The Flag Island Community Programme Dedicates the Next Six Months to the Performing Arts

A huge turnout of people witnessed the inaugural function of The Flag Island’s (TFI) of six-month community development programme that aims to strengthen community ties and encourage creative arts. Sharjah’s favourite open air leisure and tourist destination hosted the launch event of ‘Fualat Al Asr’ at the expansive TFI amphitheatre, featuring a packed itinerary of cultural programmes and interactive activities.

From ice-breaking games and performances to a Q&A session and open mic opportunity with live jam shows, the event was a true treat for the culturally inclined. Alongside introducing Sharjah’s local communities to the host of activities that will be part of this programme, the opening provided a great networking platform to artists, writers, poets, singers and dancers.

The Flag Island Performing Arts Program is a community initiative to introduce performing arts to the community in Sharjah. Organisations and individuals involved in theater will collaborate to roll out the various elements of the programme. Intended to encourage community participation in live performance, the programme will constitute various workshops and activities that will cover five themes five themes – Comedy, Acting, Music, Poetry and Dance – where participants will learn how to construct poetry, learn basic music and swing dance.

“There truly is something for everyone at this innovative six-month programme. The venue is ideal with open spaces and manicured lawns where people of all ages and all level of abilities can take part and enjoy everything on offer,” said Khuloud Al Junaibi, Manager of The Flag Island.

The programme workshops will be held as follows:

Introduction: Improv Comedy
Participants will be given a quick introduction to the rules of Improve which they will then practice using specific warm-up games.

14 October 2017

Age 16+

The Flag Island Amphitheater

5:00-7:00pm

Introduction: Free Flow
With the help of theatrical theory and practice, students will develop critical thinking and creative flow, and train both physically and mentally in the performance aspect.

21 October 2017

The Flag Island Amphitheater

Age 7+

5:00-7:00 pm.

Introduction: Music and Rhyme
Participants will be introduced to the basic concepts of rhythm, harmony and pitch.

28 October 2017

Age 16+

Amphitheater

5:00-7:00pm

Beginning: The Right Tone

Participants will be doing exercises on breathing and improvised singing techniques, as well as basic ‘bel canto’ singing techniques.

4 November 2017

Age 16+

Amphitheater

5:00-7:00pm

Focus and Listen
Students will play more advanced improv games. The focus of these games will be listening and timing aimed to create chemistry between groups.

11 November 2017

Age 16+

Amphitheater

5:00-7:00pm

Adoption of a Story
Students will learn the rules of some of the most well-known improv games, geared towards learning to read the audience, and adapt and manipulate through improv.  

18 November 2017

Age 16+        

Amphitheater

5:00-7:00pm

Frog in the Pond

This workshop will mostly focus on exercising the creative brain through teamwork, listening and exploring different genres of acting.

16 December 2017

Age 7+          

Amphitheater

5:00-7:00pm

Long Form
The classes will now concentrate on long-form comedy. The participants will be given lessons in pacing and character building. We will do a full run through of everything we have learned so far and work on how to build a full show.

13 January 2018

Age 16+        

Amphitheater

5:00-7:00pm

The main focus of the programme is activating the amphitheater space through an approach that connects the community of Sharjah via art, history, and culture mainly through performing arts.

The Flag Island’s community program for the first half of the upcoming year (2018) will be announced at the end of 2017.

Registrations are already open for all workshops in the programme. For more information, check out social media accounts at @TheFlagIsland