by husamkalotiA Skate Play
The Freedom Theatre Production, in partnership with Eyes Up Here Productions & Skateqilya
Based on “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach
World Premiere: October 8–12, 2018 | Jayyous Skate Park, Qalqilya, Palestine
A landmark outdoor skate-theatre production — the first of its kind in Palestine.
Genre: Site-Specific Skate–Theatre | Outdoor Performance
Language: Arabic with minimal English narration
Overview
A Skate Play is a groundbreaking, site-specific performance that blends skateboarding, physical theatre, live narration, and music to reimagine Richard Bach’s classic novella Jonathan Livingston Seagull through the eyes of Palestinian youth. Presented as Palestine’s first-ever skate-theatre production, the work transforms the Jayyous Skate Park in Qalqilya into a dynamic stage where movement, risk, and storytelling collide.
Set against the social and spatial realities of Palestine, the production offers a rare public-space performance where artistic expression becomes a form of visibility, agency, and joyful defiance.
The story follows Jonathan, a young seagull who refuses to conform to the limits imposed on him by his flock. His pursuit of freedom mirrors the experiences of young Palestinians navigating social expectations, restricted mobility, and the desire for self-expression in shared community spaces.
Performed at sunset each evening, the show invited families, youth, and local communities to witness an energetic and uplifting theatrical journey that merges art, sport, and collective imagination.
Why Watch A Skate Play?
- A first in Palestine – the country’s inaugural skate-theatre production, performed inside an active skate park.
- A hybrid art form – combining skateboarding, dance, physical theatre, live storytelling, and immersive music.
- A universal story reframed – Jonathan’s quest for freedom resonates deeply within the Palestinian context.
- A celebration of youth voices – exploring identity, risk-taking, resilience, and the right to occupy public space.
- A cross-cultural collaboration – created by artists from The Freedom Theatre, Eyes Up Here Productions, and Skateqilya.
This is theatre that moves, literally, challenging genre boundaries and offering audiences an unrepeatable, high-energy experience.
Artistic Vision
The production adapts Jonathan Livingston Seagull into a physical, movement-driven performance anchored in the philosophy of self-discovery. Skateboarding becomes both a metaphor and a stage language: speed, falling, risk, repetition, and flight mirror Jonathan’s personal transformation.
The creative intent was to:
- Reclaim public spaces for artistic expression.
- Engage young audiences through a form that speaks their language.
- Interweave sport and theatre as complementary modes of storytelling.
- Explore freedom as a physical, personal, and social experience.
The skate park setting shapes the dramaturgy: its ramps, bowls, and rails serve as the narrative geography through which the performers journey.
Synopsis
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is no ordinary member of the flock. Obsessed with flight and hungry for more than survival, he breaks away from the rules of his society and embarks on a path that challenges authority and celebrates individuality.
A Skate Play transforms this journey into a vibrant, multi-layered performance where skaters carve space, actors narrate, and musicians drive the emotional rhythm. Together they create a living metaphor for Jonathan’s rebellion, longing, and transcendence.
The result is a poetic, fast-paced, family-friendly performance that invites audiences to imagine their own flights beyond imposed limits.
Cast & Creative Team
Cast
Actors
- Samah Mahmoud
- Moataz Malhis
- Gantous Wael
Narrators
- Fida Ataya
- Manal Ghaneim
Skaters
- Lisa Jacob
- Kaz Waters
- Abdullah Malhem
- Omar Hattab
Live Music
- Samer Abu Hantash
Creative Team
- Director & Adapter: Noelle Ghoussaini
- Co-Director: Faisal Abu Al-Heja
- Co-Director: Joel Maynholt
- Composer & Live Musician: Samer Abu Hantash
- Sound Engineer: Sami Al-Sadi
- Technical Support: Adnan Naghnaghia
Production Credits
- Producer: Nilou Safinya
- Co-Producer: Esther Chang
- Associate Producer (Palestine): Mustafa Sheta – The Freedom Theatre
Venue
Jayyous Skate Park
Jayyous, Qalqilya – Near the Municipal Council Building
An open-air skate park redesigned as a theatrical landscape for this unique production. Its natural slopes, rhythm, and movement patterns provided the architectural backbone of the performance.
Performance Dates
October 8–12, 2018
Monday to Friday — 5:00 PM
Jayyous Skate Park, Qalqilya, Palestine
All performances were free and open to the public.
The production attracted hundreds of local families and youth throughout the week-long run.
Critical Notes & Community Impact
The production marked a significant moment in Palestine’s contemporary arts scene:
- Introduced skate theatre as a new medium for storytelling.
- Activated a rural public space as a cultural and youth-centered hub.
- Offered a creative platform for young skaters to perform alongside professional actors.
- Strengthened cross-border artistic exchange between Palestine and international collaborators.
Local audiences praised the show for its inventiveness, energy, and ability to speak to youth aspirations in a fresh, accessible language.
Audience Reviews
Selected highlights from community feedback:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A beautiful fusion of skate culture and theatre, unlike anything we’ve seen in Palestine.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My children were completely mesmerized. It felt alive, fast, and full of hope.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A poetic performance that brought Jonathan Livingston Seagull to life on wheels.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Skate Play?
A multidisciplinary outdoor performance combining skateboarding, theatre, narration, and live music, inspired by Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
Where was it performed?
At the Jayyous Skate Park in Qalqilya, Palestine.
Is it a family-friendly show?
Yes. The production was designed for audiences of all ages.
Was the performance free?
All performances in the 2018 premiere run were free and open to the public.
Archival Note
This publication serves as the official English-language documentation of A Skate Play for academic, artistic, and institutional use. It preserves the production’s history as the first skate-theatre performance in Palestine and a landmark collaboration between The Freedom Theatre, Eyes Up Here Productions, and Skateqilya.
A Skate Play remains a key reference point in Palestine’s emerging movement-based theatre and continues to be cited for its innovative integration of sport and performance.