Metro Diaries transports you into the world of Dubai's diverse commuters
16 June 2025 00:36
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Get ready for an engaging theatrical journey that transforms the stage at The Black Box, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi into a public transport setting, bringing to life the untold stories of Dubai's diverse commuters.Metro Diaries, by the Filipino theatre group 63Kolektib, invites audiences to step into a world where movement and poetry intertwine, reflecting the rhythm of daily metro rides.The show runs on Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22, with performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.Through evocative performances that blend spoken word, dance and live soundscapes, the experience unfolds in vignettes that capture fleeting connections, moments of solitude, and the universal search for belonging.Capturing the spontaneity of real metro journey, the passengers board, interact and part ways, each carrying a story. Some encounters are lighthearted, filled with warmth and curiosity, while others reveal the deeper struggles and resilience of migrant communities.At its core, Metro Diaries is a meditation on loss, hope, and grounding - three universal threads that bind all the travellers together, whether on a train or through life.Beyond the stage, Metro Diaries extends into the community through a series of free workshops. These sessions invite participants to share their own narratives, exploring the power of theatre as a means of connection and cultural expression.63Kolektib is an artist-led community committed to creating performances that amplify underrepresented voices, particularly those of migrant communities in the UAE.The group was founded by artists with diverse backgrounds in theatre, poetry, and performance art, who share a passion for storytelling, movement and collaboration.The performers include:Trixie Danielle, a 2024 Numoo cohort member at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, is a multidisciplinary artist based in the UAE. Her work delves into migration, identity, and belonging, mainly through theatre, poetry, and storytelling, while exploring the Filipino diaspora and fostering connection across cultures.Juan Gonzales is a Filipino migrant and multi-disciplinary performance-maker based in Dubai, and co-founder of 63Kolektib. He began his artistic journey in the Philippines, where he studied and practiced theatre.Jomel Duran Reyes is a theatre and performance-maker based in Abu Dhabi, dedicated to promoting Filipino culture through the lens of the migrant experience. He is a co-founder of 63Kolektib and member of Numoo Arts Programme, and has produced and contributed to numerous performance projects across both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Rei Co is a 19-year-old professional dancer who began her journey at just six years old. By eight, she was training with Sima Dance Company, and by 12, she launched her professional career. At 13, Rei not only created her debut solo piece featured in Ansaf by Alaa Krimed, but also began teaching contemporary and hip-hop at Sima Performing Arts.
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