Aydan Shahd

Aydan Shahd (they/them or he/him) is a trans dramaturg from Singapore based in Brooklyn, and the Artistic Fellow at Playwrights Horizons. They direct Shakespeare and new work, and have a background in ensemble-based and devised theatre. In addition to a love for both classical and new work, they are also interested in the mingling of the two — new work that retells, re-forms, or adapts literary/theatrical traditions. Aydan graduated from Barnard College with a degree in English, concentration in theatre, and served on the executive board of Columbia University’s King’s Crown Shakespeare Troupe for three years. They previously interned with Beehive co-founder Natasha Sinha at Signature Theatre, where they helped develop new dramaturgy-based artistic programming.

RECENT SELECTED WORK
-West, a new play by Antonia Georgieva; director and dramaturg. Production presented by NOMADS at Barnard College/Columbia University.

-The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare; director and dramaturg (with Asya Sagnak). Production presented by King’s Crown Shakespeare Troupe at Barnard College/Columbia University.

-TV projects-in-development with Midwest Livestock Productions (Joan Rater and Tony Phelan), 2020.

RECOMMENDED BY
Natasha Sinha (Associate Artistic Director, Playwrights Horizons)
Joan Rater (Executive Producer and Writer, Midwest Livestock Productions)

A great book I read recently: “Time Is the Thing a Body Moves Through” by T Fleischmann Most interesting non-theater job I've done: I find my work in higher education admissions, first at Barnard College and now at Adler University, always in

A great book I read recently:

“Time Is the Thing a Body Moves Through” by T Fleischmann

Most interesting non-theater job I've done:

I find my work in higher education admissions, first at Barnard College and now at Adler University, always interesting: it offers the chance to speak to a huge variety of people with fascinating backgrounds, academic interests, accomplishments, and educational goals, often centering around social justice.

My favorite shows I saw right before the pandemic:

I really adored getting to see Lauren Yee's Cambodian Rock Band and Katori Hall's The Hot Wing King at Signature Theatre right before the pandemic!

Some things I like to do in my free time:

I like to ride my bike along Lake Michigan, cook big meals for my household, cuddle with my cats, and play video games :)

Favorite script-reading/artist meeting spot:

I moved to Chicago during the pandemic and so haven't gotten the chance to really scope out an ideal script-reading/artist meeting spot here yet (for now, I like to read on my balcony when it's not too cold!); back in NYC, my favorite spot is the Hungarian Pastry Shop.