At times, we all strive to be who we’re not. Could be a different persona, a character, something better than ourselves or an alias that will make us feel stronger, more powerful or more sociable than who we really are. Despite the fact that there has been a greater population of the virtual community who has revealed their real identity online, the fact that the communication is being made through a screen, makes a difference. Similar to the stage that an actor steps up on to perform. The similarities didn’t hit me until the day we invited Sania Saeed, a popular stage and television actor in Pakistan, came by to the CIO Pakistan WebStudio to interact with a few bloggers.

June 6th to the 9th, Sania and her theater troupe from Katha, kicks off performances of “May Adakara Bunnaa Gi”, fundraising for the Rotary Club. While you can find out details about how you can attend the show in the post here

what was interesting about the discussion we had, was how similar the issues, challenges and successes the blogging community and actors experience. The sense of obligation to highlight an issue or subject we strongly believe in, or ensure that the communication and expression add value to the audience and be responsible and accountable for our actions – all of these are faced by both designations. The blogosphere has always highlighted the issues that have been skipped over by mainstream media, as has theater. Blogs thrive on audience interaction, as does live stage performance.

The challenges of receiving and dealing with critical feedback which can provoke thought-provoking discussion to bring about the change in the status quo – that’s what we’re all dealing with on a daily basis. Issues of censorship or privacy – all creative expression does get, though should not be, subjected to prior review by a regulator. Both stage actors such as Sania and the social bloggers that make the blogosphere, are activists and can make a lot more noise because they have a strong link with their audience.

Sania admitted that she didn’t know much about the world of blogs, but did express a sincere interest in making a more conscious, stronger use of it.

Two very different types of people, working towards a common goal – to inspire and make a change. A little ‘tighter’ communication from both sides will help to catapault the strength of theater and multiply it through the power of New Media and Pakistan’s Blogosphere. Here’s a video we recorded with Sania Saeed, Shehzad Qureshi (Rotary) and a few bloggers on the CIO Pakistan WebStudio!

(Photo credit: Jamash)

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