OWRANG INSTITUTE
About the Owrang Institute of Arts and Culture
The Owrang Institute, originally known as the Owrang Theater Group, was founded in 2015 by Rokhand Gharavi, Sadegh Hatefi, and Adam Hatefi in Sacramento, California. In January 2020, it was officially established as the Owrang Institute of Arts and Culture, a non-profit charitable performing arts organization. Sadegh Hatefi—a renowned Persian actor, writer, and director, and the group’s Theater Director—previously led the Iranian National Theater Group for many years and organized successful tours across Iran and Europe. Rokhand Gharavi, Owrang’s CEO, has worked as a TV producer and editor for decades. These two (Hatefi and Gharavi) have collaborated for over 30 years; during this time, in addition to producing television series, they have also staged theatrical productions and organized Iranian cultural celebrations.
From the start, the group’s goal has been to attract young talent in the Sacramento area, encouraging them to participate in a diverse slate of artistic endeavors—particularly in the performing arts—to help preserve the Persian culture and language among the new generation of Iranian Americans.
Today, in addition to producing creative performances, radio plays, and digital works published through the Owrang Echo podcast and YouTube channel, we aim to uplift creators and artists from Farsi- and Persian-speaking countries who now live in exile, having fled oppression. Our primary goal is to help artists once again showcase their work. We offer a platform on this website where artists can work together and support each other.
From the start, the group’s goal has been to attract young talent in the Sacramento area, encouraging them to participate in a diverse slate of artistic endeavors—particularly in the performing arts—to help preserve the Persian culture and language among the new generation of Iranian Americans.
Today, in addition to producing creative performances, radio plays, and digital works published through the Owrang Echo podcast and YouTube channel, we aim to uplift creators and artists from Farsi- and Persian-speaking countries who now live in exile, having fled oppression. Our primary goal is to help artists once again showcase their work. We offer a platform on this website where artists can work together and support each other.