In her latest book, Women’s Issues in Saudi Theater, writer Nermin al-Houti opens a wide window into the world of theater, exploring its role as a space for expression, debate, and self-revelation.
Through a precise language that blends critical insight and humanistic depth, the author delves into women in Saudi Arabian theater, moving between scripts and performances, and analyzing their representation onstage over decades.
It does so by documenting and analyzes the presence of women in Saudi theatrical texts and performances, documenting the evolution of their representation and their artistic and social participation on stage.
The author also sheds light on the stages of development of the theatrical experience in Saudi Arabia, from its early beginnings through to the cultural and social transformations to the present, with a focus on the challenges faced by creative women, whether as writers, actresses, or as the subject of artistic works.
The publication transcends mere historical documentation, offering an intellectual critique that sees Saudi theater as a mirror reflecting society’s transformations and concerns.
It reveals how women’s voices were consistently present—sometimes faint, sometimes loud—but always influential in shaping the cultural landscape.
Through a review of various theatrical models, al-Houti illuminates the challenges faced by female Saudi creators, both in writing and acting, and in their active participation in shaping collective consciousness.
The book also provides a critical reading of a selection of plays that addressed women’s issues, highlighting how societal values and intellectual shifts are reflected in these texts.
The author affirms in her book that Saudi theater serves as a mirror of social change, and that women’s issues within it are not merely a reflection of reality, but an effective tool for expressing ambitions and expanding the dialogue about women’s role in cultural development.
This release represents a significant addition to the Arab and specifically Saudi library, combining academic research with a critical perspective, opening the door for further studies on the relationship between theatrical art and social transformations within the kingdom.
With her latest work, the author lays a new foundation in Arab theatrical studies on women—following her first publication, Women’s Issues in Emirati Theater—affirming that women’s issues are inseparable from society, and that theater will always remain a living arena for dialogue, change, and enlightenment.
Houti is an associate professor of the Department of Criticism at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Kuwait. She holds a PhD in Philosophy of Literary Criticism and is a graduate of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts.
In a landmark academic collaboration, Houti has become the first Kuwaiti woman to join a doctoral dissertation committee at Egypt’s Academy of Arts.
Houti is a member of the Association of Writers and the Journalists Association, and is also part of the literary arbitration committees on theater or poetry in Kuwait and other Arab countries.
She has authored numerous newspapers and magazines articles and several books on significant theatrical works.
