Research on Iranian theater is weak

The General Directorate of Dramatic Arts Center organizes the first Iranian Theater Year Research Award with the aim of identifying, strengthening and introducing theater research, especially applied research, in December at the same time as Research Week.

 

 So we talked to Nasser Habibian, the author and researcher of the 26-volume collection "Comprehensive Culture of Iran's Theaters”.

 

Habibian expressed his happiness of holding such events. He believes that holding the first event of the Iranian Theater Year Research Award is promising; He believed that if there is no research, the theater will not progress.  He said that Research in the current situation of Iranian theater is weak and action should be taken.

 

He emphasized: "Applied researches are very rarely done in Iran, and maybe holding this event can improve the empty space of this form of research." For example, we don't even know what other spaces, apart from public and private theaters, facilitate the performance process for theater groups and audiences. We do not know the number of seats in Iranian theaters or even the number of seats in Tehran halls. we don't know how many theatergoers there are in the capital and other cities per month and year.".

 

He explained: "The current conditions of the Iranian theater organization are as if the Iranian theater is only the Tehran shows. During all these years, we still do not have detailed information about the theaters of the provinces and other cities. Applied research helps to solve these shortcomings. It is only possible to make cultural and artistic policies based on the collection of these documents and evidence. Fortunately, some work has been done. I do not look at this pessimistically or complaining, but it is necessary to solve these shortcomings.”

About descriptive research, Habibian said: "In the descriptive research, we don't even have detailed information about the names, information, and quality of the shows during the revolutionary period, i.e. from 1979 to 1983 and next years. Of course, I know that during these years, with group and individual efforts, good research was done and it was successful."

 

Habibian emphasized the need to create a space for research: "Theatre researchers need space and peace of mind for their work. While no space is provided to them. It is natural that you cannot create a researcher from nothing. The percentage of self-sacrifice of active people in this field is not fruitful.”