The Freedom Theatre Production (2008)
Production Highlights:
- Premiered: January 29, 2008, at The Freedom Theatre, Jenin Refugee Camp
- Performed by TFT youth acting group “Bad Boys”
- Marked the first professional stage appearance for most of the young performers
- Directed and developed by Nabil Al-Raee under the vision of co-founder Juliano Mer-Khamis
- Represented one of TFT’s earliest steps in using theatre as a tool for cultural resistance and youth empowerment
Genre: Youth Theatre / Social Drama / Community Theatre
Language: Arabic
Duration: Approx. 20 minutes
Synopsis / Overview
The Journey follows five Palestinian boys from Jenin Refugee Camp whose dream of reaching the Mediterranean Sea transforms into a profound internal voyage. Confronted with the daily realities of life under occupation, poverty, and social restrictions, they navigate hope, imagination, and friendship, discovering that the journey itself—through storytelling, play, and creativity—is a form of resistance.
The narrative evolved from TFT’s earlier production To Be or Not To Be…, with new scenes and twists contributed by the young actors themselves, reflecting their lived experiences and aspirations. The play emphasizes that even in the harshest circumstances, imagination and courage can carve out spaces of freedom.
Why Watch the Play
- Witness Palestinian youth transform trauma into creative expression
- Experience TFT’s unique model of theatre as empowerment, developed in the heart of a refugee camp
- See the formation of the first youth theatre cohort in Jenin, bridging local talent and international artistic standards
Cast & Creative Team
Directed by: Nabil Al-Raee
Artistic Supervision: Juliano Mer-Khamis (co-founder, mentorship & vision)
Performed by – Bad Boys Youth Group:
- Ahmed Al-Rokh
- Ahmed Tobasi
- Kamal Awad
- Qais Al-Sadi
- Rami Awni
Producer: The Freedom Theatre
Set, Lighting, Costume & Sound: TFT production team
Translation / Surtitles: N/A for local audiences
Director’s Note:
“The play is rooted in reality, Jenin’s streets, homes, and hearts. These boys brought their own lives onto the stage, transforming obstacles into imagination. Theatre becomes their sea, their freedom, their voice.” – Nabil Al-Raee
Origins and Significance
The production grew out of TFT’s mission to create a theatre from below, empowering youth who otherwise face marginalization. The Bad Boys were streetwise boys, school dropouts, and children living in post-war conditions of Jenin, with little hope for formal artistic engagement. TFT’s approach allowed them to reclaim their voices, reshape narratives, and participate in shaping the story of their own lives.
This model mirrors the early principles of Arna Mer-Khamis, TFT’s original visionary founder, and the later vision of Juliano Mer-Khamis: fostering cultural resistance, social reflection, and empowerment through performance.
Political & Social Context
- Set in Jenin Refugee Camp, still scarred from the 2002 battle and under ongoing occupation
- Explores the layers of oppression: military occupation, economic hardship, local authority pressures, and social hierarchies
- Highlights theatre as a tool for dialogue, hope, and non-violent resistance
Community Impact
- First professional exposure for the youth actors, inspiring continued engagement in arts
- Demonstrated co-ed collaboration in a conservative society, building trust and breaking gender barriers
- Strengthened TFT’s role as a cultural hub and international actor
Performance History
- Opening: January 29, 2008 – The Freedom Theatre, Jenin
- Two-week daily performance following the premiere
- Part of TFT’s early international attention, building networks of supporters, volunteers, and Friends of The Freedom Theatre
Themes
- Resistance & resilience
- Freedom, imagination, and creativity as tools of empowerment
- Youth, identity, and self-discovery
- Community solidarity and social consciousness
Target Audience
- Local communities and families in Jenin
- Youth and emerging artists
- Cultural institutions and international observers interested in Palestinian theatre and social change
Partners & Support
- Friends of The Freedom Theatre (International support network)
- Local volunteers and mentors within Jenin
Archival & Academic Note
- Early TFT youth production, significant in shaping the theatre school’s curriculum
- Documents TFT’s bottom-up approach to theatre-making, combining youth empowerment, cultural resistance, and artistic excellence
- A key case study for community-driven theatre in conflict zones