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A Theatre Season, a Community, and Different Ways of Feeling Good Together

Updated: Jun 11

A Theatre Season, a Community, and Different Ways of Feeling Good Together

At Originn, we have always approached the idea of community a little differently. We believe that what makes a community strong is not simply sharing the same space, but building shared experiences together.

Sometimes this means developing an idea together, sometimes gathering around the same table, and sometimes sitting side by side in a darkened theatre and continuing the conversation after the curtain falls.

This season, that is exactly what we did as the Ahali Theatre Community.

With the organisation and facilitation of the Turkish Education Association İzmir Branch, we came together at İzmir State Theatres every month and watched seven different plays:

Yalancının Resmi, Münasebetsiz, Arzunun Onda Dokuzu, Ve Kazanan, Oyun İçinde Oyun, Kaçaklar and Nihayet Makamı.

We talked about what stayed with us after each performance, met new people, and grew a little closer with every gathering. Through our ticket purchases and suspended-ticket contributions, we also became part of a small but meaningful act of solidarity supporting the scholarship fund of the Turkish Education Association İzmir Branch.



The Real Gathering Begins After the Curtain Falls

Going to the theatre together is about more than watching the same play. It creates space to laugh, fall silent and be surprised at the same moment—and to ask one another afterwards, “What stayed with you?”

For us, the real connection often began after the curtain fell: with a few words exchanged in the foyer, conversations that continued on the way home, and plans to meet again for the next performance.

In working life, we often meet people through their professions, responsibilities and what they produce. Yet sharing an experience outside work allows us to see different sides of one another.

Our different reactions to a play, a character we continued to discuss, or a scene that suddenly left us all silent—each of these moments can open the door to more genuine encounters.

This season, the Ahali Theatre Community reminded us once again that a community grows stronger not simply by being in the same place, but by continuing the conversation after a shared experience.


The Connection Between Work Culture and the Arts

Loneliness and a sense of disconnection are among the challenges that remote workers, independent professionals and small teams may experience. In coworking spaces, we observe this closely.

A shared professional goal is not always enough to create meaningful connections. Sometimes, what brings people closer is an experience shared beyond work.

Theatre creates exactly this kind of space: an opportunity to meet without talking about work and to see someone not only through their professional role, but also through their thoughts and feelings in response to a performance.

This was one of the things we noticed within the Ahali community this season.


To Everyone Who Made This Season Possible

We would like to thank the Turkish Education Association İzmir Branch for organising and facilitating this wonderful season, and everyone who took their seat alongside us each month.

We completed a theatre season filled with performances, conversations and solidarity.

The curtain has closed for now.We look forward to coming together again next season. 🎭


Further Reading

This article was informed by the following publications exploring the effects of the arts on wellbeing, social connection, belonging and community experiences:

 
 
 

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