The city of Dammam is witnessing a remarkable cultural and artistic movement with the ongoing Monodrama Festival, organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Authority in cooperation with the Culture and Arts Association. The association's halls and the Kawalis Theater have seen a significant increase in the level of competition among the participating groups, reflecting the development of the theatrical scene in the Eastern Province and the Kingdom as a whole.
The events included a diverse and profound selection of theatrical performances, most notably "Deek," "Refrigerator Embryos," and "Moon." The festival wasn't limited to performances alone; it also featured workshops that sparked in-depth critical discussions about dramatic structure and actors' performances, lending an academic and intellectual dimension to the event.
In the context of enriching the knowledge content, a specialized training workshop entitled “Performance Techniques in Monodrama” was presented, which focused mainly on the practical aspect of developing the actor’s tools, starting from voice and pronunciation exercises, up to the mechanisms of activating the imagination and employing the body in the theatrical space, which is a fundamental pillar in the art of monodrama, which depends on the single actor.
Monodrama (one-person theater) holds a special place in the history of theater, as it is considered one of the most challenging performing arts, demanding exceptional abilities from the actor to control the stage and hold the audience's attention throughout the performance without relying on dialogue with other characters. This festival aims to strengthen the presence of this demanding theatrical genre in the Saudi cultural landscape, providing a platform for experimentation and innovation.
For his part, Youssef Al-Khamis, Director of the Culture and Arts Association in Al-Ahsa Governorate, emphasized the strategic importance of such theatrical festivals. He pointed to their pivotal role in honing young talents and developing their abilities in all areas of theatrical performance. Al-Khamis noted the value of this artistic gathering, which creates a bridge of communication between the pioneering generation and young artists, considering this intellectual and artistic exchange a true source of experience and an effective means of acquiring professional skills.
This event comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is experiencing a comprehensive cultural renaissance as part of Vision 2030, where the performing arts play a vital role in enhancing quality of life and cultural expression. The Eastern Province, and Dammam in particular, is a historical hub for Saudi theater, with its theater groups having contributed for decades to nurturing generations of artists and creative talents who have enriched the Gulf and Arab art scene.
