OUR STORY
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The Playhouse was established in 2013 and is the passion project of two theatre-lovers, Kemsley Dickinson and his wife Tiffany Schultz.
It started out as a partitioned office space which they renovated over a period of a year and turned into Dubai’s first and most beautiful independent small theatre set in the beautiful oasis of The Courtyard, Al Quoz.
The Desert Monologues Acting Workshop for Adults was the first workshop taught by Kemsley Dickinson in February 2008 and is where it all began. It was such a success that its growth eventually lead to the founding of The Courtyard Playhouse in 2013, with funding from David and Susan Dickinson and a partnership with Richard and Louisa Coates, Kemsley Dickinson and Tiffany Schultz brought the concept of a small theatre to life in Dubai: the Courtyard Playhouse.
Originally one of the first warehouses in Al Quoz, the space was redesigned over a number of years as players and layers were added. Through relentless perseverance and the support of the community, the Playhouse grew into the beautiful and friendly theatre venue that it is today. The improvisation programme at the Courtyard Playhouse is recognised internationally. This is largely due to the application of Keith Johnstoneโs approach to improvisation or improโ. Which is not average. It begun with eight friends practicing improโ techniques from a book in Kemsleyโs living room.
Without the generosity, philosophy and work of the apedescendants mentioned above, this wonderful venue and the friendships, experiences and love that its walls have seen, simply wouldnโt be. The Playhouse is testament to their work and to all who have played, and will play, their part.
