Meet Vancouver-based actor Kamyar Pazandeh.
Meet Kamyar Pazandeh
From an early age Kamyar has seen the world as a stage. When the time was right (or not right, for that matter) he was up and performing for his peers and family. Whether it was doing an imitation or doing a comedy routine, Kamyar enjoyed making people laugh. Music – piano, trumpet, composition, and singing – was also a passion in his early years, and remains a source of inspiration in his life and work. Skip a decade and that desire to entertain has carried him to the end of theatre school.
Kamyar  is honoured to be graduating from Studio 58 during their 50th anniversary year. Credits include ‘Jud Fry’ in Oklahoma!, ‘Tybalt’ in Romeo and Juliet (Studio 58), and ‘Ernest Simpson’, ‘Bertie’, ‘Diamond’, and ‘Espil’ in The Duchess (Ruby Slippers). He is the recipient of the Leon and Thea Koerner Award in the Fine and Performing Arts as well as the Lloyd Nicholson Memorial Endowed Scholarship. He is currently co-writing and composing a musical titled Retail: The Musical that will be presented at Studio 58 in February during FourPlay. Look out for him this summer at Bard on the Beach where he will be playing ‘Pericles’ in Pericles.
20 Questions with Kamyar Pazandeh
Your first job.
Working as a student helper for a summer school program when I was 14. Selling freezies and candy basically.
The job you always wanted as a child.
I thought was it was possible to become Mr. Bean. I feel as if I’m halfway there.
Your pet peeve.
Slow walkers. Get moving!
Your hero.
My father. He was an incredibly humble, honest, and honorable man.
Your biggest indulgence.
Carrot Cake. Made by mom of course.
One thing no one knows about you.
Carrot Cake. Made by mom of course.
Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.
A piano, my laptop, and a set of weights.
The one word your best friend would use to describe you.
Entertaining.
If you were not a theatre professional, what would you be doing right now?
Personal training.
Hero or villain?
Villain, because to them, they’re doing the right thing. I think it’s much more interesting to show the audience a different perspective.
Your life’s motto/mantra.
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain.
Your favourite playwright.
John Patrick Shanley.
The role you are destined to play.
Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.
If you were a cartoon character what cartoon character would you be and why?
Kronk from Emperor’s New Groove. I’m a sensitive, distracted guy. Plus I can do his voice.
What will it say on your grave marker?
Here lies Kamy, he continues to take up space.
Who would you most like to have dinner with?
Frederic Chopin. I’d eat both of our meals and he’d offer the background music.
Your idea of happiness.
Living in the moment, finding purpose, and laughing.
The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.
Giving my valedictorian speech and honouring my high school class.
Your most memorable moment at Studio 58.
Singing my life story in power song. I feel it was a milestone for me to just simply be on stage and not perform.
To be or not to be?
Be!