Dammam Monodrama Festival: Theatrical Competition and Renewed Creativity
The cultural scene in the Eastern Province is witnessing a remarkable artistic movement, with creative competition escalating within the Monodrama Festival held in Dammam. This event, jointly organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Association and the Culture and Arts Association, transforms the association's headquarters and the "Kawaliss" Theater into a venue for high-caliber competition among a select group of Saudi theater artists, amidst a large audience and insightful critical engagement.
Controversial theatrical performances spark debate
The festival's events included a showcase of a range of bold theatrical experiments based on the art of the one-person show (monodrama), one of the most challenging theatrical arts, demanding exceptional performance skills. The presented performances, most notably "Deek," "Refrigerator Embryos," and "Moon," sparked deep and extensive discussions in the accompanying workshops, reflecting the maturity of the theatrical experience and its ability to raise existential and artistic questions that resonate with the audience.
Training and developing talents
Believing in the importance of the academic and training aspects, the festival did not limit itself to performances alone, but also included a specialized training workshop entitled "Performance Techniques in Monodrama." This workshop focused on the precise practical aspects for the actor, from voice and diction exercises to mechanisms for stimulating the imagination and employing the body in the theatrical space, thus contributing to raising the competence of practitioners of this challenging art.
Intergenerational theatrical exchange
Commenting on the event, Youssef Al-Khamis, Director of the Culture and Arts Association in Al-Ahsa Governorate, emphasized the paramount importance of such festivals. He noted that these artistic gatherings are essential for honing talent in all areas of theatrical performance, highlighting the added value created by the interaction between veteran artists and promising young talents. This blend, he explained, "generates experience" and serves as an effective means of acquiring skills and transmitting theatrical knowledge across generations.
Saudi theater in light of Vision 2030
This festival gains particular significance within the broader context of the comprehensive cultural renaissance underway in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. Historically, the Eastern Province has been one of the most important centers of theater in the Kingdom and the Gulf region, having nurtured generations of artists who have enriched the dramatic and theatrical landscape. These events further solidify the status of theater as a tool for cultural expression and are an integral part of the Quality of Life Program, contributing to the Kingdom's position on the regional and international cultural map and underscoring the role of the performing arts in community development and the creative economy.
