The new batch of the Start Your Dream project has been completed in Fayoum, with a final theatre performance staged by the troupe this week. Start Your Dream in Fayoum is part of the Start Your Dream initiative which originated in Cairo's Youth Theatre and expanded to other governorates. Prior to Fayoum, Start Your Dream was held in Upper Egypt's Assiut. The recent performance, which took place at the Fayoum Cultural Palace, showcased a total of 53 talents who passed the entry exams; 33 men and 19 women. The Fayoum project kicked off six months ago and saw a total of 435 applicants. Though the project is mostly popular among young people, older applicants are also welcome to join. The Fayoum batch included one trainee who is over 60. The evening was attended by theatre director Adel-Hassan, the spearhead behind 'Start Your Dream', Culture Minister Ines Abdel-Dayem, governor of Fayoum Ahmed El-Ansari among other officials. Start Your Dream is an initiative of Cairo's Youth Theatre and its director Adel-Hassan, who for a few years has aimed to help develop the young amateur actors. This is done through providing theatre workshops in theory and acting skills. Among the achievements of the Youth Theatre's acting workshops was the play Beit Al-Ashbah (The Ghost House) performed by young actors in 2019. The play was written and directed by Mahmoud Gamal Hedindi. During the first wave of the pandemic, the initiative was moved to an online platform under the culture ministry's YouTube channel. The viewers were able to attend online workshops that consisted of short lectures covering a variety of theatre issues, aiming at the development of young talents interested in exploring the field. Numerous theatre specialists shared their expertise during the workshop, presenting topics on acting, drama, stage performance, etc. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArtsand on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
