Interactive Theatre Project Sparks Social Dialogue in Tartus
The city of Tartus recently hosted a series of performances of the interactive play “The Café,” marking the latest milestone in a project designed to empower youth to express their perspectives on community issues through the performing arts. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the “Artists Citizens” foundation and the Directorate of Theatres and Music, focusing on topics that directly affect the daily lives of citizens.
“The Café” tackles sensitive subjects of public concern, including the dynamics of sharing news and rumors on social media platforms, as well as the prevalence of hate speech and prejudices that impact the social fabric. A defining feature of this interactive theatre format is the removal of the traditional barrier between the stage and the audience. Attendees are actively encouraged to engage in discussions and interact directly with the characters, facilitating a platform for the exchange of diverse viewpoints regarding the issues presented.
Interactive theatre coach Dima Abaza explained that the production was the culmination of an intensive five-day workshop involving 15 young participants in Tartus, overseen by a specialized training team. Abaza noted that the project, which spans five Syrian governorates—including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Daraa, and Tartus—aims to equip young people with the skills to craft scripts that reflect the concerns of their local environments. A primary goal is to foster discussions around social cohesion and civil peace.
Participants in the project, including actor Al-Hadi Muhammad Mustafa, emphasized that the play’s subject matter was chosen in coordination with the local community in Tartus and its rural surroundings to ensure that the content resonated with lived experiences. Furthermore, lecturer Ali Shalish highlighted the vital role that theatre plays in stimulating social dialogue, noting its ability to transform individual concerns into spaces for public discourse.
The project’s program featured five interactive performances held at various venues across Tartus and its countryside. These locations included the Social Affairs theatre, the headquarters of the Weave volunteer team, the Fada Association in Baniyas, the Silk House in Dreikish, and the Syrian Theatre stage in Tartus. The project is supported by “Ettijahat – Independent Culture” and is part of a broader effort to provide creative platforms that contribute to strengthening a culture of dialogue and active listening through interactive arts.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
