“Beyond Stage Mastery” project is developed with an idea to tackle the issue of the position of theatre technicians in the sphere of light and sound design and video operations in Albania, Kosovo and Serbia.
Aiming to contribute to the better representation of the Western Balkans theatre in the European context, this project strives to increase the quality of theatre production in Albania, Kosovo and Serbia through building capacities of theatre technicians whose position is underappreciated in the region.
After obtaining nonformal education through master classes in light and sound design and video operations, these young technicians are now capacitated and motivated to get involved with theatre, rather than other more profitable cultural/creative industries and contribute to the higher quality productions of local theatres.
This project directly targets 27 theatre technicians from three targeted countries (nine technicians for light design, nine technicians for sound design and nine technicians for video operations applied in theatre). These direct beneficiaries were provided with the opportunity to attend a masterclass in one of the fields of their work (light and sound design and video operations) delivered by the European experts where they gained a non-formal education which improved their practical skills.
“The Lighting Design Masterclass with Luigi Biondi was transformative,” shared Ammar Havziji. “We learned to channel the power of lighting to create mood and emotion, and these skills have been game-changers in my recent work with international actors. The blend of expertise and hospitality made this an unforgettable experience.”
“The Video Operation in Theatre Masterclass broadened my perspective,” noted Belkisa Zhelegu. “It provided theoretical and practical insights, from pre-production to post-production, and fostered invaluable collaboration with peers across the Western Balkans.”
The sustainability component of this project is in the creation of the manuals for nonformal teaching about sound and light design and video operations which was drafted after each masterclass, allowing for the methodology used in this project to be replicated in the future by theatres and cultural and artistic organizations across the Western Balkans region and wider.
Implementing partners of the “Beyond Stage Mastery” project: Heartefact Fund (SER) and Center of Visual Arts Multimedia (KOS).
Beyond Stage Mastery is supported by the British Council through “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” project funded by the European Union. CC4WBs aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.