As part of the 35th Sharjah Theatre Days, activities of the 14th Sharjah Forum for Arab Theatre Leaders continued yesterday. Tunisian artist Munir al-Arki delivered a lecture titled "Table Reading: From Text to Performance." He highlighted the concept of "table reading" as the foundational stage where the theatrical team gathers around a table to begin studying and dissecting the general features of the script, thereby building the initial relationships between the director and the actors. Al-Arki pointed out the importance of intellectual education as the basis for developing the art of theater, moving away from rigid questions or traditional methods of memorization and rote learning. He explained that the goal of table reading is to explore the roots of the theatrical text and extract its major human benefits, with a focus on understanding what a theatrical work is and why we do it, and whether this activity is an administrative function or a tool for creativity. He noted that his method is not based on giving a complete lesson from start to finish, but rather on dialogue and interactive discussion with participants to find a common understanding of the text, discussing its various stages from the first reading to analysis and finally to practical application, which deepens their perception of the literary and human dimensions of the theatrical work.
