Debate at Sharjah Theatre Days stage acting

The session, attended by Ahmed Bourhima, the festival's director, united Emirati actor and director Ibrahim Salem with Tunisian academic and theatre practitioner Hammadi Al Wahaibi. Egyptian media presenter Iman Montaser moderated the discussion, which examined how actors develop from novice to seasoned performers.

First steps on stage

Salem, the first to speak, expressed that the title resonated deeply with him, evoking memories from his childhood. He recalled that acting began as a simple curiosity shared with other children in the neighbourhood—a desire to step into someone else’s shoes. He mentioned a neighbour with a beautiful voice that he tried to copy. He noted that this initial desire served as the catalyst that drew him to theatre.

For Salem, acting is something innate in everyone to some extent, but it only becomes meaningful through practice and experience. He also recalled his early years in school theatre, under the guidance of the late Sudanese artist Yahya Al Haj Ibrahim.

He described acting as a journey of self-discovery, adding that people who combine curiosity, persistence, and presence on stage can leave an indelible mark. While natural, instinctive performance has its strengths, he noted, it also presents challenges. Experience, on the other hand, does not automatically guarantee success in every role.

Finding the balance

Al Wahaibi considered the question more reflectively. He wondered aloud whether training alone can truly make an actor convincing if that natural spark simply isn’t present. No matter how strong the academic background, he implied, it can only carry a performer so far.

At the same time, he was quick to emphasise that instinct alone doesn’t guarantee a performance. In his view, what truly matters is how an actor combines the two — the natural ease of expression with the discipline and awareness that come with experience. That, he said, is what gives a performance its significance.

He discussed the significance of theatre workshops, emphasising that they are spaces where actors can experiment, make mistakes, and gradually improve their skills. He also highlighted the importance of the director, not only in shaping the production but also in helping actors become comfortable on stage.

He concluded on a more reflective note, recalling a question often associated with Socrates – what truly attracts an audience? For Al Wahaibi, it’s not something that can be solely reduced to technique.

Voices from the floor

The discussion was enriched by contributions from several notable individuals present, including Samih Mahran, Kuwaiti actor Jassim Al Nabhan, and Tunisian artist Munir Al Ai'rqi, among others.

The evening concluded with Bourhima thanking the speakers and participants for what he described as a thoughtful and engaging exchange before presenting them with certificates of appreciation.