Written by: Hurmat Majid
Posted on: August 21, 2024 | 
Actors performing in the play 'The Police'
In a country where theatre is often overlooked or confined to comedic stage shows, the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi has taken a bold step to reshape the landscape of Pakistani theatre. With the establishment of the Blackbox Theatre. The council aims to provide a fertile ground for young directors and actors to experiment, learn and eventually showcase their talents on bigger platforms.
Traditional Pakistani theatre has long struggled to find its place in the cultural fabric of the country. Many Pakistanis have never experienced a live theatre performance, and those who have often associate it with the comedic "stage shows" that dominate the scene during festive occasions like Eid. These productions, though popular, cater to a specific audience and fail to represent the rich diversity and potential of Pakistani theatre. On the other hand, the few who have witnessed the brilliance of Zia Mohyeddin or Talat Hussain's serious theatrical works, lament the scarcity of such quality performances. In essence, theatre in Pakistan has not been perceived as flourishing or a widely accessible art form.
Actors performing in the play 'Park'
Recognizing this gap, the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi launched a 30-day Pakistan Theatre Festival in 2023. This international-level event featured 7 international and 27 national theatre troupes, performing every night for a month. While the festival successfully reintroduced audiences to quality theatre and received an overwhelmingly positive response, it highlighted a significant omission: the absence of young, emerging theatre directors. The festival predominantly featured established practitioners, leaving little room for new talent to shine and hone their craft.
In response to this gap, the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, in collaboration with their newly renamed School of Visual and Performing Arts, established the Blackbox Theatre. Khalid Ahmed, the Head of the Theatre Department, described Blackbox as "an intimate space where young theatre artists can showcase their talent as theatre practitioners." This new initiative is designed to serve as a training ground for aspiring theatre directors and actors, providing them with the resources and platform they need to develop their skills.
An actor performing in 'Madam Kaun'
Rahil Siddiqui, who heads the Blackbox Theatre project for the Arts Council, elaborated on the vision behind this initiative. "I see it as the ultimate tool for students or graduates of theatre to use in creating their own plays," Siddiqui explained. "Young people who have studied the craft have nowhere to practice and polish their craft to the level that they can become proper practitioners of theatre, so the vision behind Blackbox is to give them that space."
A still from 'The Police'
Siddiqui's approach is both practical and inspiring. "The unique thing about my appointment is that the student body itself chose me to lead Blackbox. As their chosen leader, my job is simple: to judge the proposals they bring to me and to see if they have it in them to take a chance with the very real possibility that they might fail," he said. "What I'm looking for in a theatre practitioner is simple: someone who is ready to fail time and again in order to win eventually and get to that point where they can showcase their productions with its seasoned practitioners."
Blackbox Theatre is more than just a performance space; it is an educational hub. Siddiqui emphasizes the importance of understanding the "why" behind the desire to do theatre. "Whenever someone comes to me with a verbal proposal, my first question is 'theatre kyun kerna hai?' (Why do you want to do theatre?) Their answer determines if they would be given the Blackbox space," he said. He then teaches them how to create a theatre proposal, what variables to consider and how to present their case effectively.
A still from 'Madam Kaun'
The Blackbox Theatre itself is an open studio space that serves as a blank canvas for small theatre productions. The Arts Council provides basic stage props, lighting, and rehearsal space, allowing young artists to bring their creative visions to life. "The money that comes in through ticket sales goes back to the production; Arts Council keeps no share," Siddiqui noted, adding that this arrangement exists for young graduates and students. For established practitioners, a profit-sharing system is in place, although the primary goal remains to support and nurture new talent, rather than generate revenue.
Since its inception, the Blackbox Theatre has already breathed life into several amateur theatre productions, including "Park", "Madam Kaun?", and "The Police". Looking ahead, it is set to partner with Meher Jaffri's Bodhi Works, to bring "The White Plague" to young audiences. With minimal ticket prices and an intimate theatre experience, Blackbox aims not only to advance the practice of theatre but also to attract younger and a more diverse audience.
Actors on stage in the play 'Park'
The establishment of the Blackbox Theatre by the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Pakistani theatre. By providing a dedicated space for young directors and actors to experiment and grow, the council is fostering a new generation of theatre practitioners. This initiative not only enhances the cultural landscape but also ensures that the rich tradition of Pakistani theatre continues to thrive and inspire future audiences. As Blackbox Theatre continues to support emerging talent and innovative productions, it is poised to become a cornerstone of artistic development in Pakistan, paving the way for a vibrant and dynamic theatre community.
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