Irem Azak

Scattered Stage reimagines theatre not as a single fixed venue but as a dynamic, community-driven experience embedded directly in the streets of Balat, Istanbul/Turkey — a historic neighborhood whose rich cultural layers have recently been overshadowed by tourism and neglect. Instead of creating one centralized cultural institution, the project establishes a decentralized network of modular, mobile hubs. Each hub focuses on a vital part of the amateur theatre-making process: live performances, rehearsals, costume and prop workshops, community dialogues, and exhibitions.

Built from recycled and lightweight materials, these hubs activate underutilized urban spaces that would otherwise remain neglected. By empowering local amateur theatre groups and residents, Scattered Stage transforms Balat into an open, participatory stage where the boundaries between performer and audience, architecture and action, are blurred.

This approach challenges traditional notions of theatre as a fixed venue, fostering a fluid cultural ecosystem rooted in collaboration, creativity, and community care. The project goes beyond building physical structures—it cultivates a living network of artistic exchange and social connection throughout the neighborhood.