RIYADH — The Theater and Performing Arts Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Society of Autism Families to enhance cooperation in the areas of theater training and support for people with special needs. The signing ceremony was held in Riyadh Monday, in the presence of Vice Minister of Culture Hamid Bin Mohammed Fayez, who is also vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission; Prince Saud Bin Abdulaziz Bin Farhan, chairman of the Society of Autism Families, and CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission Sultan Bin Abdulrahman Al-Bazie. According to the memorandum, the two parties shall cooperate to establish the theater group for people with autism as part of the commission’s strategy. The commission will be taking up the theater-related work, represented in “Tayf” theater group, to create a list of job titles for this segment of society. The commission will undertake the responsibility of overseeing theatrical production, providing financial support while supervising budget determination processes, nominating writers, directors and technical staff, approving the production plan and script, besides offering the coverage needed for the theatrical work to succeed. On the other hand, the Society of Autism Families, will offer knowledge support on methods of training and communication with the autistic through its scientific team, as well as providing theater practitioners with a qualifying course on dealing with autistic people. The Memorandum of Understanding stems from the commission’s belief in its social responsibility towards people with disabilities and the need to establish a creative space that embraces their talents and presents them to society in an integrated theatrical form, according to the generally accepted technical conditions. — SPA