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Jood Bel Mawjood
During my interview with Raffi Feghali, one of the founders of the Lebanese improv-based organization LABAN (Live Lactic Culture), I was internally doing cartwheels at the opportunity. I had seen them– Raffi Feghali, Feeds G. & Abodi Jatal–perform twice last year, once at TEDxBeirut and once at SANAD’s Maz Jobrani, and had since sent them a letter of appreciation to which Feghali informed me they had responded to by mouthing words to each other and crafting their reply by reading each other’s lips. This being one of the creative and original pieces of information I gathered about LABAN before their next performance this upcoming Friday.
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<p> IMAGE: one.jpg<br /> URL:<br /> CAPTION: (Photo via Facebook)</p>
<p> <b>Beirut.com</b>: Tell me a little bit about the background of LABAN: who, what, when?</p>
<p> <b>Feghali</b>: LABAN began in 2009 and is involved in improvisational theatre, which it aims to spread throughout Lebanon and the Arab world via training and performances. LABAN is also geared towards civil society activism through “applied improvisational theatre,” which relies on participants from varying academic and cultural backgrounds. In such a way, its accessible to everyone who is willing and able to practice it and does not limit improv simply to those with past theatrical experience. We currently have 12 active members.</p>
<p> <b>Beirut.com</b>:How often do you provide workshops?</p>
<p> <b>Feghali</b>:We dub them “play-shops,” more entertaining versions of workshops! We offer them twice a year as part of a four-month program that participants attend twice a week. The interested participants continue with ongoing training like in-house training, applied improvisational theatre, playback theatre training, and theatre of the oppressed, among others. Those who later become members and stay with LABAN continue these trainings, as well as training by Tim Orr. </p>
<p> <b>Beirut.com</b>:How often do you perform at events, and how are you approached for them?</p>
<p> <b>Feghali</b>: Event organizers see or hear about us, and then approach us for future events; so far it has created a snowball effect and LABAN has performed live at myriads of shows at an average rate of twice a month, ranging from corporate events to fundraisers.</p>
<p> <b>Beirut.com</b>:Can you describe what happens during your performances, specifically on Friday’s showing?</p>
<p> <b>Feghali</b>:We try to be diverse in the formats of our shows. Short-term format examples include “Imla2 El Faragh” (Fill in the Blanks), in which the performers will ask the audience for one word at the beginning of the performance and continue to perform short scenes related to that word, but the scenes have nothing to do with each other. It creates an amusing and interactive experience between performers and audience and leads to a more intimate show. Another game-based short form format involves yet another interactive show that is an Arabic version of the popular improv show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” There are seasonal long-form formats shows that are performed according to the season. <br /> IMAGE: two.jpg<br /> URL:<br /> CAPTION: (Photo via Facebook) Raffi Feghali, Feeds G. & Abodi Jatal</p>
<p> <b>Beirut.com</b>:How have people responded to it?</p>
<p> <b>Feghali</b>:We’ve received mixed reviews. Those who support the art and what it stands for are very satisfied with LABAN and its means of expression and fun. On the other hand, there are artists and actors who have a difficult time accepting improv as an art form– but we don’t care. We know improv is an art, and that’s what matters.</p>
<p> <b>Beirut.com</b>:What are pros and cons of improv?</p>
<p> <b>Feghali</b>:On one hand, it’s an accessible art form; anyone can do it. It doesn’t require big spaces, specific backgrounds, or a multitude of tools. It helps participants in creating and maintaining relationships and being open to new ideas, approaches, and people. <br /> On the other hand, it is criticized as “un-serious fun” but I always say that I’m very serious about having fun- it’s a serious matter in itself! Another con is that improv is mistaken for stand-up comedy. Though we respect this type of performance greatly, improv is a different thing entirely, the key difference being that improv does not always have to be funny.</p>
<p> <b>Beirut.com</b>:In a place like Lebanon, why do you think this type aspect of acting is important?</p>
<p> <b>Feghali</b>:I believe improv is not just important, but a necessity. It is an art form that started in the late 50s and we didn’t bring it to Lebanon until 2008-9. This is a slap in the face to the claim that Beirut is a center of culture. The skills required for this type of expressive art transform people into more positive individuals with constructive life attitudes, which automatically makes better human beings and agents of change in the community. I truly believe that improv can save Lebanon from all the bullshit it’s going through.<br /> Is there anything I didn’t ask that you’d like to add?</p>
<p> <b>Beirut.com</b>:Yes- a shout out to people to actually go and watch improv! And if you haven’t, come join our improv play-shops! </p>
<p> <b>Feghali</b>:Their upcoming show this Friday, February 27, at AltCity in Hamra promises an engaging and enriching experience for those attending. Tickets are 20,000 LL at the door, and the show begins at 8:30 pm. <br /> For reservations, visit the event’s Facebook page[https://www.facebook.com/events/902168399814939/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming].<br /> Note: the upcoming performance is performed in Arabic.</p>
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