Talking about the losses left by the "Corona" crisis in terms of artistic and creative work, which was totally stopped recently, coincided with the measures of domestic isolation and social divergence imposed on everyone, which led observers and workers in the field to expect a decline in the demand for performing arts in general and the theater In particular, because of the threat that the epidemic poses to the concept of mass attendance in general.
However, the matter seems to be different for makers of "Arts", as they devised new ways and methods that contributed to breathe life into the arts of "wood" through accompanying initiatives, actions and demonstrations based on the digital space to declare their victory for "the will of life" and keep them creative. Perhaps the experience of a number of Emirati theater pioneers, whom "Emirates Today" met, is the best evidence of the new mechanisms and exceptional strategies taken to keep pace with the stage, through ideas and solutions that bear all the "scenarios", with a bet that the Emirati theater will return stronger than it was.
The gift of talent continues
Describing the new mechanisms followed, Yasser Al-Gergawi, Chairman of the Dubai National Theater, said: “Life will continue, and talent and creativity will continue. As for us who are working in the field of theater and performing arts and cultural activities, we are fully aware that the next stage must be different from its mechanisms before the epidemic, we have learned from this harsh experience and benefited greatly from it. ”
He added, "Smart (electronic) communication is now the focus of the future, so we had to place artificial intelligence in its various colors as a priority in dealing with the audience of this millennium, in preparation for a future generation trained and educated on this well, especially since the forms of communication with the audience have become clear and defined, not Only in the UAE or the Arab world, but in the whole world ».
Al-Gergawi continued, “The mechanism of theater production will differ, as will the nature of audience and nutrition observations. We at Dubai National Theater have nurtured social media and virtual communication platforms with previous theater videos and a lot of lectures, interviews and seminars, and we have announced competitions in which the public can participate remotely and a list of events Conferences and cultural activities in the field of the performing arts whose platforms will be interacting electronically and in proportion to the current changes. As for the theater, it will return stronger than it was, and the audience is always thirsty for attending plays in the halls designated for them. It is a matchless match, and our current strategy bears all the scenarios that we are heading towards. ”
Communication
For his part, Emirati playwright Abdullah Saleh stressed that the spread of the new media helped to establish many activities to help the continuity of the theatrical show, the most prominent of which are virtual workshops and lectures, all the way to "streaming broadcasts" to display various works, noting the practical solutions proposed and rewarding material returns to encourage The culture of "watching", such as selling tickets online "and uploading links to plays and artwork.
Saleh stopped on the experience of the Dubai National Theater in organizing many seminars and lectures on the role of the Emirati artist in the face of this pandemic: “I do not think that the theater in the Emirates is threatened, as every theater or theater organization has been able to find successful methods to communicate with the public, such as the experience of the theater and theater association Dubai National for the virtual Ramadan councils held in the month of Ramadan and the period of isolation, in addition to the determined efforts made by the Arab Theater Authority to restore life to the theater movement locally and in the Arab world ».
Creative initiatives
As for the Emirati artist Omar Ghobash, he praised the value of direct interaction and emotional contact with the recipient in dedicating the aesthetic of the theatrical show to its credibility, considering that at the same time electronic media, even if they are temporary alternatives to the stage of the show, helped the theatricals to open new channels and not to be closed and isolated due to Corona.
He stressed that the virus cannot be a reason for stopping the theater or any artistic or cultural activity related to the creativity of people, especially since many disasters and epidemics that have befallen mankind were not the reason for the extinction of any kind of arts and I think that the best theatrical art can be presented in the coming period is (Monodrama), which depends on the single actor, who may be the author, director and owner of the comprehensive vision of theatrical work, pointing out that there is no integrated work mechanism in the current period that contributes to supporting theatrical works that can be presented now, especially since theatrical work cannot be approved On personal financing from the artist himself. ” Ghobash mentioned that he took advantage of the isolation period to launch an open digital channel via the YouTube platform and available to all creators, he called it "Theater and Drama Channel", through which he succeeded in presenting his play "Hallaj Alone" that he prepared for digital display during the isolation period.
Creative ideas
While the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Umm Al Quwain National Theater, Emirati artist Saeed Salem, revealed an innovative initiative through which the Council of Artists of the Theatrical Society in Sharjah adopted many Emirati theatrical works through YouTube, in an attempt to transfer the pleasure of theatrical scenery to homes and satisfy the thirsty audience For theatrical works which are disrupted due to the pandemic. He added, "Perhaps this step has served the Emirati theater greatly and opened the doors for the public to learn about the classics of the Emirati theater and the majority of plays that were presented in well-known festivals; Like Sharjah Theater Days, the Dubai Festival for Youth Theater, and the Emirates Children's Festival, as for what happened recently due to the crisis, the artist and creator should consider it a pause for studying and evaluating what he presented in the past, and what he can offer of new art projects for the wood ».
Abdullah Saleh: The ball is in the stadium of the "Social" Stars
Despite the many criticisms and drawbacks recorded against them, the artist Abdullah Saleh admits the necessity of using “Abu El-Founoun” today with social media stars, explaining: “Let us recognize that the ball is now in the stadium of (Social Media) who we can use to contribute to the promotion of theatrical works in this period. The difficult, and raise the levels of viewing and follow-up of various theatrical works. He added, "We are forced in this period to deal with them and get out of the ivory tower ... to recognize that this is the time of (the social media) and the new media, and we have to adapt to the changes."
The mechanism of theatrical production will vary, as will the nature of audience audiences.
The crisis is an opportunity for the creator to reflect on and assess what he has presented, and what he can put on the stage.