RIMA MROUE

“With all the challenges puppetry is facing in Lebanon, we were still able to see several puppet companies surfacing in Beirut.” 

Rima Mroue (45), a puppet designer and puppet maker, originally from the south of Lebanon but born and raised in Beirut, also fell under the spell of puppets at a young age: “I watched a puppet show when I was a child in Bulgaria. I was fascinated with the world of puppets and how alive they were.

“Since I was a child my parents discovered my passion and talent for music, drawing, sculpting and crafting. I always wanted to be a puppeteer.” “I travelled to St. Petersburg where I attended a special course at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography in Puppet Theatre Technology and upon my return my first project was participating in the puppet making for Tamboury Labes Hafy [name of a play] with Al Firqa al Lubnaniya lil Duma/ La Troupe Libanaise des Marionnettes. After that I decided to pursue my studies in Tashkent in puppet theatre.”

Since obtaining a Master of Actors Diploma for Puppets Theatre from Tashkent State Artist Institute (Uzbekistan) in 1997, Mroue has been working with different NGOs and associations but is not a member in any. She performs in Arabic and English and like her colleagues, deems Lebanon’s multiculturalism to be a great advantage. 

Mroue has participated in many children workshops with different NGOs and organizations in Lebanon, Oman and Egypt since 1991. 

“I have worked with major TV stations in designing and making puppets for several children’s TV programmes including Al Jazeera Children, Al Jazeera Baraem, Abu Dhabi TV, New TV, Future TV and ART. I have also worked closely with famous directors in designing and making puppets for many children plays including the Lebanese Puppet Theatre, Gerard Avedissian, Emilia Abi Saleh, the Pre School Department at the Lebanese American University (LAU) and many other projects including on the set construction of two projects for Caracalla Dance Theatre.

Among the many children workshops with different NGOs and organizations she has either participated in or led in Lebanon, Oman, Egypt and the UAE are the Association of Ibrik El Zeit Atelier, Dubai Shopping Festival, and a puppet making workshop with Metropolis Cinema in Beirut. “I was also invited by the Arab Puppet Theatre Foundation (APTF) to participate in some of their Youth Residencies and teach how to make different types of puppets, which then used in a stage performance. In Oman I participated in a project with the Ministry of Education to teach elementary teachers how to make their own puppets and use them in the classroom.”

When asked what she considered to be the challenges posed to puppetry in Lebanon, Mroue was unequivocal: “It’s the economical situation. I personally had to start a second career to be able to maintain a regular source 

Lebanon has a small but vibrant puppetry scene, which is made up of more women than men! This is why we thought that women puppeteers should be celebrated on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March and the up-coming International Puppetry Day on 21 March.

Our sample of 10 women working in the field of puppetry each shared their professional trajectory, gave insight into focus of their work, their passions and views on puppetry in Lebanon.

The women puppeteers provide insight into the medley of traditions and styles that have infused the Lebanese scene, the wide array of contexts and purposes in which puppets are being used, created and performed. Not surprisingly they are a reflection of the magic and versatility of the medium – and Lebanon’s diversity. 

Discover Women Puppeteers in Lebanon – A series showcasing several artists

Compiled by Nathalie Rosa Bucher for Les Amis des Marionnettes

March 2017