Creating intimate worlds through theater, reckoning with Lebanon's state of play, and paying homage to two of her home country's leading actresses: a conversation with theater maker Chrystèle Khodr. Khodr's play Augurs follows actresses Hanane Hajj Ali and Randa Asmar as they retrace their theatrical journeys from the moment they decide to work in theater in the early 1980s. Using her play as a basis for our conversation, we talk about the Lebanese theater scene at large, erasure of collective memory, and the realities of working in this field from Beirut.
Creating intimate worlds through theater, reckoning with Lebanon's state of play, and paying homage to two of her home country's leading actresses: a conversation with theater maker Chrystèle Khodr. Khodr's play Augurs follows actresses Hanane Hajj Ali and Randa Asmar as they retrace their theatrical journeys from the moment they decide to work in theater in the early 1980s. Using her play as a basis for our conversation, we talk about the Lebanese theater scene at large, erasure of collective memory, and the realities of working in this field from Beirut.
This episode was recorded on September 2, 2024 before the escalated aggression on Lebanon.
0:00 Introduction
1:36 Bringing Augurs to the Arts Center
3:12 Original Vision to Today's Play
12:58 Theater-makers & Lebanon's Theater Scene
19:47 Teaching Theater
22:23 Changing Working Relationships
27:49 Soul of Recent Projects
36:40 Yousef Beidas
40:21 Theater Resources
43:12 Upcoming Performances at NYUAD
Chrystèle Khodr is a theater maker, performer, playwright and director based in Beirut. Her work springs from the emergency to reconstitute the collective memory from personal stories.
Connect with Chrystèle 👉https://www.instagram.com/activecultures/
afikra and The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi join forces to bring you captivating one-hour interviews with an array of talented performers and artists showcasing the rich tapestry of music, theater, drama and poetry. Step into the minds of these visionary creators as they delve into their craft, revealing the inspirations and stories behind their extraordinary performances.
The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi offers NYUAD compelling programming that connects to the curriculum and illuminates the scholarly pursuits of students and faculty. Its range of public programs aim to animate and enrich the cultural life of both the city of Abu Dhabi and the university through interaction. As a vibrant laboratory for performance that both presents and develops work, The Arts Center fosters a dynamic relationship between the arts, scholarship and community.
Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu