Experimentation in Algerian theater: paths and transformation

Experimentation in theater is a characteristic inherent to its historical trajectory. It is not tied to a specific time period or a particular intellectual school, but rather represents a creative dynamism that seeks to surpass predefined molds and reshape the aesthetic vision of theater. From this perspective, it is impossible to talk about theater without invoking its experimental dimension, especially in the Algerian context, where experimentation became a means of cultural resistance and the rooting of identity under the heavy burden of French colonialism. The importance of this study lies in tracking the beginnings and transformations of Algerian theater, from its rooting in popular heritage to drawing inspiration from global experiences, particularly the Brechtian ones, reflecting the interaction of Algerian theater with its reality and history on one hand, and its constant quest for renewal on the other. This is clearly evident in the experiences of pioneers such as Abdel Rahman Kaki and Abdelkader Alloula, up to contemporary theater practitioners like Jlajji, who continued to employ heritage and history within new experimental approaches, such as the "Musradiya" experience, showing that experimentation in Algerian theater is not merely a technical art form, but a deeply rooted intellectual and aesthetic choice in the evolution of this art.