Mafraq Youth Theatre
The first project in our youth theatre development programme with Seenaryo in Jordan is underway.
We have 13 participants on the programme aged between 15 and 17 years old, living in Mafraq, 70 km from Amman. Mafraq hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees in Jordan outside Amman. Isolated from the economic opportunities the capital city offers, Mafraq has high unemployment rates and low household incomes - many of the participants have to work outside school to support their families. Mafraq is also a conservative society. Few women work and the average age of marriage is young so we are delighted that of the 13 participants, 6 are young women.
All participants are connected with Seenaryo’s local, partner organisation ‘Sama Al Badea’ which has been working in the community for several years. 6 of the participants have been doing the teamArchie Childrens’ Theatre projects with Seenaryo. The others (7) are brand new to theatre but also went through a workshop/audition style process to select those with the most potential. More than 50 young people had wanted to be involved.
All participants attend local governmental schools, with the Syrian students attending the second shift at local schools (in the afternoons and on Saturdays). Mafraq has limited opportunities for activities and clubs outside school, for many this is the first-time taking part in something like this and for the others – the only other activity they have done is the teamArchie Childrens’ Theatre with Seenaryo.
The young people have created a play about technology turning against humans (Technophobia) which will be performed for the first time on Wednesday (25th January). Below are some of the participants views on the project and their experiences:
Bashir (15 years old, Jordanian young man) & Fatima (16 years old, Syrian young woman)
Bashir & Fatima met each other at teamArchie’s Childrens’ Theatre projects with Seenaryo where they became (and remain!) good friends. Both Bashir and Fatima expressed different reasons they struggle in school and with ‘society’ around them, but both have found friendship, acceptance, confidence and a place to develop their talents, inside the rehearsal room.
“When I started with Seenaryo I still has this fear of not being accepted but I felt that in the theatre space we are equal. The way we started doing the rehearsals made things easier because we do group games and exercises which bring us together. When I heard about the Studio chance there was no doubt I wanted to participate. I’ve got friends now and I feel now that I’m good at acting, I can perform, and I can give ideas and I feel that I have a special skill in this. I am playing the Genie in this play!” (Bashir)
“I don’t know why I was shy about having my photograph taken before. I realised that there is respect between people and Seenaryo respects us (asks if we want our photo taken or not) so I feel happy and relaxed. I come and I go happy from the sessions. I am playing the role of the ‘Gang Leader’ in this play which is totally different to my personality – I never thought I’d play this role but I’m doing it and it makes me happy to know I can do this.” (Fatima)
Mishal & Amer (Syrian young men, 16 years old)
“This was the first time I’m doing a play, before I feared standing in front of people, I had a phobia of it. Now I feel excited, I’m excited to stand and perform. I have more confidence in myself for sure, which helps me in school. We do public speaking in school, before I was shy doing this, I got nervous speaking to the audience, I was afraid I would fall over something and people would laugh at me. I’m really proud of myself, especially once I perform the play, I want to continue doing theatre after this and the whole process feels like a big achievement. I’ve learnt to face my fears, I’ve learnt to face people, in a way that has become natural. I’ve learnt how to act, how to create dialogue, how to build a scene with my friends/the other participants. I like the cooperation between the group. At the beginning we used to be separate, boys and girls staying with each other. And now we’ve become friends, we had to work as a team, so we’ve come together, we’re more like sisters and brothers now. Yes this idea of separation shouldn’t exist in the first place. Cooperation is a good thing. At this age we shouldn’t listen to the traditional ideas that boys and girls can’t work together – this is like a sectarian and divisive thing. At the end of the day we’re all human – boy or girl. Differences shouldn’t be so exaggerated; we should be united. Mishal
“Rather than sitting at home I’ve actually done something and learnt new things. And theatre is something I’ve thought about doing and wanted to do it. Theatre to me is the foundation for TV and films and everything we see on the screen. This my first time doing theatre. I’ve learnt how to work as a team, how to do ensemble work and I’ve learnt that even if someone makes a mistake, we improvise and we help to solve it together. The thing about improvisation in theatre is that is applies to life, if you mess up there are ways to fix it. At the beginning I was nervous, I was worried and a bit embarrassed in case I made a mistake. Now I’m really excited for the show, like 10 out 10 excited. We’ve been training a lot, for 3 months, so anyone who has been trained like this it’s a great thing to see the results, that’s why I’m excited for the show. The thing I like most is the group work with the other participants. Before I really only liked to work by myself. Now I’ve learnt that we’re together, everything will be easier. I’ve also learnt there are no differences between girls and boys, that working together should be normal. Specifically, I’ve learnt to control my feelings. Theatre wouldn’t work if one person did everything and played all the roles, when we’re in a team the others support you, if someone makes a mistake the team steps in.” Amer
