Ariel Dorfman, born in Argentina and a Chilean expatriate is the Walter Hayes Research Professor of Literature and Latin American Studies at Duke University. He is a member of the Academie Universelle des Cultures in Paris and has received numerous honorary degrees. He has been a human rights activist for many years. His books have been translated into over 40 languages and his plays have been performed in over 100 countries. Plays include “WIDOWS” (New American Plays Award of the Kennedy Center, Winner 1998); “READER” (winner of the Roger L Stevens Award of the Kennedy Center 1991); “DEATH AND THE MAIDEN” (Time Out Award/Best London Play 1991, Winner Olivier Award 1992, Best New Play); “SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER” (Kennedy Center, June 2001); “PURGATORIO”, (Seattle Rep 2005). Films include “ BALMACEDA” (co-screenwriter, Winner First Prize Chile Films 1973); “DEATH AND THE MAIDEN” (dir. Roman Polanski); PRISONERS IN TIME” (BBC teleplay co-written with Rodrigo Dorfman, tx 1995, Winner of Best Feature Film WGGB Awards, 1995); “DEAD LINE” (C4 Films, special presentation written with Rodrigo Dorfman and based on Ariel’s poems from his book ‘Last Waltz in Santiago’). He has also had published, novels, short story collections, poetry collections and is a regular contributor to broadsheet newspapers worldwide. “THE OTHER SIDE”, originally commissioned by The National Theatre, Tokyo, 2003/4 premiered in English at Manhattan Theatre Club 2005. Current projects include a feature film adapation of his novel "THE BURNING CITY". In 2008 "PURGATORIO" was produced at the Arcola and options taken on "PICASSOS CLOSET", "IN THE DARK" and "DEATH AND THE MAIDEN" for a West End revival.

www.adorfman.duke.edu