"The Journey" of Self-Discovery... Creativity That Knows No Pause
- The production established the actor as the sole means of generating the theatrical image.
- The dramatic formulation harmonized with the directorial vision in presenting a performative experience and a theatrical form based on symbolism.
- “Journey” offered a philosophical perspective on the actor’s relationship with himself.
The Studio Theater at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center continues to host the experimental performance art production “Journey,” which crowned the “Rehearsal Number One” program, one of the training initiatives launched by the Center during the summer season.
“Journey” presented a theatrical experience imbued with intellectual and aesthetic vision, relying on the philosophy of performance as the foundational pillar of the theatrical work. It was driven by a deep conviction that the actor serves as the central point of reference in crafting the production, and that his creative presence can generate the entire theatrical space, including all its components.
The dramatic formulation aligned with the directorial vision in delivering a performative experience and a symbolic theatrical form, where the journey became a philosophical metaphor for human life’s path, with all its dreams and aspirations, in a state of transition across multiple stations that collectively constitute the journey of existence. This was achieved through a coherent dramatic structure built on a series of sequential theatrical images that expressed the psychological and emotional transformations of the characters, via a sensory and intellectual experience shared simultaneously by the actor and the audience.
“Journey” presented a philosophical view of the actor’s relationship with himself, with the character he embodies, and with the audience that completes the production. In this work, the actor does not merely portray a specific character but rather reveals the human being within him, transforming his emotions and thoughts into living dramatic material that unfolds spontaneously and authentically before the audience. This grants the production a profound human dimension and positions the spectator as a partner in the creation of meaning.
From a directorial standpoint, the production employed a variety of performance styles, including solo, duet, and ensemble acting. It utilized techniques such as ensemble performance (chorus), stage movement, physical expression, recitation, and individual and group singing, within a cohesive performative system that maintained rhythmic and structural unity. This contributed to the formation of sequential theatrical tableaux with visual and sensory depth.
“Journey” established the actor as the sole medium for generating the theatrical image, in an experience belonging to interactive theater. In this context, the direct relationship between the actor and the spectator forms the basis of genuine theatrical action, and the actor’s creative imagination can conjure space, time, and event without the need for supplementary physical elements.
The ensemble performance of the participants emerged as one of the production’s most significant elements. The actors demonstrated a growing awareness of contemporary performance arts, a high level of discipline and harmony, and a clear ability to employ the body, voice, and emotion in service of the central idea.
The production’s narrative begins in an airport waiting lounge, where passengers prepare to embark on their journey, only to receive an announcement that the flight has been canceled due to a major technical malfunction. However, this event served merely as a symbolic entry point into a dramatic and philosophical transformation. The characters return to the stage to affirm that the true journey is not the one that begins by airplane, but the one the artist initiates upon the stage, where dreams are born, attempts are renewed, and the human being continues to seek himself despite setbacks. Here, the ending transforms into a new beginning, conveying a message that creativity knows no cessation, and that the true artist begins anew whenever he believes he has reached the end of the road.
The dramatic writing and direction were handled by the esteemed theater director Abdullah Abdulrasool, who continues, through his extensive career, his artistic project centered on discovering young talent and on the belief that the future of theater begins with rigorous training, and by providing new generations with the opportunity to present their artistic visions within a professional environment capable of producing serious and distinctive theatrical experiences.
