Zareh Artinian, Jr.

Playwright Lyricist
he/him/his

Zareh Artinian (he/him), M.F.A., Dramatists Guild Member, is an award-winning playwright and published author who has had three shows produced in and around Boston, Mass. Zareh’s most recent work, a two-act musical called The Glassblower’s Daughter, or Shattered! An American Fairy Tale (music and lyrics by Kelvyn Koning), was just awarded first place in the 33rd Annual Jackie White Memorial Playwriting Contest and will be produced in the Columbia Entertainment Company’s upcoming 2024 – 2025 season. His script for his current work-in-progress, América Jonze, was named a Second Rounder in the Austin Film Festival 2023 and received an Honorable Mention in the Big Apple Film Festival 2023. He also created an original translation and adaptation of The Canterbury Tales: A Childe’s Tale as a commissioned piece of children’s theatre for the Revels of Watertown, Mass., and wrote the book for Beneath the Skin (music and lyrics by Melissa Carubia), a musical commissioned by Athena Louise Hyacinth Productions to tell the story of a woman dealing with mental illness and the de-stigmatization of asking for help. Zareh has published over a dozen short stories for middle school readers and additional works for the educational marketplace. His work appeals to both children and adults. Zareh has taught various writing and media courses at Emerson College, Sacred Heart University, and Eastern Nazarene College. He has a B.S. from St. Joseph’s College and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College. An experienced editor, writer, and producer in a variety of media, as well as a consummate professional collaborator, Zareh believes that theatre and the arts have the potential to inspire and create opportunities for dialogue about many important issues we face today.

Highlights

First Place Winner, 33rd Annual Jackie White Memorial Playwriting Contest 2023: The Glassblower's Daughter (with Kelvyn Koning)

Honorable Mention, Big Apple Film Festival 2023: América Jonze: Pilot

Second Rounder, Austin Film Festival 2023: América Jonze: Pilot

Honorable Mention, Finish Line Script Competition 2023: América Jonze: Pilot

Quarter Finalist, CineStory 2023