ATA launches course to boost amateur youth theatre

July 06, 2025 / 3:14 PM

Sharjah24: Following a cooperation agreement between the Arab Theatre Authority (ATA) and Jordan’s Ministry of Culture, the Jordanian capital Amman has launched a training course for the core team tasked with activating amateur youth theatre across the country. The course, running from 5 to 10 July 2025, is led by Palestinian artist Saeed Salama and Jordanian artist Zaid Khalil Mustafa.

Seventeen directors to be trained in nationwide theatre development

Seventeen aspiring directors are receiving specialised training in this first step of a wider plan to organise further courses across Jordan’s governorates. The goal is to nurture young talents, empower them artistically and culturally, and develop their skills scientifically to raise artistic and theatrical awareness.

Encouraging amateur theatre groups and festival revival

By supporting these talents, the project aims to encourage the formation of amateur theatre groups under the supervision of cultural departments in various regions. This will culminate in the revival of the long-paused Amateur Theatre Festival, providing a platform for fair and motivating competition among participants from all governorates.

Strategic partnership to build a regional model

The agreement, signed in Amman in May 2025 by Jordan’s Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh and Arab Theatre Authority Secretary-General Ismail Abdullah, represents a strategic initiative to develop amateur youth theatre in Jordan as a model that could be adopted in other Arab countries.

Building the future of Jordanian theatre through research and education

Ismail Abdullah emphasised that the Arab Theatre Authority plays a vital role in developing Arab drama and theatre, promoting theatrical texts and research, and invigorating the theatrical scene across the Arab world. The project focuses on scientifically developing the amateur theatre sector, which forms the vital resource for the future of Jordanian theatre.

Optimism for an inspiring theatre season ahead

Abdullah added that a detailed training programme has been designed in collaboration with expert trainers to ensure a rich and inspiring season for amateur youth theatre in Jordan, expressing full confidence in the initiative’s success.

Support from key cultural figures at the launch

The course opening was attended by playwright Huzaa Al-Barari, member of the Arab Theatre Authority’s Board of Trustees, Abdul Karim Al-Jarrah, Director of the Theatre and Arts Directorate, and members of the Jordanian Theatre Season Committee 2025, representing the Ministry of Culture on the project’s executive committee.