Artur Solomonov graduated from the Russian University of Theatre Arts and then spent a year in Berlin studying German theatre. Taking up work as a theatre critic, he published over a thousand reviews and columns in Russian magazines and newspapers. He then became head of the Department of Culture at The New Times and Public Relations Manager at Culture TV. In 2010, he left both jobs, moved to India, and wrote his first novel, A Theatrical Story. A bestseller in Russia, it was adapted for the stage in 2015 and played to sold-out houses in Moscow. His first play, God’s Grace, won second prize in the 8th Biennale for Dramatic Art in London as the best political and social play. How We Buried Josef Stalin was published by the Russian online magazine Snob to great acclaim – and much controversy. At last count, it has been translated into seven different languages. Scenes from the English translation can be found on ASYMPTOTE, the leading online journal for literary translation: https://www.asymptotejournal.com/drama/how-we-buried-josef-stalin-artur-solomonov/

Currently, he teaches courses ranging from Asian Masterpieces to Modern European Drama at a private high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an actor, his favorite roles include Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps (Off Square Theatre, Jackson, WY) and Michael Evans in Dancing at Lughnasa (Novato Theatre Company, Marin, CA). Professional directing credits include Ionesco’s The Lesson (Riot Act, Jackson, WY) and Dostoevsky’s Crime & Punishment (Off Square). Hanlon has translated numerous plays by Maksym Kurochkin, including Mooncrazed and the oft-produced Vodka, Fucking, and Television. For The Lark in New York, he translated Aleksey Scherbak’s Colonel Pilate (2014 Brave New Works Award, Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga), Kurochkin’s Fighter Class “Medea” (featured play in the 2011 Soviet Arts Experience showcase, Chicago), and Yulia Tupikina’s Inhale-Exhale. Currently, he teaches courses ranging from African Studies to Modern World Literature at San Francisco Waldorf High School. John holds a BA in Russian from Swarthmore College and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.