Avaaz

MICHAEL SHAYAN (Roya)

is an Emmy Award-nominated, Iranian-American writer, performer and illusionist from “Tehran-geles,” CA. He was recently recognized on Out Magazine’s prestigious OUT100 list of the “most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people.” Shayan makes his Denver Center debut with Avaaz, kicking off a national tour after a soldout, record-breaking run at Olney Theatre Center. Shayan’s upcoming play CRUISING, directed by Tony Award nominee Robert O’Hara, will premiere on Audible in 2025. His other plays have been produced and developed by The Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, La MaMa, New York Stage & Film, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Rattlestick, and The Lark, among others. He has received fellowships from the Sundance Institute, Sun Valley Writers Conference, Theatre Aspen and Lambda Literary, and held residencies with The New Harmony Project, SPACE on Ryder Farm and Stillwright. He was a writer and Consulting Producer on the Emmywinning “The Book of Queer” (MAX). He studied playwriting at Harvard University and received a Master’s in Playwriting from Brooklyn College. At thirteen, he was the youngest performer in the history of the Hollywood Magic Castle. @michaelshayan