Would you like to see a Palestinian on the moon?
Graduates of The Freedom Theatre’s acting school, Alaa Shehada and Motaz Malhees are involved in the new play called ‘Grey Rock’, directed by renowned Palestinian director Amir Nizar Zuabi. The play is in English and the rehearsals take place in Ramallah, the West Bank.
‘Grey Rock’, which sums up American influence over Palestinian culture, is about a man who is tired about the society’s limited worldview and decides to land on the moon, as he is marvelled at 1969 American moon landing and says “shouldn’t Palestine, the land of prophets, also have a presence on the moon?” He spent five years in jail because of a pamphlet he wrote and resents the idea of victimization. He aspires to all of his curiosity and imagination to this new project of his and constantly encourages people to think outside of the box. The play depicts his interactions with his family and scepticism of the community, while he is struggling to achieve his dream. Will he be able to achieve his dream?
To find out, join the world premiere which runs between January 3-7 in 2019 in New York. The premiere is commissioned by Remote Theater Project and it is the first original work created by a Palestinian artist, who is commissioned by a U.S. theater company.
Performed by actors from Palestine:
Khalifa Natour, Ivan Kevork Azazian, Fida Zaidan, and Alaa Shehada & Motaz Malhees.
“Grey Rock centers on the idea that human curiosity is stronger than gravity. I believe that art, which has no boundaries, can influence the dialogue. I’m eager to share what I’ve created with this company of Palestinian actors.” – Amir Nizar Zuabi.
“I am happy to take part in this play very much because it has two things that are the most important for me: One, people in here in Palestine compromise a lot. To me, this play is about ending the compromise. The second thing is, this play anti-victimizing. We are not victims and there is no limit to one’s imagination, creativity and curiosity.” – Motaz Malhees
