Actor and producer Ahmed Al Jasmi expressed his happiness at being named Personality of the Year in Theatre at the first edition of the Performing Arts Festival, which kicked off yesterday and is organized by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. He confirmed in an interview with 'Emirates Today' that this award is like a torch that gives him the motivation to work and carry on, shouldering responsibility towards the youth and participating in their shows and events. He described the state of theatre in the UAE as diverse but in need of continuous support from cultural institutions. Ahmed Al Jasmi said: 'The significance of this award lies in it being presented at a festival aimed at youth, and I see it as a torch that gives a person the impetus to work and strive, to participate with youth in their shows and events, and to bear the responsibility of continuing with them.' He noted that development in the theatrical field comes from continuous work and from mistakes and attempts. As for the production aspect in theatre, Al Jasmi confirmed that the theatres and amateur troupes in the country that receive support from festivals handle it, but the public's relationship with theatre remains limited, and here lies the importance of supporting theatrical production, or even television production, for instance, as it creates stars who can later work in theatre and empower it. From theatre to drama, Al Jasmi pointed out that today's Emirati drama is capable of competing with Gulf drama, but there is a need for continuous production and not being tied to specific seasons. He expressed his optimism, as local media institutions, including Dubai TV, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, are focusing on drama production, specifically on producing seasons, and large sums have been spent on some productions, which enhances the status of drama and indicates that there are bright signs in what has been presented, and what is to come is based on an ambitious plan. He believes that the existence of platforms to showcase drama poses a major challenge for those in the field, and they must present professional works or face being pushed out of the scene. He noted that this has led to a focus on seasons in productions, some of which consist of only eight episodes and have special features in execution, direction, and production. Regarding his production criteria, Al Jasmi noted that first, he starts from the scripts and stories the work presents, especially the latter must consist of a new idea even when addressing eternal issues. Second, the dramatic plot and how the idea is handled in a way that highlights its beauty. He mentioned his inclination towards a youth-oriented approach and modern ideas, many of which have emerged and distinguished themselves. He explained that as a producer, he complains that writers often intervene too much in the text, because when presenting any work, whether from a production or acting standpoint, he always strives to respect the audience. Al Jasmi stressed that there are beautiful ideas, but sometimes they are incomplete and need intervention to be implemented, except for a number of writers who present distinctive texts. He considered that social issues fall within clear lines and can be repetitive, and there is a need to develop the way they are addressed to keep up with the development happening in the country. Star Ahmed Al Jasmi addressed a message to young actors to develop their artistic careers, stressing the need for diligence, because even if an actor starts as a hobby, they must strive to improve themselves through reading, education, and watching. He pointed out that those who act for fame will not achieve the desired result from true art, because art is not easy. He said that if an artist approaches art with sincerity, love, and depth, they will find that their experience is still small. He advised young people to work in theatre because it gives them resilience. He believed that diligence at the beginning of an artistic journey will lead the actor to get many roles later, stressing the importance of not letting pride take over when dealing with acting tools after fame, because theatre devours the actor. Ahmed Al Jasmi: 'There are many important festivals in the country that we are proud of, and we are proud of their diversity. On December 12, the Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival will kick off, and then on the 21st of the same month, the UAE Children's Theatre Festival will start, creating an opportunity for all artists of all ages to present their artistic experiences to enrich the theatrical movement in the country with talents in acting, playwriting, and direction.' Discussing the state of youth theatre, Al Jasmi pointed out that the responsibility on them is great and lies in choosing texts and raising issues that concern them, because theatre must address societal issues. He confirmed that the real crisis in theatre lies in the texts, considering it a crisis that affects theatre in the Arab world in general. He explained that there are important theatrical experiences working to create artistic groups consisting of youth, including directors, writers, and actors, to create a kind of synergy in the work. He believed that theatrical work is not easy, and writing is not a simple task. He added that the responsibility on the theatres in the country is great, but the dreams are bigger, and there are plans for them. He stressed the importance of support and continuity, because having an annual festival is not enough to support the theatrical movement, as the latter is a heavy industry, unlike television or cinema.
