REI’s Kazakhstan English Language Theater attracts positive local media attention!

Have you ever picked up a magazine while waiting in the doctor’s office, just to pass the time? What about the magazines in the pocket on the seat in front of you on the airplane?

Generally, when you flip through, you find advertisements for the latest gadgets on sale now for $199.99 or maybe you’ll find an article written about a current celebrity’s love life or newest hairstyle, but not in Air Astana’s in-flight magazine.

This week on our blog, read one of Tengri’s feature articles, which happens to highlight Resource Exchange International’s Kazakhstan English Language Theater group for their artistry and significance to the people of Almaty, Kazakhstan!

Tengri is Air Astana’s in-flight magazine, and contrary to what you’d expect, they’re writing articles of substance about culture and life in Kazakhstan.

And guess which part of the life and culture of Kazakhstan they decided to feature? None other than Resource Exchange International’s Kazakhstan English Language Theater group for their artistry and significance to the people of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

What we at REI love so much about this article is that it was not solicited by REI. Rather, because REI’s work was so effective, the Kazakh people themselves wanted to feature our work in their country as an example to others of the beauty of Kazakhstan.

Below is the text of the article. I hope you enjoy learning more about REI’s work in Kazakhstan through KELT!

“Thought-Provoking Theatre”

Almaty is well-known for its thriving arts scene, but not everyone’s aware that culture buffs can enjoy drama productions not only in Kazakh and Russian, but also in English. The Kazakhstan English Language Theatre has a wide-ranging repertoire that embraces some classics as well as some thought-provoking modern performances.

Theatre goers in Almaty have been introduced to some exciting new productions performed in English in recent years. The Kazakhstan English Language Theatre (KELT) has breathed fresh air into the city’s arts scene with its groundbreaking plays. Tengri visited the theatre to find out more about what inspired its cast to start performing on the stage in English.

The founder of the theatre, which was set up in 2001 at the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research (KIMEP), says launching a project that would bring something different to the arts scene was a key motivation.

“I knew that people in Kazakhstan loved the arts and were hungry to learn English, so I jumped at the chance to start something new and exciting that would meet both of those desires,” recalled Nathan Fleming, who was KELT’s first director.

Their current director is Jessica Lewis, who says that her work at the theatre has given her a chance to do something creative and present some challenging plays to the Almaty audience.

She takes a hands-on approach to the job, as anyone watching a rehearsal will soon realise. There are two actors on the stage, and Jessica is energetically running around, watching them from different viewpoints and asking them to repeat their parts over and over with various emotions. Now and then she cuts off the rehearsal to discuss the characters and the play with the performers.

When it comes to choosing what to perform, Jessica says she looks at the language and content to make sure that a non-American cast and audience can understand and identify with both. Even though the cast usually has very good English, it’s still their second language and she needs to be sensitive to that.

“I don’t want to do a play that is all about American culture or that contains lines only Americans will understand,” she said. “I also look for something with fairly large casts to involve as many people as possible. I also look for a play that is not too crass or racy. We have a wide variety of audience members, so I like to keep the plays as clean as possible. Lastly, I look for plays that say something. Challenge something. That will make people think and ask questions. If a play is just for pure entertainment, in my eyes, it’s not worth doing.”

KELT has a wide-ranging repertoire which includes some classics and some more modern productions with challenging themes. Tried and true plays that the actors have performed include “A Christmas Carol,” based on the Charles Dickens ghost story, and “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” a magical story about children being transported to a fairytale land. The theatre has also staged thought-provoking productions such as “David and Lisa,” featuring characters suffering from mental disorders, and “The V Monologues,” a legend in feminist theatre. The actors have also performed adaptations of Russian fairytales such as “The Goldfish.”

Members of the audience say that what they enjoy about KELT’s plays is the dynamism and vitality.

“I don’t feel like I’m watching a play, I always feel like I’m in it,”

said Tara, a regular member of the audience of the theatre, which has 400-500 devoted fans who like to come to watch plays in English.

Galina Kiryan, a KIMEP graduate, is a long-time member of KELT who has performed in 11 productions since the theatre was set up. “I like English dramatic art and the community of theatre,” Galina said, explaining her passion for performing.

It’s this sense of being part of a team that is a major attraction for the actors. “Theatre is a very unique experience,” said Nathan. “When you go through the production process with another group of actors, you have the possibility of becoming very close, very fast. With KELT, many of our actors have performed together numerous times. They have all of those shared experiences of performing together in English that draws them to remain close friends.”

Andrey Isabayev fell in love with KELT in 2008 at one of the performances and applied to join the theatre as an actor. He made his debut as the attentive Dr. Swinford in “David and Lisa.” “I like theatre and acting, and KELT is the only opportunity for me to make my dream come true,” Andrey explained.

KELT has some exciting plans for the forthcoming season. It’s going to stage a musical, which will be directed by Galina Kiryan. Jessica says she hopes it will reach out to a wide audience: “As director of KELT, my goal with doing the musical is to get as many people involved [as possible]—to really combine many internationals with many locals. Musicals usually attract more people so I would like to use the musical to get the name of KELT out in the public more.”

As KELT opens its doors to the Almaty public, it is enriching the city’s cultural life and giving theatre fans the chance to view some stimulating English-language performances.