Lights, cameras…fantastic! Alkhobar's new performing arts theater promises fun and drama
Alkhobar: A new performing arts center quietly opened its doors and curtains in Alkhobar this spring. Fantakah is a new space that hosts improv classes, original plays and everything in between, curated by six local people who have dedicated the past few years to honing their crafts and developing a space that can be imagined.
This renovated garage space is the brainchild of founder and chief operating officer Hussain Jaberi. He is joined by Hamad Albdulwahed as CEO, Ali Baokbah as Academy Content Manager, Ahmed Shono as Theater Tech and Operations Manager and Yara Karut as Public Relations and Marketing Manager. Last but not least, Abdulrajak Salamah is the financial and legal manager. This diverse group spans the ages and includes both Saudis and non-nationals.
“I moved to Al Khobar in 2016. Hussein Jaberi was already nearby. I met him during one of the classes I was teaching – I had never reformed at the time,” Baokbah, originally from Jeddah, told Arab News.
Before that, he was studying for a degree in Denver, Colorado, USA. For fun, he decided to explore his creative side and signed up for acting and performance activities.
“I studied computer science, nothing related to art. The thing about engineers and scientists is that … they like to deal with things … I've always wanted a more human-centered activity. I have taken some time to do exactly that through the performing arts,” he said.
In 2017, Baokbah took an improv class with Zaberi. The two became fast friends and one night, while the two were at Baoqba's house, Fantaka was born.
“It was about 2 a.m. and we were both really tired. One of us threw out this idea: 'What if we do our own thing and become an established performing arts organization, not just improv? We love performing arts. You love performing arts.' I love performing arts. We know there's a community out there,” Baokba recalled.
They spent an hour going around random words until they came up with the name “Fantakah”. The name combines two Arabic words – “fan” translates as “art”, while “fajlaka” is a colloquial West Coast term used to refer to pedantic storytellers who are overly detailed and expressive.
Fast forward to 2019, when the two performed at each other's homes and rented spaces. Despite logistical challenges — and being kicked out of co-working spaces for “being too loud” during rehearsals — they finally decided it was time for a dedicated space.
In January 2020, buoyed by the success of performances including opening for legendary comedian Eddie Griffin at the Riyadh Comedy Nights Festival, Baokbah formulated a business plan.
However, then came COVID-19, which brought everything – including the two men's dreams – to a halt.
During the pandemic they used video and online platforms to prepare, perform and connect. Baokba said: “Zoom was probably a blessing in disguise because we found that our content reached people outside the Eastern Province, in Riyadh, in Jeddah, people wanted to collaborate with us – and they did!”
After the lockout, finding a permanent place for Fantakah became a more pressing need. When people began to recognize the name, there was no dedicated place.
Enter Alabdulwahed, step left. While he was a fan of Improv and Fantakah Group, he was not yet a partner.
“This is my hometown, I was born and raised in Sharqiya,” he told Arab News.
He took Zaberry to the Auto Moto Complex, a group of places dedicated to all things motor related. It took some imagination, but Albdulwahed had a vision. He knew it was a bold decision, but they decided to take a chance and do it anyway.
“When we met with the management of Auto Moto, we said, 'We want to build a performing arts center here,' and they were like, 'What, you're building a theater?!'” Albdulwahed said with a laugh.
The process involved extensive consultation and leveraged the six partners' diverse backgrounds in engineering and manufacturing. It was a true labor of love – each of them had a day job and spent every spare moment making plans, designing the space and meeting the necessary official requirements.
Despite many challenges, they completed the renovations within a year and opened the theater in March. The place is scary but also feels like someone's home.
Creative solutions were needed to optimize the multi-purpose rooms and maximize the use of space. Windows were added on the second floor that can be opened for different views, while a bridge to the side is a balcony for live performances. The theater is also versatile for cinematic shoots.
“We write our own plays in Arabic and English,” said Albdulwahed. The team also supports local creatives who want to try their hand at writing, acting and performing, while additional rooms can be rented out to host yoga or ballet classes and other activities.
The night we visited, Fantakah was hosting Swifty's Night, a karaoke experience of old and new Taylor Swift songs. It was hosted by dentist Naif Hassam in the afternoon and musician at night, and co-hosted by veteran local talent, Zamzam. The next night was a typical karaoke show with songs in English and Arabic.
Fantakah also organizes classes, workshops and enrichment programs. There are plans for Arabic plays and National Day programs, among many other sessions.
“Remember, Google started in a garage and we're actually living in a garage,” Albdulwahed joked. “Instead of speeding cars, now it's people and creativity moving forward.”
For more information about the project, check out @Fantakah.Art on Instagram.
