Annual Report 2014

Overview – 2014 Annual Report | The Freedom Theatre

In 2014, The Freedom Theatre expanded its impact through theatre, education, and cultural resistance. The theatre produced seven plays, graduated its third class from the Theatre School, and launched new multimedia and outreach programs reaching thousands across the West Bank and internationally.

Despite the ongoing occupation and the war on Gaza, the theatre led political street performances, solidarity campaigns, and a major Freedom Ride in the Jordan Valley. Innovative initiatives included live-streaming of performances, youth media training, short film production, and new publications.

The year reflected creative resilience, strategic growth, and deepened community engagement under challenging conditions.

Executive Summary & Key Highlights (2014)

1. Strategic Growth & Internationalization

• • The Freedom Theatre advanced its international presence through:
    
    • • Speaking tours in the UK and USA.
    • • Participation in theatre festivals and workshops in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, and Holland.
    • • Launching live-streaming of performances, a first in Palestine, broadening global access.

2. Artistic & Educational Development

• • Theatre School:
    
    • • Graduation of 4 students (Class of 2011), the last mentored by Juliano Mer Khamis.
    • • Admission of a new cohort (8 students, including 3 women) after a rigorous selection process.

• • Productions:
    
    • • Seven total (five new, two re-staged), reaching 7,150+ attendees in the West Bank.
    • • Magic Notes extended due to popular demand; Atuwani offered a model of community-based storytelling and cultural resistance.
    • • Askadinya, Power/Poison, and Suicide Note from Palestine tackled gender-based violence, youth trauma, and political despair.

3. Political Engagement & Cultural Resistance

• • During Israel’s assault on Gaza, TFT cancelled activities to lead and join BDS campaigns, street theatre, and international advocacy.

• • The Freedom Ride (Jordan Valley & South Hebron Hills) engaged 1500+ people in storytelling, cultural exchange, and activism.

4. Multimedia & Publications

• • Film: 3 short films selected by top international festivals (France, UK, USA).

• • Photography: 3 new courses and exhibitions (e.g. Stories on elder Palestinians).

• • Publications: A youth magazine (Voices), a book of short novels (A World of Words), and a visual poetry collection (Spectrum).

5. Capacity Building

• • Advanced Stage Management Program produced two nearly qualified stage managers within 18 months (aided in international tours).

• • Participation in regional and international trainings (e.g., technical training at PARC, Egypt conference, workshops in Europe).

6. Community Engagement

• • Direct outreach to 35 communities across Palestine.

• • Unique programs in remote Bedouin communities and Area C.

• • Children’s programs, including storytelling, playback theatre, and a summer camp led by Theatre School graduates.

7. Organisational Development

• • Expanded partnerships: 70+ Palestinian and international institutions.

• • Solidified international Friends Associations (US, UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Scotland).

• • Notable new board members, including Mustafa Sheta, contributing to governance.

Key Themes & Analysis

A. Cultural Resistance as Practice

TFT continues to place resistance at the heart of its work—not just thematically, but through active presence in marginalized zones (Atuwani, South Hebron Hills). This embeds theatre in political and social realities, consistent with Juliano Mer Khamis’s legacy.

B. Youth-Centered Vision

By offering structured training in theatre and multimedia to youth, particularly in underserved regions, TFT affirms its commitment to cultivating future artists and leaders.

C. Intersectionality and Inclusion

Projects like Askadinya (women’s voices), Power/Poison (children’s fears), and Enemy (Medusa as symbol of the oppressed) reflect an expanding intersectional lens—integrating gender, trauma, memory, and occupation into artistic practice.

D. Innovation in Access & Distribution

• • Introduction of live streaming positioned TFT as a tech-savvy cultural actor.

• • Storytelling and playback theatre in rural areas closed the gap in cultural accessibility.

E. Institutional Maturity

• • TFT showed signs of institutional consolidation through:
    
    • • Clear curriculum design (stage management, photography, theatre).
    • • Strong documentation of its activities (films, books, online archive).
    • • Diverse, recurring international support and partnerships.

Quantitative Snapshot

Category	Data
Performances (WB)	7,150+ attendees
International audience	4,000+ (direct), wider via media
Freedom Ride (2014)	~1,500 participants
Live streamed shows	4
Photography exhibition audience	~450
Outreach communities	35
Theatre productions	7 total
Staff & Associates	30+
Volunteers (local & international)	35+
Summer camp children	9–14 years old, 10 days
Friends Associations	6 active in 2014
Visiting individuals	~1,500

Observations & Opportunities

1. Data & Impact Evaluation

• • While activities are rich and diverse, the report would benefit from stronger outcome-based evaluation—e.g., how many children improved communication skills after playback training? What long-term impact did Askadinya have on participants?

2. Follow-up on Alumni

• • There’s limited tracking of alumni trajectories post-graduation. Capturing this could demonstrate TFT’s long-term impact on the cultural sector.

3. Sustainability Focus

• • 2014 saw strong programmatic performance, but the report lacks strategic financial planning or fundraising innovation. Introducing income-generating activities or social enterprises could be future steps.

4. Underutilized Digital Potential

• • The introduction of live streaming is excellent—however, there’s untapped potential in developing digital archives, online learning modules, or a YouTube/Vimeo strategy.

5. Advocacy Leadership

• • TFT played a visible advocacy role during the war on Gaza. In future years, it could deepen this leadership through policy briefs, cultural rights publications, or direct engagement with UN mechanisms on cultural and human rights.

Looking Forward: 2015 and Beyond

The plans for 2015 demonstrate clear forward motion:

• • The Siege UK Tour – a major international milestone.

• • Deeper India-Palestine partnerships (with Jana Natya Manch).

• • New child and youth program rooted in artistic resistance.

• • Further training in community-based theatre and expansion of Freedom Rides.

• • Continued institutional development and capacity building.

Conclusion

The 2014 report reflects a year of resilience, innovation, and expansive growth for The Freedom Theatre. It cements TFT’s position not only as a leading cultural institution in Palestine, but also as a globally engaged, grassroots-driven space of resistance, healing, and imagination.

Read our Annual Report 2014