Organised by the Department of Culture, the annual training programme is designed to equip aspiring theatre practitioners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to develop and produce short theatrical performances, while supporting the continued growth of theatre in Sharjah's Eastern Region.

Comprehensive theatre training programme

Held in preparation for the Kalba Short Plays Festival, the workshop features specialised training in scenography, directing, and acting. Participants will also attend lectures covering these disciplines, alongside presentations and readings on the history of world theatre.

The programme opens at 5:00 pm with a scenography workshop led by renowned Iraqi scenographer Dr Ali Al-Sudani. Over ten days, participants will explore both theoretical and practical aspects of stage design, including lighting, acoustics, theatrical text analysis, and the creation of visual stage concepts using movement, colour, space, and composition. The sessions also focus on developing innovative production solutions using available materials and cost-effective techniques.

Led by distinguished theatre experts

Dr Ali Al-Sudani is one of the Arab world's leading scenographers, having designed more than 55 theatrical productions across the region and internationally, while supervising lighting design for over 80 plays. He has received numerous awards from prestigious festivals, including the Carthage Theatre Days, Jordan Theatre Festival, and Baghdad Theatre Festival. His published works include The Lighting System and the Change of Space in Theatrical Performance (2017) and The Aesthetics of Digital Spectacle in Contemporary Theatre Performances (2022).

The workshop programme will continue with a lecture by Emirati director Abdulrahman Al Mulla on August 3, focusing on his experience with scenography. An acting workshop led by Egyptian artist Essam El Sayed will follow on August 4, while Emirati actor Abdullah Masoud will present a lecture titled My Acting Experience on August 14. The final phase includes a directing workshop led by Egyptian director Dr Gamal Yaqout, followed by Emirati director Mohammed Al Ameri's lecture, My Directing Experience, on August 25.

Supporting emerging theatre talent

First launched in 2012, the Elements of Theatrical Performance Workshop has become an annual platform for nurturing emerging theatre talent as part of preparations for the Kalba Short Plays Festival. Participation remains open to all theatre enthusiasts interested in developing their artistic and technical skills.