WELCOME TO STAR TOO

About us

Multinational founding members of the STAR TOO arts collective are long-term residents of the U.A.E., some dating back to 1985, witnessing the region’s phenomenal growth and developments in the cultural sector.

To the knowledge of group members and contrary to uninformed viewpoints, a variety of Emirati theatre societies existed decades earlier, but at the time of STAR TOO’s inception in 2010, the expatriate theatre community had not counted avant-gardism as commonplace.

It was after attending Mnouchkine’s workshop on improvisation at Théâtre du Soleil a year prior that group founders returned to the Emirates, determined to build a grass-roots base for laboratory-style theatre and original creation. 

Collaborative creations that are the result of group study and training periods can be typified as abstract, organic and stylistic. 

#sansjurynirécompense

MISSION
  • Interconnect locally-based artists from all disciplines to enrich the cultural landscape
  • Encourage grass-roots initiatives, involving community talent, minimizing commercial pressure
  • Learn about past practices globally and freely explore alternative approaches in a regional context
  • Foster a deeply egalitarian and independent collective spirit
  • Balance individual expression and group work
STYLE
  • Experiment with staging: 360 in the “white majlis” installation box
  • Multimedia: Interaction with projections intrinsic to narrative
  • Physical: choreography using custom parachute and shadow-play
  • Minimalism: inventive use of cloth and specially designed sticks to transform objects or set pieces sustainably
  • Sanctity of space: observing a near-spiritual connection to the playing area
Short video series on multidisciplinary, physical training sessions with a sample of guest, practicing artists in the community + their applications:
Modern
Dance

Capoeira
Authentic Movement
Silk
Dancing
STAR TOO/ACT TOO group has featured at DUCTAC, The Fridge, Traffic Art Gallery, Eastwing Gallery, in Bastakyia Heritage site for Sikka Art Fair, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Dubai Knowledge Park, and Al Serkal Avenue locales.
STAR TOO workshops offered over the years in France and the U.A.E. include Creative Thinking modules, fusion dance, performance and devising courses for adults, acting in Arabic, film appreciation, as well as training for corporate.
STAR TOO is a registered association in Paris, France published in Journal Officiel des Associations et Fondations d‘Entreprise Identification R.N.A. W75217034 . Association administrators: Sol Abiad, Flora Diaz-Hurtado, Sarah Dufayard.
IN THE MEDIA
Blue Jinni Media
Weekend Magazine
Tempo magazine
Khaleej Times
Dubai Eye Radio
Gulf News
The National
The National
In the press March 2016 during Dubai's Art Week in FEMINA Middle East magazine
STAR TOO founder, director

Sol Abiad

STAR TOO founder, director Sol Abiad teaches theatre at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Acting for Adults at various locations in the U.A.E.

Details on: https://solabiad.wordpress.com

« …On n’a pas de pétrole mais on a des idées » – comme notre nom l’indique (tout du moins au plus futé ;), étant donné la où on est, c’est de l’irone pure… Quand le zeitgeist (et non pas, seulement, le lieu, a vrai dire) prime le mélodrame ou l’intérêt, de s’exprimer n’est pas évident. Alors, on esquive avec l’abstrait. A travers les décennies, on verra des fois nos idées reprisent, mieux réalisées avec de plus gros budgets par des commerciaux ou institutions plus musclés, se sentant plus en sécurité pour adapter ou tenir des propos déjà lubrifiés pas des plus petits, des anonymes. Quelque part, c’est tout simplement un microcosme du monde ; pas grand chose a déclarer- sauf que la, un ersatz-Zola se doit de défendre et honorer le courage de ces anonymes, qui eux, ont fait preuve de beaucoup de vaillance, a énoncer plus qu’un « j’achète » complaisant, sans subventions, sans soutien, sans filet, où la chute peut être un peu plus caverneuse. A contre-courant d’une amnésie coloniale systémique, il sont remerciés, jamais oubliés, mais non-plus hautement nommés…;)