Shortly after this photo was taken, the final day of ASHTAR’s 2022 festival witnessed an unprecedented attack on the performers and culture makers by a small group of individuals. “We’re sad that we weren’t able to publicly share the fabulous work of the young people, but that doesn’t take away from the sense of togetherness that was fostered during the project,” notes the Smoking Apples, a UK-based puppet collective that led workshops in developing large puppets.

REHEARSING THE FUTURE

PALESTINE (2022)

"Rehearsing the Future" features the ASHTAR Theatre in Ramallah, Palestine. Founded in 1991 by Palestinian actors Iman Aoun and Edward Muallem, ASHTAR Theatre is the oldest youth theatre in the West Bank. Their bi-annual ASHTAR International Youth Theatre Festival brings together young people from across the world to participate in collaborative theatre-making and performances with the intention of creating systemic change.

These photos were made during rehearsals and workshops for the 2022 ASHTAR International Youth Theatre and features young artists and theatre companies from the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Jordan, Syria, Gaza, and across the West Bank. “I always say that one of the things we want to create, if we do not create theatre makers, we create professional citizens,” remarks Iman Aoun, ASHTAR Theatre Artistic Director.

These photographs are part of a long-term project called "I'll Betray My Country" about theatre makers in areas of war and conflict which aims to document the impact of theatre and culture makers in their respective communities.

To learn more about ASHTAR Theatre and support their work, visit ashtar-theater.org .

Text and Reviews:

This project was supported by funding from The Puffin Foundation and CUNY Graduate Center’s DSRG Grant.