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INAD THEATRE:

INAD (stubborn) Theatre was established in 1987 and is based in the West Bank town of Beit Jala.  INAD is registered with the Palestinian Ministry of Culture as a non-profit Center for Theatre and Arts and is the only professional theatre group in the southern area of the West Bank. 

INAD originally emerged as a collaborative effort of four young Palestinians, who produced a small sketch, entitled “Disco Party.”  Following the success of the performance, the group decided to continue its work by formally establishing a theatre group.  Two of the original four members pursued theatre studies professionally, following which the group was developed and five new members added.  After a hiatus of approximately four years, INAD re-emerged and began its professional work by producing several works. 

As the only professional theatre group in the southern West Bank, INAD seeks to provide access to theatre and the arts to over 200,000 Palestinians living in the region, either through INAD’s existing facilities, or through community outreach productions to various locales in the southern West Bank.  In addition, INAD seeks to assist in developing and empowering the current Palestinian theatre movement, and improving understanding among Palestinians, by working with other theatre and cultural groups.  As such, INAD prioritizes working within the community itself, including encouraging and supporting local playwrights, and then producing their work.

INAD’s past achievements have been made possible through the combined efforts and dedication of the group, supporters from the local community, and its Swedish partner, the Dramatiska Institute.  As enthusiasm and support for the group increases, INAD seeks to expand its existing programs and initiate several new ones.

Working with Children

INAD emphasizes working with children and youth in order to facilitate the creation of a generation of Palestinian youth that appreciates theatre and the arts.  INAD views theatre as a medium that will expose youth to a diversity of cultures and opinions as well as provide children with an alternative means of expression.  As such, INAD has conducted a number of activities which target as both audience and participant. 

INAD Theatre was the pioneer in launching a Mobile Theatre on a truck in eleven different locations in the Bethlehem area.  INAD hopes to continue its work in this regard, bringing theatre productions to Palestinian children in villages, camps, and rural areas of the southern West Bank.  The truck shows, which are held during the Christmas season and Ramadan, include musical plays for children, which address social issues that are important and relevant to children in terms of education and development of their personality.  Such activities for children are desperately needed in these areas which tend to be the most neglected in terms of services and often lack little or no entertaining activities for children.  In the Bethlehem area, Radio Bethlehem assists us in advertising for the Mobile Theatre performances, as well as local television stations in the Hebron area.  In addition, INAD seeks the help of local municipalities, village councils, schools, and children’s institutions in raising awareness regarding the performances. 

In addition, INAD continues to hold performances for children and youth in areas throughout the southern West Bank. 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1.      To establish a professional theatre group in the southern West Bank.

2.      To provide access to theatre and arts to the 200,000 residents of the region.

3.      To develop and perform children’s theatre.

4.      To encourage and provide support to Palestinian writers and playwrights.

5.      To encourage and facilitate the incorporation of theatre education in Palestinian curricula.

6.      To assist in the development of the Palestinian theatre movement.

7.      To address social problems existing in Palestinian society through theatre productions, with particular attention paid to issues of gender, domestic violence and, drug abuse.

8.      To assist in the building of a sound civil society, by producing theatre works which emphasize respect for human rights, democracy, and pluralism.

9.      To establish relations with other Arab theatre groups.

EXISTING PREMISES

INAD Studio

The INAD Studio is located in the center of the old city of Beit Jala and is suitable for INAD rehearsals, workshops for the community, exhibitions and performances for small audiences.  INAD will open the Studio to other  theatre and music groups in need of a facility for training, concerts, and performances.

Community Contribution

The INAD Studio is made possible through the kind donation of the building’s owner, who provided INAD with the space, rent-free, for two years.  Local merchants have assisted in the renovation of the Studio by donating various building materials, including bricks, cement, electrical items, pipes, doors, etc.  In addition, Guiding Star Travel Agency, in Jerusalem, sponsored the installation of a wooden stage floor and a 3-phase electricity meter.  Likewise, the Palestinian Ministry of Culture provided INAD with a computer, while Al-Yasseni Office Furniture Company donated a desk, computer table, shelf for the INAD office. 

We are currently seeking support from other local stores and companies in order to meet the other needs of renovating the studio, including installing a seating area, painting the studio, covering the floor with BVC, installing black curtains, purchasing a photocopier, printer, modem, television, and VCR, among others. 

The local community’s contribution to the renovation of the INAD Studio has resulted in, not only the emergence of a professional theatre facility in Beit Jala, but in a theatre project firmly based in and supported by the community itself. 

TARGET BENEFICIARIES

Direct:             Approximately 200,000 Palestinian residents of the southern West Bank, in particular, children, youth, and women.

Indirect:           The international community

INAD PRODUCTIONS

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES:  2000-2001

INAD’s activities and programs during this period will include both on-going programs and individual events, as follows:

On-going Programs

1.      Teaching drama to children between the ages of 8-15.

2.      Mobile theatre performances for children in camps, villages, and rural areas, primarily during Ramadan and the Christmas season.

3.      Working with young Palestinian playwrights, in cooperation with the Royal Court Theatre in London.

4.      Establishing and strengthening networks with cultural and educational NGOs and institutions in Palestine and other Arab countries.

5.      Silent theatre group:  Training and working closely with Al-Hayah Society for the Deaf, in order to form a theatre group using sign language as text.

6.      Capacity building through developing the skills and qualifications of the INAD’s members.

Individual Events

1.      Producing four plays in the coming two years: two for children, two for adults.

2.      Organizing workshops and projects for children, youth, and women.

3.      Hosting art exhibitions, music concerts and other theatre performances.

4.      Showing films on a semi-regular basis.

5.      Organizing a summer camp for children from four different cultural organizations in Palestine.  The 16 children will then travel to Egypt to spend two weeks with Egyptian children in Minia, south of Cairo. 

6.      Attending the Amman International Theatre Festival in Jordan.

7.      Working with Victoria Theatre on producing an improvised show in Bethlehem.

8.      Installing the lighting system for the Theatre.

Current Situation:

We still hope that no more damages will occur to our beloved theatre, because we have worked very hard for it.

Inad Theatre has been bombed over nine times since the beginning of the bombardment on Beit Jala.  Each time more and more damage has been done to the building and to the theatre itself.  The first shelling broke our windows, our lights, our storage room, and several pieces of equipment due the explosions.  The second shelling damaged three metal entrances, two walls, all our metal window blinders and the windows that we have installed a week before.   The signs of the theatre outside were also were full of holes of bullets and shells.  As a result, of an electrical shortage and the explosions our equipment were all  destroyed. Computer, printer, sound system, fax, photocopier, speakers, heater..etc.              

Current Activities:

During the last eight weeks, we have been performing for children in Bethlehem and Hebron area.  For children who have been living in areas which were shelled by the Israeli missiles and tanks or attacked by Israeli settler.  Until now we have performed for almost 30,000 children in towns, villages and refugee camps.  Children have been going through so much fear and anxiety causing them traumas and shocks for loosing members of their families and friends.  Children were in great need for something to help them get over the state of shock they have been suffering from.

According to Amira Barham-Richards, MSc., Director of Old City Counseling Center,  " The performances and workshops provided a more positive atmosphere for the children and helped them regain their awareness of their childhood out of the crises they keep witnessing on the street and on TV.  The activity touched on issues relevant to the children.  This gave an atmosphere of temporary safety for the children.  This time gave them space to discharge their thoughts, fears, emotions, and to be heard by each other and by adults, which is something they lack in such a situation where the people around them are preoccupied with their own distress with the current events.  Furthermore, being with and listening to other children's issues, fears, and emotions gave each one of them a sense of unity and safety with the others, broke their isolation, and gave them the idea of "I am not alone."

The performances gave those children a whole hour and a half away from their bitter reality and gave them enough space to express themselves.  This contributes to reduce their trauma and its effects, which is a great benefit to them at this time in particular and in the future.  They would learn that it is OK to express your fear, which subsequently leads to anger and both emotions can be expressed safely and channeled positively through creative methods."

So we want to continue with those performances for children and youth in need to get over the horrific situation they are living under.

The five performances we are offering are as follows:

1. Karakouz                                 A dance and song show for ages 4-7
2. Grandpa And I                         A play for ages 7-9
3. The Little Match Girl                 A play for ages 10-13 (It talks about children’s rights)
4. A Paper from Al-Ramleh          A Monodrama for ages 14-16
5. Bridge to Eternity                      A play for ages 16 and over.
   

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