The Freedom Theatre In Jenin

The Tulkarm Team was looking forward to traveling to Jenin to attend the Palestinian production of Alice in Wonderland at the Freedom Theatre.  We managed to clear our schedule and coordinated travel plans with the EAPPI team in Jayous so that all of us would arrive about the same time.  The theatre is located in the refugee camp in Jenin. 

We were met by the staff and were given a warm welcome and  royal treatment throughout the day.  This included a prelude to the production, the performance and a postlude including a smorgasbord of delicious food.  

A well-known actor/director from Israel named Juliano Mer Khamis and his mother succeeded in making this nearly impossible dream become a reality.  Juliano’s mother, Arna, wanted to do something for the children of the Jenin Refugee Camp.  Together they secured grant money and established the Freedom Theatre. 

There have been many tragedies for the people of Jenin.    Some of the students at the acting school were killed in 2002 by Israeli forces.  The grief and loss has left a deep scar in the hearts of people of Jenin.  The acting school has been therapeutic in helping students work through the fears of this tremendous and unforgettable experience.  Juliano made a documentary film about his mother called Arna’s Children in 2004.  It was given many awards as a documentary film and his mother died of cancer two weeks after it was filmed.  For more information, please see:  www.thefreedomtheatre.org.

In December of 2006 they reopened in the Jenin Refugee camp in the North of the West Bank of Palestine.  Their original model of using art for social change remains the same.  Through their daily work in stage and drama they empower the children of Jenin to envision possibilities beyond the refugee camp.  They emphasize freedom for men and women in a way that avoids the idea of victimization.  Juliano said:  “Palestine is a depressed society that has lost its identity.  It is a traumatized society that suffers from PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder.)  Through theatre, we attempt to change that image and find ways of expression for the healing to begin.” 

Alice in Wonderland opened January 23^rd and performances will continue throughout February, 2011.  The production is directed by Juliano Mer Khamis and includes both classes of the Freedom Theatre acting school.  The play features a revolving stage, aerial and acrobatic stunts, spectacular costumes and extraordinary lighting. 

Curtain Call - "Alice in Wonderland"

It is the most ambitious production the Freedom Theatre has attempted.  It is an adaptation of the famous novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll in 1865.  This version of the story has characters such as Alice, Ahmad, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum, the Red Queen and the White Queen. First and second year acting students along with professional actors and actresses were all part of the performance. 

Future actor and actress??

It was truly a thrilling experience to attend this spectacular and very special event. 

Mr. Khamis (3rd from left) and his wife (2nd from left)
and actors host us for refreshments after performance

 Susanne