The PAC aims to serve as a national resource and a regional model for incorporating the performing arts in all levels of education and social development thus making culture and art accessible to all. The centre provides a working environment conductive to creativity, leadership and innovation and supports cross cultural understanding and cooperation through theatre and dance co-productions and collaborations.
The centre has brought theatre and dance into the lives of countless Jordanians by providing professional training for children & youth in theatre & dance on a regular basis accredited by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, the Jordanian Ministry of Education and The Royal Academy of Dance in Britain.
The innovative drama, theatre and dance programs that PAC offers for a variety of school settings, helps students develop their talents in the performing arts field and explore issues related to a better quality of life. These programs also offer students the opportunity to express their needs and aspirations freely and creatively.
Numerous rewards and acknowledgements have been awarded to the PAC to honour its achievements and the excellent work that it is achieving in the area of the performing arts. Local awards include Al Hussein Medal for Distinction of the First Order for distinguished achievement in the field of theatre in 2000 , Best Jordanian Folklore Troupe Award from the Ministry of Culture in 2007 in addition to various honours from the Ministry of Culture and the Greater Amman Municipality for unique cultural & educational services and distinguished programs offered to children in Jordan.
PAC has also received several regional & international awards for its activities, including The Cairo International Radio & Television Festival Silver Award for the musical «Madinat Assawsana» in 1997 , The UAE Higher Council Award for distinguished programs and services offered to children in the Arab World In 1997; the «Grozdanin Kikot” award for the contribution to the development of drama education from the Mostar Youth Theatre, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2000 and The Wolf Trap Foundation Outstanding Performance Award for the folklore drama «Crescent Night» in Washington, USA in 1993 The National Center for Culture & Performing Arts comprises of the following departments:
Theater Department
The National Interactive Theater Troupe PAC houses a permanent professional touring Interactive Theater Troupe which was established in 1989 & is the first of its kind in Jordan. The troupe is pioneer in producing plays that deal with contemporary social issues related to socio-economic development utilizing a unique theater methodology which engages the audience directly in the action through their active interaction with the actors in role within the drama. The troupe performs locally, regionally & internationally and tours to remote rural areas to ensure its outreach to grass root communities.
Theater Arts School
Established in 1997 and provides professional training for children and youth in acting & directing, improvisation, creative writing, mime , creative movement ,voice & speech , puppetry & theater design implementing the curriculum of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC & accredited by the Ministry of Education in Jordan.
Dance Department
The Dance Theater Troupe PAC established the Dance Theater Troupe in 1996, the only troupe of its kind in Jordan. The troupe comprises of 20 members who are professionally trained in classical ballet, jazz & contemporary dance techniques in addition to traditional Jordanian folk dance. The troupe performs extensively locally and internationally combining the traditional Jordanian culture & heritage within a modern and professional context that embodies the spirit of history & modernity.
The Dance School
Established in 1996 & provides professional training in all forms of dance; ballet, contemporary and folklore and is accredited by the Royal Academy of Dance, Great Britain. Students of the dance department present The Royal Academy of Dance examinations annually in addition to receiving training in contemporary dance based on the Limon technique.
Production Department
TV Productions
The PAC produces television programs and documentaries for international and local organizations on issues tackling the environment, reproductive health, human rights and democracy, arts in education, income generating projects for rural women and illiteracy in addition to short television documentaries and television spots for awareness campaigns.
To date, the centre has produced a number of major television productions, including a variety show and social comedy on human rights and democracy, which combined drama scenes with songs and dance. The centre has also produced programs in cooperation with Jordan Television, addressing topics such as road safety, the arts in education, drama documentaries and others.
Cultural Exchange Programs
PAC has established a wide network with various regional & international organizations and is actively engaged in promoting cross cultural understanding through conducting comprehensive cultural exchange programs & co-productions in theater & dance such as the groundbreaking collaboration « Walking the Winds: Arabian Tales» a musical play which was co-produced by PAC and the John F. Kennedy Center and was premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in 2006. “Opera Abu Hassan” produced in cooperation with the French Embassy in Jordan & performed in Amman & Jerash. “Fusion” a Jordanian Finnish Choreographic interchanges co-produced by PAC & The Finnish Mime Center and performed in Jordan, Syria & The United Arab Emirates.
National Initiatives
PAC has actively participated in various national initiatives; heading the cultural committee in The National Plan of Action for Children (2004-2013) organized by the National Council for Family Affairs & UNICEF; drafting the cultural section for the National Agenda 2006 & was the leading organization that introduced Theater Arts as a main subject within the school curricula for Grades 1-10 for the Ministry of Education. PAC also devised the curricula for the Theater Department of the Arts & Design College at the University of Jordan.
The International Arab Children Congress (ACC)
PAC has been organizing the annual International Arab Children Congress since 1996 which was initiated by Her Majesty Queen Noor Al-Hussein following the 1980 Arab summit conference in Amman. Her Majesty wanted to give youth of age 14-16 the same opportunity as Nations’ Leaders to express their needs and aspirations & to be heard by decision makers in the Arab world. The ACC gathers youth from the Arab world for a week of visiting learning & cultural interaction especially designed to promote creativity peace, cross cultural understanding tolerance & solidarity amongst the Arab youth.
In 2004 the ACC hosted international participants from Europe, Asia, Africa & America thus expanding the congress to become a valuable international event that contributes in bridging cultures, alleviating stereotype images and raising awareness on democratic principles & human rights.
Multinational Partnership
Due to the reputable achievements and programs of PAC throughout the years, PAC was selected as the Middle East regional partner by The Danish Center for Culture and Development (DCCD) that aims to network various organizations in the Levant area with Scandinavian organizations to create bridges of communication & exchanges of experiences. PAC represents the Jordanian chapter and is a full member of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ), an organization that includes 80 countries from all over the worlds; an active member of The International Association for the Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean (BJCEM) which was founded in July 2001 in Sarajevo, during the X Edition of the Biennial with the aim of strengthening the relationships between Europe and the Mediterranean area and a member of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between cultures ;the first common institution jointly established and financed by all 35 members of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.