Soykan Karayol

Soykan Karayol is a PhD student at the Centre for the Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies. He holds a B.A. Hons. and a diploma in Professional Actor Training from the Theatre and Drama Studies program jointly offered between the University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College. Born and raised in Türkiye, his theatre training and practice spans across the two countries and since graduating, Soykan has been working as an actor, playwright, and translator based in Toronto.

Soykan is passionate about anti-fascist, anti-imperialist, and socialist stories and performances. He is particularly interested in theatre that critiques local and global oppression, caused by the exploitative profit-based systems humanity has been forced to live in. Soykan believes theatre can spread hope, promote intercultural dialogue, and inspire collective action. His current research examines Turkish political theatre history, giving special attention to leftist performances of the turbulent 1960-1980 period.