Arya Shahi is a director, writer, performer, composer and lyricist. He is the co-founder of PigPen Theatre Co. Broadway: Water For Elephants (composer/lyricist). Off-Broadway: The Old Man and The Old Moon* (New Victory, The Gym at Judson), Pericles (performer, Theater for a New Audience) #BARS Workshop (Writer/Performer, Public Theater). Regional: English (director, The Old Globe), The Old Man and The Old Moon* (Berkeley Rep, The Old Globe, Writers Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Wallis), The Tale of Despereaux* (Berkeley Rep, The Old Globe), The Hunter and The Bear* (Writers Theatre), Water for Elephants** (Alliance Theatre), The Phantom Folktales*** (Virgin Voyages) Albums: Bremen, The Way I’m Running, Whole Sun, Water for Elephants (PigPen Theatre Co.) Select Awards & Honors: Tony Award Nomination for Best Musical, Drama League Nomination for Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outer Critics Circle Nomination for Outstanding New Broadway Musical (Water For Elephants). Overall Excellence Award (The Nightmare Story and The Mountain Song) NYC International Fringe Festival, Off Broadway Alliance Best Unique Theatrical Experience Nomination (The Old Man and The Moon), Artist Ambassador for New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU, 2021-2024)  

Shahi’s book, An Impossible Thing to Say, has garnered many awards and nominations, including 2024 Best of the Year (Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature), 2024 Best of the Year (Cooperative Children’s Book Center), the 2023 Best Books, Fiction List (The Horn Book), and more.  

Education: Carnegie Mellon University, BFA Drama with University Honors, 2011  

* performer/writer/director   **composer/lyricist     ***writer/director