024 – Dec 2024 — Public Relations Team Member, MedienWerkSTAT, Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences & Museum Schloss Fechenbach, Germany

Press & Communication: Contributed to writing press releases and promotional materials.
Audience Research: Designed and conducted participant surveys to inform event evaluation.
Team Collaboration: Coordinated communication and planning with students, faculty, and museum staff.

Jun 2024 – Jul 2024 — Tech Implementation Team Member, Über x Morgen Art Exhibition, Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences & Museum Schloss Fechenbach, Germany

Technical Installation: Set up AR systems and audio stations to enhance audience engagement and interaction.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Worked with artists and curators to integrate technology with exhibition design.

Workflow Design: Developed technical workflows ensuring reliability and accessibility

Jul 2024 — Student Researcher, E//Immersio VI – Soundscapes in Change: On Listening and Sustainability, Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences & Museum Schloss Fechenbach, Dieburg, Germany

Scientific Poster Development: Contributed to the preparation of a research poster presenting findings on the Soundwalking method as a tool for ecological mindfulness, synthesizing theoretical and experiential data.
Data Interpretation & Methodological Analysis: Participated in analyzing soundwalk observations to articulate connections between listening practices, environmental awareness, and sustainability discourse.
Academic Presentation: Assisted in presenting the scientific poster to attendees, communicating research insights to an interdisciplinary audience.
Interdisciplinary Engagement: Collaborated across sound studies, environmental humanities, and media art perspectives to contextualize soundwalking within contemporary ecological inquiry.

Publication

Research

Zeinali, I. (2025). The Life-Routine Concept in Chekhov’s Ivanov and Uncle Vanya Based on Heidegger’s Ontological Viewing Approach. Manuscript under submission. Proposed journal: Estetika: The European Journal of Aesthetics.

Book

Zeinali, I. (2022). Beyond the pine trees and other stories. Avazh Publication 978-600-8698-82-1

Courses

Sep 2024 — Participant, Performing Streets / Reclaiming the City, Berlin Summer University of the Arts, Germany

Supervisor: Stefan Miessler

Interactive & Immersive Design: Created The Zero Zone, a site-specific performance incorporating game mechanics.

Narrative Application: Applied dramaturgical storytelling techniques in urban participatory contexts.

Skills

Technical & Digital: AR/VR, Creative coding(Java), interactive media, audio programming & sound design

Artistic & Creative: Playwriting, dramaturgy, immersive and site-specific performance, interactive/cyber theater, multimedia storytelling, exhibition design

Languages: Persian (native), English (B2), German (B1)