The Performing Arts Program of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) commenced today, January 31, its First International Theatre Festival that comprises a week of exciting events and activities.

With the participation of various institutions both from within and outside the UAE - including Michigan State University, Texas Tech University, William Paterson University and Palm Beach Atlantic University, along with several theater companies of international and local artists such as Double Edge Theatre and Department of Theatre - the festival will feature activities, shows, lectures and workshops to promote art and culture in the region.

"This is our first ever international theatre festival and we are hoping to do this every other year," said Anthony Tassa, Head of the Performing Arts Program at AUS. "Our primary goal is to promote theatre activities on campus and throughout the UAE. With many of our students going out and working in the field, we hope this festival will be a great learning experience for the students as we gather artists from around the world and educate our students on the benefits of theatre."

Tassa welcomed 35 foreign participants as well as AUS students to the event and explained the program schedule that runs until February 5, 2017.

Today's program at the festival included lectures entitled "Film Audition Seminar" hosted by Bashar Atiyat, a Jordanian-American film actor and producer; "Theatre as Cultural Identity," presented by Daniel Keegan, Assistant Professor of English at AUS; and an open acting workshop titled "Inner Monologue in Acting," presented by Theatre Director Rob Roznowski from Michigan State University.

Throughout the festival, there will be open and closed activities including seminars, lectures and plays that will require attendees to either walk-in, sign-up or buy tickets. Various events will be held including plays and performances by guest artists who will share their theatrical experience and expertise. Several prominent lectures will take place as well as open acting workshops for AUS students to benefit from, along with playwriting and design events where students will get to showcase their work.

Shows

• Be. Longing, presented by Michigan State University on Thursday, February 2, 7:00 p.m.
• Hiraeth: Theatrical Journeys, produced by the AUS Performing Arts Program on Friday, February 3, 7:00 p.m.
• Virtue Reality, created by the Story-Makers Theatre Company, on Saturday, February 4, 3:15 p.m.

Lectures in CAS Arts Rotunda

• Rise of Women Dramatists in America offered by Sherri Engle from Borough of Manhattan Community College, on Wednesday, February 1, at 1:30 p.m.

Open Acting Workshops

• Don't think, Improvise! hosted by Mina Liccione from Dubomedy on Wednesday, February 1, 11:00 a.m., CAS Arts 104.
• Open Acting Workshop 3 by Carlos Uriona from Double-Edge Theatre Company on Thursday, February 2, 11:00 a.m., in CAS Arts 104.
• Developing Character Through Movement by Story-Makers Theatre Company on Saturday, February 4, 9:30 a.m., in CAS Arts 102.
• Script to Scene to Character to Line Step Down Analysis presented by Bashar Atiyat on Saturday, February 4, 10:00 a.m., in CAS Arts 112.

Playwriting and Design Events

• Design Storm Presentations and Design Storm Responses on Wednesday, February 2, 11:30 a.m., CAS Arts 112.
• 10-Minute Play Readings and 10-Minute Play Responses on Saturday, February 4, 10:45 a.m., CAS Rotunda.