The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has announced the launch of the “Artist Leader” program in collaboration with “Project You.” This initiative aims to inspire emerging theatrical talents, engage school students, and motivate them to enhance their skills while exploring interactive theater techniques. The program features a range of cultural and artistic experiences designed to refine students’ personalities, develop their performance abilities, and foster leadership skills. This aligns with the authority’s commitment to investing in young talents and supporting the strength of cultural and creative industries, as well as realizing Dubai’s vision of becoming a global center for culture, creativity, and talent.
Running from April 24 to May 31 at the Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children, the program will include a series of workshops and training sessions. These activities will introduce students to the concepts of interactive theater and its core elements, including the space, audience, and performance leader. It will also cover essential components such as storytelling, characters, costumes, and props, highlighting the importance and role of interactive theater in addressing and discussing issues directly with the audience. A team of experts will lead training on voice modulation, character development, scene creation, improvisation, self-expression, time management, communication, and problem-solving. Specialized exercises in theater and leadership will aim to develop students’ personalities and empower them to engage with the audience on stage.
The program will also feature brainstorming sessions designed to train participants in planning interactive scenes that address issues relevant to adolescents, presenting them in innovative ways, and discussing them with the audience in a lively and creative atmosphere.
In this context, Meitha Ali Shahdad, acting director of the Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children, emphasized Dubai Culture’s dedication to encouraging students to explore the significance of interactive theater and its impact on enhancing their personalities and enriching their knowledge and language skills.
She stated, “Interactive theater is relatively modern, focusing on moving beyond traditional formats and engaging directly with the audience. This makes it an important tool for influencing and effecting change in society, as it helps instill positive values among students and raises their awareness of various social issues.” She added that the “Artist Leader” program provides a creative space that broadens children’s intellectual horizons, encouraging them to harness their energies and unleash their ideas and creativity in the performing arts.