Idea of story
Establishing an Open-Air Theater on Residential Building Rooftops
How idea was produced
The idea came from an attempt to find activities that strengthen social relationships among residents of apartment buildings.
Thus, the concept emerged of organizing cultural activities in the form of an open-air theater on the rooftop of the residential building, where residents can attend, enjoy, and get to know one another to enhance social connections.
In addition, this idea is easy to implement and will help uncover many talents in various fields related to art and theater, making it a valuable concept for a cultural initiative.
purpose of imaginative news story and its importance
presenting an idea for a new cultural initiative that could produce new talents in the fields of art and theater.
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This Story is imaginative ( not real ) and used to express ideas
Story image is produced by AI
“Rooftop Theatre” … A New Initiative with Global Inspiration
In an unprecedented cultural initiative, the residents of Al-Nour building in Cairo’s Heliopolis district succeeded in transforming the rooftop into an open-air night theater that hosted an artistic play titled “On the Edge of the City”, led by young director Karim El-Desouki and the Neighborhood Audience for Contemporary Arts troupe.
The idea came with support from the Art for All Association, which provided simple initial equipment, and with direct inspiration from similar experiences in Spain, Brazil, and Mexico, where “rooftop theatre” shows are widely used as a bridge between art and community.
A Cat Steals the Spotlight… and a Young Musician Surprises the Audience
The show began quietly before the audience was stunned by the sudden appearance of young musician Mohannad Hamza on the rooftop edge, performing a live piece that sparked amazement.
The back wall of the rooftop was used as a video screen projecting interactive illustrations, while the night breeze played its own dramatic role, moving the curtains during an emotional scene.
In a humorous moment, a cat wandered onto the stage, weaving between the actors. The director chose to embrace the surprise and incorporate it into the scene, prompting laughter from the audience.
A Senior Resident Moved to Tears
“We wanted a theatre that people feel belongs to them,” said director Karim El-Desouki, who is not yet twenty-five.
The actors themselves came from non-theatrical backgrounds:
Youssef Shoukry, a bank employee by day and amateur actor by night
Salma El-Morsi, a fine arts student
Rami Mounir, an IT worker performing comedy for the first time
During the show, one elderly resident, Hajj Abdel-Qader Shoukry, was moved to tears after a scene reminded him of his long-lost dream of acting. At the end of the evening, he went up on stage to thank the team amid prolonged applause.
Art… Tea… and Homemade Kunafa
More than 120 people attended the show, including art students, residents of nearby buildings, and visitors drawn in by a simple social media post.
The audience sat on wooden bleachers made by the residents from old furniture, while Mrs. Manal Abou El-Fadl’s coffee corner brought people together over cups of tea and homemade kunafa.
After the performance, the audience joined a half-hour improvisation workshop, where discussions grew lively about the importance of presenting free art outside traditional frameworks.
A Popular Video Streaming Platform Supports the Show
The entertainment streaming platform “Stream Masr” announced an agreement with the team to produce a monthly program titled “Rooftop Theatre”, documenting upcoming shows and presenting young talents to millions of viewers—turning the initiative into professional entertainment content that competes with traditional arts programs.
The Alternative Cultural House Foundation also announced its support for launching an annual festival held on rooftops across several Cairo neighborhoods.
Global Inspiration… with an Egyptian Soul
The troupe drew inspiration from similar rooftop performances in Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City, but aimed to translate the idea into a vibrant Egyptian spirit—one that involves neighbors, celebrates daily life, and transforms the simplest spaces into creative arenas.
“On the Edge of the City” was not just a fleeting artistic experiment; it was a message affirming that art can emerge from anywhere… even from the top of an apartment building.
Amid the audience’s laughter, the violin music, and the glow of Cairo’s lights, it became clear that this initiative will not be the last—and that theatre has found a new home above the clouds.
