As part of the support provided by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication – culture sector – to the theatrical domiciliation of the Orchid troupe at the Béni Mellal Cultural Center for the 2024 season, the scenographer El Houcine Elhaoufi hosted, Thursday, November 14, 2024, a workshop on scenography entitled “Scenography: history, Art, creativity and technique”.
This workshop allowed us to explore several essential elements relating to the evolution of scenography, from the Greek era to the present day. “The scenography workshop that I led as part of the theatrical domiciliation of the Orchid troupe focused on the presentation of scenography throughout history, from Greek and ancient theater to the present day, as well as the role of the scenographer in his collaboration with the author and the director, and his interaction with the theatrical text. The workshop achieved the expected objectives. Participants were able to discover the different stages of scenographic work, going from the initial idea to design, to production and to the presentation of the show. The workshop also addressed the definition of stage spaces, whether it is the architecture of the theatrical building or the dramatic spaces resulting from theatrical texts…” El Houcine Elhaoufi told ALM.
“This workshop is very interesting as scenography is a key discipline in the art of directing and theater. Mr. Elhaoufi addressed this pillar of artistic creation throughout history, from ancient theater (Greco-Roman era) to the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque, modern and contemporary period… Scenography is a true artistic language…”, underlined a participant in this workshop.
According to another participant, “the trainer also presented the roles and responsibilities of the scenographer, as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to exercise this profession. The workshop explored the interactions of the scenographer with other actors in the theatrical creative process, from writing the text to staging, in collaboration with the director, actors, technicians and other members of the the team”.
This first session, he added, favored a theoretical and informative approach, while the second session, announced later, will be devoted to practical exercises. The participants expressed their satisfaction and enthusiasm at the idea of continuing this learning.
El Houcine Elhaoufi, scenographer and currently director of the Béni Mellal Cultural Center, is a graduate of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art and Cultural Animation of Rabat (class of 1997). He is also a visual artist, holding a bachelor’s degree in visual arts obtained at Al-Limoun high school in Rabat in 1991. His professional career includes numerous collaborations in theatrical productions broadcast by the Al Oula and 2M channels, as well as television works. and cinematographic films such as the series Jenan Al Karma directed by Farida Bourquia, the films Al-Makroum, Route vers Marrakech by Daoud Oulad Sayed, Bizdaz by Abbas Faraj, and many others.
