Pakistan (Qasim Ali)
15 Theater Makers from 7 Countries Arrives in Lahore
For the 4th time since 2018, ASSITEJ Pakistan is hosting international theatre workshop in Lahore titled “Next Generation”. The workshop starts from 9th February to 19th February and attended by 16 young theater makers from 7 countries.
The programme is bringing emerging artists together to share, exchange, learn and present. The programme has a showcase of projects and works, discussion sessions, development of collaborative performances and performance showcase.
ASSITEJ Pakistan president Shoaib Iqbal said;” Our Next Generation Theater Residency program offers unique learning and exchange opportunity to Pakistani and International theatre makers. They will live, work and create together for next 10 days that will broaden their horizon and understanding. The participants will also be included in the Next Generation alumni that has an international representation. We aim to promote theater for children and young people in Pakistan through this workshop.”
This year, the mentors of the program includes eminent theater makers and artists such as Asghar Nadeem Syed, Ahmad Bilal, Bina Jawwad, Huma Safdar, Mobeen Ejaz, Aamir Nawaz and Shoaib Iqbal.
The participants comes from Pakistan, Mexico, Finland, Sri Lanka, USA, Iceland and Lithuania. These are professional artists who are working in the field of performing arts and more specifically theater for young audience.
ASSITEJ (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People) unites theatres, organizations and individuals throughout the world who make theatre for children and young people.
ASSITEJ Pakistan – National Centre is a chapter of ASSITEJ International. The organization is a platform for everyone working with or having an interest in performing arts for children and youth. ASSITEJ Pakistan works to spread knowledge of Pakistani performing arts for children and youth by organizing exchange programs, performances, festivals, workshops and seminars.
ASSITEJ Pakistan is a membership based network organisation consisting of The Little Art, MAAS Foundation, Chota Mota Theater and Hursukh. Any individual, organisation, school or group can become ASSITEJ Pakistan member.
Some of the profiles of the international participants includes;
Soila Tahira Shah (Finland)
Soila Tahira Shah has completed 4 years study program and received a professional degree in acting for stage and screen”. She has an efficient practical skill in movement, dance, script writing and acting along with theoretical knowledge.
Raimondas Klezys (Lithuania)
He is graduated in Acting from Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy. He is second bachelor in theatre education from Lithuanian University of educational sciences. He established his own theatre named “No Shoes”.
Helgi Grímur Hermannsson (Iceland)
He is Bachelor of arts in Theatre and Performance making from The Icelandic Academy of Arts and Master in Creative writing from University of Iceland. He is working as director and script writer for different theatre clubs.
Hasith eranda Weththasinghe (Srilanka)
He is currently working as a senior member of Red Apple International Theater Gathering. He has performed in several theatre plays in Srilanka.
Halldora Thoell (Iceland)
She is working as an actor, singer and currently doing working on a two-year MA in Gender Studies. She has studied acting at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in London, did a semester abroad in Chicago and graduated in 2019.
Clara Kundin (USA)
In New York, she performed regularly in several youth theater productions, working as a company member for two theaters for young audiences. Over the course of three years touring NYC public schools, she has performed for several thousands of elementary students.
Alejandro Moreno del Pilar (Mexico)
He is an actor, puppeteer, producer, play writer, and a scenic creator. He has a degree in Theatre and Dramatic Literature of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Sigríður Ásta Olgeirsdóttir (Iceland)
She is working as an actress on stage and in films. She has performed in more than 13 theatre productions and four films. She has worked as artistic director at SySy duet and Flækja Productions.
