Igor
Golyak

Igor Golyak is an internationally recognized theater director who transforms classical and contemporary works into groundbreaking productions that reach audiences in 55+ countries. Featured on Good Morning America and profiled by The New York Times for directing Mikhail Baryshnikov and collaborating with Jessica Hecht and Bill Irwin at Lincoln Center, BAM, and Baryshnikov Arts Center, Golyak has been called "among the most inventive directors working in the United States" (New York Times, 2 Critics' Picks) and earned The Wall Street Journal's Best Theater of 2024. Winner of 4 Lucille Lortel Awards—the most of any production that year—this Ukrainian refugee who discovered his Jewish heritage at age 7 creates what Tony-nominee Jessica Hecht calls "universal language that deeply moves people," with upcoming productions including The Wanderers at London's Marylebone Theatre. Former Boston Conservatory Professor who founded Arlekin Players Theatre (16 years, 25+ productions) and pioneered virtual theater reaching 50,000+ viewers globally during the pandemic, Golyak brings together A-list talent to create theater that builds empathy and understanding of "the other" through what he calls "the most practical magic we possess." Producers and artistic directors seek Golyak to transform their stages into spaces where, as Baryshnikov states, "even during the dark days there is artistic possibility."

 

Media & Recognition:

• Featured on Good Morning America

• Profiled by The New York Times (2 Critics' Picks)

• Wall Street Journal Best Theater of 2024

• PBS/WGBH 26-minute special

• NPR All Things Considered national feature

Venues & Reach:

• 55+ countries, 40+ US states reached

• 50,000+ total audience (live and virtual)

• Major venues: Lincoln Center, BAM, Classic Stage Company, Baryshnikov Arts Center

• International: Monaco Theatre Festival, London (2025), Armenia, Austria

Awards & Achievements:

• 4 Lucille Lortel Awards (2025) - most wins of any production

• 5+ Elliot Norton Awards including Outstanding Director

• Special Citation for creating "new genre of theater" (Boston Critics Association)

• Drama League, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations

Leadership & Innovation:

• Founded Arlekin Players Theatre (16 years, 25+ productions)

• Founded Zero Gravity Virtual Theater Lab (pandemic innovation)

• Former Boston Conservatory Associate Professor

• MFA - GITIS Russian academy of Theatre Arts

Testimonials:

• "Igor's fearless exploration demonstrated that even during lockdown there was artistic possibility." —Mikhail Baryshnikov

• "He creates universal language that deeply moves people." —Jessica Hecht, Tony nominee

• "Igor understood Chekhov in a way I could only dream about." —Jessica Hecht

• "Among the most inventive directors working in the United States." —The New York Times

• "An epic and intimate drama...stark and uncompromising." —Wall Street Journal