Class Notes: Dariush Kashani (Duke & Roya)

Summary

BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: “Class Notes: Dariush Kashani (Duke & Roya)”

Release Date: July 12, 2025

Introduction to "Duke & Roya"

In the episode titled “Class Notes: Dariush Kashani (Duke & Roya)” from BroadwayRadio, host Lauren Klaschenider engages in an insightful conversation with Dariush Kashani, a prominent cast member of the play "Duke & Roya" performed at the Lucille Lortel Theater. The play intricately weaves the love story between Duke, an international hip-hop artist, and Roya, a courageous Afghan interpreter, set against the backdrop of war-torn Kabul. Their union navigates cultural divides, personal sacrifices, and the fight for a shared future.

Dariush Kashani’s Role and Character Dynamics

Dariush Kashani portrays Saeed Hafez, Roya’s father, in "Duke & Roya." Saeed is depicted as a lead interpreter at the Bagram Military Base in Kabul, embodying both a parental and supervisory figure for Roya. Dariush explains, “I am one of the lead interpreters at Bagram military base in Kabul in Afghanistan… The relationship between father and daughter is what you see in the story” (00:44). This dual role adds complexity to his character, highlighting the intricate balance between duty and familial bonds.

Collaborating with Playwright Charles Randolph Wright

Dariush expresses deep admiration for playwright Charles Randolph Wright, who penned "Duke & Roya." He remarks, “Charles laid it all out in the script for us” (02:10), emphasizing the freshness and uniqueness of the story. Unlike typical narratives centered around the military, Wright’s play focuses on those left behind and often forgotten, offering a new perspective on Afghan life. The authenticity and depth of the script resonated with Dariush, who has previous experience with plays about Afghanistan, including Tony Kushner’s "Homebody/Kabul" from 2001.

Rehearsal Process and Playwright’s Involvement

Throughout the rehearsal process, Wright maintained a consistent presence, providing guidance and feedback. Dariush describes Wright as “a tender-hearted gentleman with a very open mind” (03:35). Wright’s approach involved observing more than directing, ensuring his input was meaningful and impactful. This collaborative environment allowed actors to explore their characters deeply while staying true to the playwright's vision. Dariush appreciates Wright’s openness to feedback, stating, “He was extremely open to feedback on text and dialogue and language” (03:35).

Fellow Cast Members and On-Stage Chemistry

Dariush highlights the camaraderie and dynamic interactions among the cast. He praises Jay Ellis, who plays Duke, describing him as “very, very, very funny” and notes their ability to keep each other “on our toes, backstage and on stage” (01:38). Stephanie Knorr, portraying Roya, is lauded as “marvelous” and a “total joy to work with” (01:38). This mutual respect and friendship extend beyond the stage, fostering a supportive and tight-knit ensemble.

Actors’ Contributions and Playwright’s Adaptability

The actors’ creative inputs significantly enriched the play. Dariush recounts an instance where Jay Ellis introduced a witty remark post-musical number, which captured Duke’s essence perfectly. He observes, “Charles's reaction… he kind of said to Jay, that's it. That's Duke” (05:17). Similarly, Nomad Mweni provided insightful feedback on her character, Noma, which Wright embraced wholeheartedly. Stephanie Knorr infused her role with humor, adding layers to Roya’s character that might not have been prominent on paper. Dariush appreciates how these organic contributions enhanced character nuances without altering the script’s trajectory.

Working with Director Warren Adams

Director Warren Adams plays a pivotal role in cultivating a collaborative and open rehearsal environment. Despite not having worked with Dariush before, they quickly developed a strong rapport, leading to a “very, very good” friendship (09:42). Warren fosters a sense of ownership among the actors, emphasizing that the rehearsal space is theirs to shape. This approach encourages creativity and ensures that all voices are heard, contributing to a cohesive and emotionally resonant performance.

Exploring Themes and Character Complexity

"Duke & Roya" delves into themes of cultural identity, sacrifice, and resilience. Dariush discusses the simplicity and complexity of his dialogue, noting, “It's simple because you understand it… but what was complicated was the reasons why” (08:20). Saeed’s actions are driven by his desire for a better future for Roya, illustrating the internal conflicts faced by individuals caught between two worlds. This depth allows the audience to empathize with characters who navigate personal and cultural challenges.

Conclusion and Final Insights

The episode concludes with Dariush expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his experiences. He emphasizes the supportive atmosphere fostered by both the playwright and director, which has not only enhanced the performance but also forged lasting friendships among the cast (11:29). "Duke & Roya" stands out as a compelling narrative enriched by collaborative artistry, cultural authenticity, and profound emotional depth.

Notable Quotes:

• Dariush Kashani on His Role: “I play Roya's father, Saeed Hafez… The relationship between father and daughter is what you see in the story” (00:44).

• On Playwright’s Fresh Perspective: “It's a breath of fresh air because we're getting a totally different angle” (02:10).

• Regarding Rehearsal Dynamics: “Charles is a tender-hearted gentleman with a very open mind” (03:35).

• On Actor Contributions: “That's it. That's Duke. That's what he would say” (05:17).

• Exploring Dialogue Complexity: “It's simple because you understand it… but what was complicated was the reasons why” (08:20).

This episode of BroadwayRadio offers a deep dive into the collaborative and creative processes behind "Duke & Roya," highlighting Dariush Kashani’s pivotal role and the collective effort that brings this powerful story to life on stage.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

Hi, I'm Lauren Klasschenider with Class Notes for Broadway radio. I'm here with Dariush Kishani, cast member in Duke and Roya at the Lucille Lortel Theater. Hello.

[A]

Hi, Lauren. How are you?

[B]

Terrific and better now that I get to talk to you about this electrifying connection between Duke, an international hip hop artist, and Roya, a fearless Afghan interpreter who find love in the unlikeliest places. War torn cobble. Their worlds collide and they navigate cultural divides, make personal sacrifices and fight for their future. Tell us how you fit into the Duke and Royal love story.

[A]

Well, Lauren, I play Roya's father, Saeed Hafez. I am one of the lead interpreters at Bagram military base in Kabul in Afghanistan. The and I have other family members which I speak about briefly in the play from time to time. We never see them. The relationship between father and daughter is what you see in the story, but not only am I a parental figure, but I'm also her, I guess, her boss or her supervisor.

[B]

Just going to make this as complex as possible.

[A]

Yes, we can thank our wonderful playwright Charles Randolph Wright for that one. And he did it so marvelously.

[B]

Your fellow actors tell us about Duke and about Roya.

[A]

Duke is played by Jay Ellis, an amazing guy, very, very, very funny. He constantly has me in stitches. We keep each other on our toes, backstage and on stage. And Stephanie Knorr, who is Roya, and she's just marvelous, a total, total joy to work with. I look forward to seeing her when I, when I get to the theater every day.

[B]

When you read Charles's play, what were your first impressions of it?

[A]

My initial impression was everything that I believe I would need was right there on the page. I've done plays about Afghanistan before, done a few. The first one was Tony Kushner's homebody cobble back in 2001. So I know already a lot about the history, the region, and of course, just as a, as a person from that part of the world, being originally from Iran, I've always kept up to date. But this, this was a. A new, fresh story in terms of characters and circumstances. So those things really grabbed me when I read it. And I thought to myself, it's a breath of fresh air because we're getting a totally different angle. And that angle is this is not about the military, this is not about the soldiers, but this is about people who have been left behind and also people who have been forgotten. That part of the story I was not familiar with, but again, Charles laid it all out in the script for us.

[B]

What a compliment to the work. And throughout rehearsal, was he in the room? Much.

[A]

Much to our delight every day.

[B]

Oh, great, great. And how did that influence what went on in the rehearsal room?

[A]

Charles is a, a tender hearted gentleman with a very open mind. And he would sit and watch more than he would speak. And then when he would speak, it would count and it would matter. And he would tell you if you needed to go a little bit this way or a little bit that way. He was extremely open to feedback on text and dialogue and language. He worked very closely with, with our wonderful director Warren, to communicate certain things to us in moments where when he would say, you have never played these kinds of characters before. I have written them a very specific way, but I am very open to hearing what you have to say because at the end of the day it's going to be you up there and it's you here in the rehearsal room. So, you know, when you're doing Shakespeare, he's not around, so you're kind of, you know, you have to follow those kind of guidelines. And of course, Charles being there with us, just, just his gentle and understanding presence in the room was very, very comforting. Yeah.

[B]

And you talked about how open he was. Do you recall any times that you could share with us about instances where the actors might have brought something into the room that Charles decided to incorporate?

[A]

Absolutely. There is a moment in the play where Jay, after one of his musical numbers, has some very, very witty kind of remark that he makes. I know it came from Jay's understanding of, of the character and who Duke is. When we were about, I'm going to say about two weeks in, and it just, it just, it just made the room come alive when he did it. And now that now, and I don't want to really give it away. And again, it's like, like in the show, it's like a minor thing, but for all of us it was major because Jay understands his character so well, so thoroughly. And then watching Charles's reaction, and then he kind of said to Jay, he's like, that's it. That's Duke. That's what he, that's totally what he would say. So Jay has many of those moments. The, the wonderful Nomad Mweni, also the same. She had a lot of feedback about Noma, which they fully, fully embraced from day one. And again, these aren't major things that completely change the trajectory of the show or character, but things that would just enhance and bring a lot of nuance. And the same with Stephanie What I found, especially with Stephanie, was just the humor that she has brought to her character where on paper, you know, may seem just like a very, like, serious, straight laced woman who's, who's confined by her circumstances and her culture. And it all could have been done a certain way, which again, I wouldn't want to judge it. That could be just the way you would do it. But just the amount of humor that she brought to it with, you know, just requests she made. Is it possible for me to add this word here or say this. What if I said this here? But it was always organic and just a natural evolution of, of, of, you know, things that would, that would arrive in a moment when we're rehearsing. And then for me personally, I, I would say there was some, some things here and there, but I really liked just everything that Charles had, had, had put on paper. And I thought if I ever have a, something I want to ask him about, I will ask him, but let me go with this as long as I, as I can. So my, you know, my dialogue, I just love what he did with it. It's so simple, so straightforward, complicated, but not confusing to execute. I'll say that.

[B]

Well, I love how you described it as simple and complicated.

[A]

Yes, yes, it's simple because it's simple because you, you understand it. But what, what. It's simple because you understand what's, what's. What I'm, what I'm reading and what I was seeing when I was learning my lines. But what was complicated was the reasons why. Why am, why am I, why am I saying this? Why am I doing this in this moment? Why am I doing that in that, that moment? And you know, for the people who come and see the show and for the responses that I get, that we all get. But I'll just talk about me specifically. I, I do believe that, that they're torn at some of the things I do and some of the things I say. You know, I'm doing them for the better of, of my child and, and the life that I want the both of us to have. But, you know, you do see, you do see people who are, who are torn and caught in between two different worlds, so.

[B]

Right, right. You mentioned Warren Adams, who directed the play. It also seems as though with him in the room and Charles, there was freedom for the actors to really explore and. Have you and Warren worked together before?

[A]

Warren and I have never worked together before, but I feel like we have several times. The degree of comfort with him from day one was, was totally There. We're all very close. Warren and I have become very, very good friends as a result of this process. And he just kind of let us. Yeah, and he just kind of let us know from day one that it was. Wasn't his room. It was our room. And we were there to be one. But the only way that we would be one is if we were all seen and heard by him and by Charles. And then, you know, that that kind of positivity spreads very, very quickly. And we are an extremely tight cast. I've done many shows. They've all been great. They've all been wonderful. Always have had a good time and always walked away with. With some really solid friendships here. We have. We have really become friends for life. And, you know, when you. When you're playing somebody's father, you know, you, You. You learn a lot of things about your. Your cast being in that regard. And Stephanie has just been so generous and kind and, and giving and loving on a regular basis. And so we. The. The exchanges that you see between her and I on stage, whether in our tender moments and whether in our. Our more complicated, challenging moments, we. We got the green light to. To go there from. From day one, you know, and those relationships have. Have been nurtured by our director and then with one another, so.

[B]

Well, it sounds like an absolutely special, unique time, not only in the rehearsal studio, but also with what you're bringing to the stage for audiences every night. And I thank you so much for sharing and for the insight you've brought.

[A]

Thank you so much, Lauren. It was a total pleasure.

[B]

I'm Lauren Klash Schneider with Dariush Kishani, cast member in Duke and Roya at the Lucille Ortel Theater. Thank you.