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Draft:Faisal Malik (theater director)

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Faisal Malik
Born
Lahore, Pakistan
Alma materNational Academy of Performing Arts
OrganizationThespianz Theater
Known forSocial Performing Arts
Websitewww.thespianzfoundation.org

Faisal Malik is an American Pakistani Theater Artist and Director based in Chicago Illinois..[1] He is the founder of Thespianz Foundation and Artistic Director of Thespianz Theater. He is considered as a veteran theater director in Pakistan[2] due to his notable social performing arts initiatives to the marginalized communities including Pakistan String Puppetry Festival.

Early Life & Eduation

Faisal Malik was born in Lahore, Pakistan. From a young age, he showed an extreme interest in the arts, particularly theater. He wrote stories for Akhbar-e-Jahan, children’s magazines Naunehal and Bachon ki Dunya as a child. In 2002, he joined TV and began working as a TV producer, programme manager and was soon hosting morning shows. Just three years later, Malik wanted to set up his own theater group and requested Zia Mohiuddin to draft the constitution. After completing his early education in Lahore where he was born, Malik moved to Karachi for his graduation from Government Science College and his Master’s in International Relations from the University of Karachi. In 2008, he acquired his Performing Arts Education from NAPA. He pursued his passion by studying professional theater studies and graduated from National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA). Afterwards he became the fellow of John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through International Visitors Leadership Program IVLP which is a cultural exchange program offered by United States. He has got a global exposure of arts management in various fellowship programs and visited many countries including Germany, Sweden, Italy and India.[3][4]

Professional CareerFaisal Malik is a prominent figure in Pakistan’s performing arts scene, known for his extensive work in theatre, puppetry, and arts management. He is the President and Artistic Director of Thespianz Theater and Thespianz Foundation, organizations dedicated to social theatre and cultural awareness. Malik has directed over 179 theatre plays, 71 dance dramas, and 1276 string puppet performances, reaching audiences in rural and urban areas across Pakistan and internationally. His initiatives, such as mobile classroom project[5] and the Pakistan String Puppetry Festival, focus on social justice, human rights, and cultural education. Malik’s leadership extends to his role as the Country President of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network[6], where he promotes arts and cultural exchange between the two nations. Faisal Malik, the founder and artistic director of Thespianz Foundation, is a pivotal figure in Pakistan’s performing arts scene. His foundation uses theatre and puppetry to address social issues[7], such as financial literacy through the play "Jama Poonji"[8][9], and the dynamics of aging in "Ghabrana Nahi Hai"[10]. Faisal's directed play “Saba – Dreams Matter” campaign[11] highlights the importance of dreams and aspirations. He also directed “American Desi Family,”[12] a comedy play in Chicago in January 2024[13], focusing on the challenges faced by South Asian families in the diaspora. Malik’s efforts also include organizing cultural events like the Karachi Literature Festival[14] and the Folk Festival at Shah Abdul Latif University.[15][16]

Revival of String Puppetry

Faisal Malik is a multifaceted artist and social activist, renowned for his contributions to theatre, puppetry, and social awareness in Pakistan[17]. As the founder and artistic director of Thespianz Theatre, he has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the Thespianz Corona Aid project[18], which provided essential support to pandemic-affected communities. Malik has also conducted acting and theatre workshops in Chicago[19], sharing his expertise with aspiring actors. His work in reviving the ancient art of puppetry has been instrumental in promoting cultural heritage and interfaith harmony[20]. His efforts have been widely recognized, including the inauguration of Pakistan’s longest puppet show.[21][22]

Grand Scale Festivals

Faisal Malik brought many grand scale cultural festivals in the Pakistan's dull arts and cultural scene as he has organized the first String Puppetry Festival in Pakistan in 2016-17, which was the longest of its kind[21]. The second edition, which commenced on January 14 and ran until July 31, was even bigger, with 330 shows in 11 different areas of Karachi[22]. Centered with the cultural promotion he organized Spring Holidays cultural festival at arts council[23] and the biggest Thespianz Folk Festival that has featured 200 folk artists from all over Pakistan representing the Pakistani heritage and cultural values for the sake of spreading peace and harmony[24]. The main objective of the festival is to promote art in all its manifestations and educate people, especially children, through social messages[25]

References

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  1. ^ "The truth International". The Truth International. 18 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Instep Today". The News.
  3. ^ Nabil (2023-02-05). "Where puppets talk and people listen | The Express Tribune". tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  4. ^ "Faisal Malik | Dara.network". dara.network. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  5. ^ Sheikh, Irfan (2011-09-30). "The Flying Classroom: Akhtar Colony only part of town that agrees to German school bus". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  6. ^ "PUAN". PUAN country President Welcome.
  7. ^ "Pakistan String Puppetry Festival brings message of tolerance, harmony to Karachi".
  8. ^ Irfan, Muhammad (2016-10-02). "Theatre play "Jama Poonji" enthralls audience at PACC". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  9. ^ Pakistan, Cliff (2016-09-30). "Thespianz Theater Presents A Humorous Urdu Theater Play "Jama Poo..nji"". Cliff Pakistan News. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  10. ^ Mahmood, Javed (2021-11-22). "'Ghabrana Nahi hai' Play Review: the dilemma of aging". The Truth International. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  11. ^ "Saba Dreams Matter".
  12. ^ "American Desi Family: A Comical Urdu/Hindi Play". South Asia Institute. 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  13. ^ Mahmood, Javed (2023-12-18). "Thespianz Foundation is performing "American Desi Family" Theatre Play in Chicago in January 2024". The Truth International. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  14. ^ NewsBytes. "10th edition of Karachi Literature Festival commences today". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  15. ^ "Thespianz to host Folk Festival at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur from 19th September". Biz Today. 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  16. ^ "Thespianz Foundation eyes US donors to promote performing arts in Pakistan".
  17. ^ "faisal malik Archives". Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  18. ^ Editor, Puan (2020-06-05). "'Thespianz Corona Aid' Becomes Helping Hand for Hundreds of Pandemic Affectees". Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network. Retrieved 2024-10-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "New CAN". www.chicagoasiannetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  20. ^ Desk, Entertainment (2014-09-26). "Thespianz Theater brings string puppetry to PACC". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-10-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. ^ a b aftab.khan (2019-02-10). "Thespianz Theatre inaugurates Pakistan's longest puppet show". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  22. ^ a b Salman, Peerzada (2019-02-09). "330 puppet shows will take place in the Pakistan String Puppetry Festival". Images. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  23. ^ our.correspondent (2015-02-04). "Celebrating basant: Arts Council to host spring holidays festival". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-10-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  24. ^ Staff, Images (2019-08-03). "Thespianz Folk Festival will be celebrating all things sufi in Khairpur". Images. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  25. ^ "The spianz Sufi Folk Festival 2019 to be hosted by Shah Abdul Latif University". Daily Times. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2024-10-09.