Over the last few months I have been working with the Theatre and Performing Arts Commission in the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture to develop training programmes in Musical Theatre for aspiring professional performers. This is one of three talent development and trans-national programmes CGO is working on for the summer. We have another UK/Arabic programme for designers and a UK/Korean programme for producers.
This blog is written to ask for your help. Each person who reads my blog has a wealth of connections that I don’t have. You are part of an amazing spider’s web of knowledge which might, just might, help me connect with the individuals I need to find at the moment.
Our UK creative team for the Saudi project are Musical Theatre specialists and highly skilled in bringing out the best in a group of aspiring artists. They have worked all over the UK and all over the world. This is all of our first times working in Saudi Arabia, and for many of us a first time working in the MENA Arts community. We are looking for some bilingual creative bridgemakers to work with us.
We are looking for 3 Musical Directors or repetiteur/singing tutors who are bi-lingual English and Arabic. Probably trained in UK and embedded in the Musical Theatre or theatre scene in the UK, but they have a rooted heritage or a deep love for the Arabic world.
We are looking also for 3 Choreographers or dance captains/movement tutors who are also bi-lingual English and Arabic. Once again a love and knowledge of Musical Theatre is important, along with a thirst to explore how two cultures can duet together.
Whilst we are aware that ‘Arabic’ is a whole tribe of languages not always understood between countries, we believe we can create a rehearsal studio where there is deeper creative understanding if we can work with lead practitioners who, between them, can communicate without formal interpreters.
The projects happen Sept/October and we are reaching out to MENA Arts, to networks of Musical Theatre MDs, asking for the help of music and dance colleges and alumni groups to spread the word, and asking your help to see who you might pass this blog post on to.
Of our team of 11 creatives already gathered we have 4 UK/Arabic speakers. We have more vacancies to fill for this very special Introductory programme in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.
Thank you for any help you can give in spreading the word. There’s a little more information here, or just email me chris [at] chrisgrady [dot] org
Chris 2nd June 2022