Itay Tiran
Actor
IcExcellence chosen artist since 2006
Theater
"Hamlet, performed by Itay Tiran, a 25 year old Israeli actor, is one of the greatest Hamlets I have ever seen on stage - and I have seen quite a few in my time. Not only is he an engaging and charismatic Hamlet, but he is also an actor with great musical versatility."
Peter Lathan, The British Theatre Guide, 2005
Press Reviews
Itay Tiran, born in 1980, studied classical piano in the Petach Tikva municipal conservatorium and later majored in music at Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts. He ended up making a bold decision to replace his lifelong focus on music with a new discipline: the world of drama. In 1999 he enrolled in the Beit Zvi Acting School, where his exceptional talent was immediately apparent and gained him many scholarships and awards. His roles as a third-year student included Mozart in "Amadeus," Nero in "Brittanicus" and Berger in the musical "Hair."

Upon completing his studies Itay joined the Cameri Theater of Tel Aviv. Among his parts there: Eilif in "Mother Courage," Franz Jägerstätter in "Eye Witness," Nicolah in "Caviar and Lentils" and the lead in "Hamlet." In April 2006, Itay won the Best Actor Award in Israeli Theater.

Itay's talents shine offstage as well; he appears regularly on various television series, and has played leading roles in award winning films, such as "Forgiveness" (Mechilot) , which was presented at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival, and "Beaufort", which won the 'Silver Bear' Award for best director at the 2007 Berlin Film Festival.

In March 2007, Tiran received rave reviews from audiences and media in Washington DC for his performance in Hamlet in the fascinating production by the Tel Aviv Cameri Theater. This award-winning rendition was presented as part of the Shakespeare in Washington Festival of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Awards and Scholarships:
America-Israel Cultural Foundation scholarships
The Tsvi Clear Prize for Excellence in Studies
For "Eye Witness":
     Most Promising Actor in Israel Theater for 2003;
     Edna Flidel Scholarship
For his performance in "Hamlet":
     Best Actor of the Year for 2005 (Israeli Oscar)
     The Abraham Ben Yosef Award from the Mayor of Tel Aviv;
     The Gottlieb & Hanna Rosenblum Award for Excellence in
     the Performing Arts

Itay Tiran was chosen by the distinguished members of IcExcellence Advisory Board for Theater: Micha Lewensohn, Prof. Shimon Levy and Yuval Meskin.


IcExcellence is supporting Itay in tailor-made artistic programs, and providing special career advancement consulting.


Press Reviews
"One more thing, for which it was all worthwhile: Itay Tiran in the title role. Handsome, talented, amazingly charismatic, he sounds as if he is thinking, feeling and speaking the complex text at that very moment, right in front of you, light of foot, and also playing the piano as he utters key words on life and the theater: 'The readiness is all.' In my view he is one of those actors that emerge once in a generation."
Michael Handelzalts, Ha'aretz, Jan. 9, 2005

"Great admiration was expressed by Andrzej Wajda.... The eminent director, who has staged Hamlet four times, said that Itay Tiran, who plays the leading role, has every chance of an international career. He added that Tiran is greatly reminiscent of James Dean."
Jan Boncza-szablowski, Rzeczpospolita, Aug. 13, 2005

"Itay Tiran's Hamlet is the crown jewels in Omri Nitzan's production that made one appreciated a new theatrical experience, that made one want to return to theatre and experience this riveting production again and again and again."
Michael Ajzenstadt, Play International, 2005

"Itay Tiran is brilliant, both in his acting abilities and musical versatility. His Hamlet connects the spontaneity of the youth and the maturity of the philosopher in an exceptional manner."
Jan Boncza-szablowski, Rzeczpospolita, Aug. 13, 2005

"Itay tiran's Hamlet is superb...His portrayal of the suffering teenager is an impressive as the most inspired performances I have ever seen, here or abroad."
Naomi Doudai, The Jerusalem Post, February 2005

"...Itay Tiran stands out above all the others, commanding the stage with his totally revealing performance in the lead role. There is something uncompromising in him, something pure as a diamond that makes it impossible not to listen."
Shay Bar-Yaacov, Yedioth Aharonoth, June 29, 2003

"Despite his young age and his lack of stage experience, he displays a rare maturity. Tiran is a very physical actor; he walks at a run and runs a great deal. He plays the piano (wonderfully) and the main thing - his locution is flawless.... Itay Tiran possesses the rare ability of lucid, precise and understandable speech."
Elyakim Yaron, Maariv, Feb. 2005

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