Born in India, Zaraawar Mistry is an actor, writer, director, teacher and producer in the Twin Cities. He was co-founder of the Center for Independent Artists, and an Associate Artistic Director at Theater Mu. As an actor he has performed at the Guthrie, the Children’s Theater Company and Mixed Blood Theater. He has collaborated as an actor, writer and director with Ragamala Dance.

Zaraawar's first one man play was Sohrab and Rustum, which premiered at Center for Independent Artists in 2002. His next solo play, Indian Cowboy, was presented at Mixed Blood Theater in January 2006, and was published in Asian American Plays for a New Generation. Both these plays were presented at Asia Society in New York City and at Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston. His newest solo work, The Other Mr. Gandhi, premiered at Dreamland Arts in February 2012 and opened Illusion Theater's 25th Fresh Ink series in July 2012. Zaraawar regularly performs a storytelling program, Children's Stories from India at schools and libraries in the Twin Cities.

Minnesota Public Radio profile of Zaraawar Mistry by Marianne Combs

Zaraawar has an M.F.A. in Theatre from UC, San Diego and a B.A. from Bennington College in Vermont. He has received numerous grants in support of his work, from the Jerome Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Playwright’s Center among others. He has taught theater classes at many organizations in the Twin Cities, and has been the Interim Program Director for the City Arts program at H.E.C.U.A.. He was also an Adjunct Professor at Hamline University in 2007. Zaraawar is a consultant and works part time as the Artist Resources Coordinator for Springboard for the Arts.

Email: z@dreamlandarts.com