a multi-purpose artistic and community space
Al Balad Theater is a multi-purpose artistic and community space. It was established in 2005 and located in the heart of downtown Amman by renovating an old cinema, which was built in the 1940’s.
The name of Al Balad Theater became an icon in Arab and international scenes, and it brought back the cultural and artistic life to this neglected part of the city turning it into a convivial area for young and old, reclaiming Amman’s natural “City Center” and “downtown” with its markets, cultural life, and people. The space provided thousands of Jordanian residents and numerous visitors from across the region and beyond an opportunity to experience enjoy and create rich cultural and artistic engagements.
In March 2018, Al Balad Theater was issued a court decision to evict the premises upon request from the landlord. Al Balad Theater then relocated to a new space in Jabal Amman, 3rd Circle to the site of the formerly known Philadelphia cinemas. Plans for the rehabilitation of the new premises are underway and the opening of the new location is planned for April 2022.
Since 2005 Al Balad Theater has provided a unique and much needed independent not-for-profit venue for artists to present their cultural projects, mainly in the field of performing arts, as well as a rehearsal space and spaces to perform and showcase their work.
The theater also strives to enhance opportunities for artists in the region, particularly young and aspiring artists, to meet, learn, exchange, create, and perform.
Al Balad Theater also contributes to strengthening the cultural movement in Jordan through encouraging dynamic, creative conversations amongst artists and between artists and their communities/audiences towards recreating vital relationships between art, culture and community at the local, regional and international levels.
The key principles
The key principles that guide the work of Al Balad Theater are to ensure that access to art is for all through reaching out to a diverse audience, regardless of background, social and/or financial status, and/or place of residence; and working to guarantee culture as a human right.
The key principles that guide the work of Al Balad Theatre are to ensure that access to art is for all through reaching out to a diverse audience, regardless of background, social and/or financial status, and/or place of residence; and working to guarantee culture as a human right.
Al Balad Theater is committed to those values through its work at the community level in Amman and through nurturing collaborations across Jordan’s governorates as well as with marginalized communities including Palestinian and Syrian refugees residing in Jordan.
It also fulfills this commitment through offering free or low-cost opportunities to reach the widest range of audience possible.
Al Balad Theatre also works to ensure that its spaces and activities are accessible to people with disabilities.
The work of Al Balad Theatre is also guided by the belief in the necessity of cultural exchange among civilizations, societies & individual to sustain healthy, conscious growth & human responsibility towards arts, humanity, society & world.