Theater Activities at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Arts Center (2015–2016)
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The BA Arts Center hosts, supports, and produces theatrical performances and organizes festivals, conferences, and theater workshops. This year (July 2015–June 2016), it presented 61 different performances spanning over 69 nights, including theatrical performances, storytelling, contemporary dance, folk dance, and stand-up comedy, with a collective audience of 27,000 persons (an over 50% increase in last year’s figures).
The Arts Center organized the Second Alexandria International Festival for Contemporary Theater (5–10 April 2016) under the aegis of the Egyptian Tourism Authority and in cooperation with the Embassy of Poland, Goethe-Institut, the Jesuits Cultural Center in Alexandria, ElMadina for Preforming and Digital Arts, and Rézodanse Center. This year, 120 theatrical performers from 13 different countries took part in the festival, which included 11 performances and was attended by over 3,300 audience members.
The Arts Center also organized the 13th Summer Festival—which encompassed theater, music, and cinema. It also supports international festivals, such as the Backstreet Festival (October 2015) and Theater is a Must Forum (March 2016).
The Center granted the “Theater Production Grant” to three directors, producing three performances that were attended by over 6,400 people over the span of seven nights. It also announced the launch of the Premiere Project, which offers theatrical production opportunities for youths.
The Center supported many theater directors and troupes interested in presenting their projects on the BA stages, in addition to performances that were awarded production grants or support from other institutions by providing them with equipped stages. It also continued its collaboration efforts with Alexandrian theater directors and troupes, contributing to their growth, development, and continuity and helping them build an audience.
As part of a training and development program, the Arts Center organized five theater workshops specializing in black theater, paper theater, theater lighting, multimedia, and contemporary dance for amateurs and professionals.
Participating in the BA Arts Center Theater Activities:
To apply for the BA Theater Production Grant (deadline Wednesday, 20 July 2016) and view its guidelines, click here.
To apply for the Premiere Project (deadline Wednesday, 20 July 2016) and view its guidelines, click here.
To participate in the Alexandria International Festival for Contemporary Theater and view its guidelines, click here. Application deadline is Wednesday, 31 August 2016.
To learn more about Theater Training and Development at the BA Arts Center and how to participate, click here.
Theater directors and troupes interested in presenting their performances on the BA stages, kindly contact Saeed Kabeel, Theater Program Coordinator at the BA Arts Center, via e-mail: saeed.kabeel@bibalex.org.