Maryam Kazemi on working with children and young Adults

Maryam Kazemi directs the show "The Epic of Arash Kamangir", which is the story of one of Iran's legendary heroes, in the main hall of Tehran Theater Complex.

Maryam Kazami tells Iran Theater about her new directing experience and working for  children and young adult.

 

How effective can dealing with folklore stories and legends be in familiarizing children and teenagers with Iranian culture and literature?

Theater has great power in attracting the attention of the audience to enjoy, be entertained and pay attention to the story. Therefore, it can make an important contribution to remembering, focusing, paying attention and referring to what is being displayed. There is honor that we have rich and pure literature but it is not enough to encourage the audience, especially children and young adult to read and learn. The elders, who are yesterday children, have been brought up and raised in the same way.

 

Therefore, adult theater does not necessarily have a greater focus and a better understanding of children and teenagers.

We all live in the same society and breathe in the same atmosphere. The number of adults who spend their time playing computer games is not less than children and teenagers.

 

We must not forget that the aspects of entertainment and attractiveness are so important in today's world that the main factor is the tendency of everyone to play games, theater, cinema, or sports;

 

Therefore, I think that attractive, entertaining and purposeful theater can have a share in this market and introduce children, teenagers and adults to Iranian culture and customs.

We always believe that the show is one of the most important elements of culture and indirect education for children and teenagers. Therefore, how effective is the presence and benefit of children and teenagers in the theater as actors and production team in increasing their culture and social interactions?

- I ‘ve already had the experience of working with child and young adults actors and students in adult shows, the most important example of which is the show "The Miser" which was performed in 2019 in Tehran Theater Complex. Now, in "The Epic of Arash Kamangir", which is a special show for adults, I have made another experience in this field.

 

The childern and adolescent students in the group and their association with adult artists has several advantages for them. They see themselves as members of a large group.

 

Little by little, they understand that it is their efforts that are seen, not the advice of parents. They understand that teamwork is formed from the efforts of each person and that the interests of the group are important, not them and their family, and my main goal is to help them pass an inevitable path.

How do you manage the challenge of working with and directing actors of the age group of children and teenagers?

- You have to cross the street; healthier you are, it’s the better. It is necessary to socialize; The healthier it’s better for you. You must go to school; The more diligent is better for you and you must finish the work; The more responsible is  better for you. Whether we want it or not; we grow up, and soon we will reach the stage of choices and decisions, are we ready?

I would like to say that for me, working hard with children and teenagers and coordinating them is not a job but a duty. I want to be with them through the work that I love and believe in. It is very difficult to work especially when there are so many that sometimes I lose them on stage.