العربية
The Sun Has Set
Shadow Puppet Theatre for Children
Ages: 2–7 years
One day, the sun decides not to rise and light up the world, leaving the moon alone in the sky. She feels tired and upset, because everyone is busy with themselves and no one thanks her.
The forest animals hold an emergency meeting, as living in darkness has become difficult. They decide to send the peacock, but he fails to convince the sun. The nightingale and the parrot try as well, but they also fail. The animals are left confused, unsure of what to do.
From afar, they hear the rooster crowing. He asks the forest animals to let him try to speak with the sun. At first, the sun refuses to talk to him—she does not want to shine anymore and wishes to remain asleep.
The rooster does not give up, knowing that without the sun there is no life. With wisdom and cleverness, he convinces the sun to return and light up the world again, warning her that if she disappears, her light may be lost forever and everyone will forget her.
That is why, every day before morning arrives, we hear the rooster’s crow—reminding the sun to rise and shine, and waking us up as well, so we can begin our day with energy and vitality.
Written and Directed by: Hisham Suleiman
Performed by: Rana Zeitawi
Produced by: Teatro – Center for Creativity and Community Culture
The Tree of Wonders
An Educational and Entertaining Theatre Performance for Children and the Whole Family
The play tells the story of Abdoun, who dreamed of having a garden full of flowers and vegetables. However, the apple tree in front of his house bothered him because it did not bear fruit and only created a mess. Abdoun decided to uproot the tree, but he failed. Instead, he chose to plant flowers and vegetables around it.
Then came the surprise! The tree began to bear fruit and soon was filled with delicious apples. What happened? Was the tree magical? Or was there a deeper and more important lesson behind Abdoun’s story and the Tree of Wonders?
The Tree of Wonders is a play full of adventure and excitement, taking the audience on a journey into the enchanting world of nature. Suitable for all ages, the performance carries educational and social messages for both children and adults.
Adaptation and Direction: Hisham Suleiman
Set Design: Marwan Sabah
Costume Design: Sabrine Tafesh
Music: Moeen Dainal
Cast: Obaida Zeid & Khaled Mayer
Improvisational Theatre Performance – Playback
Playback Theatre is an improvisational theatrical form based on stories shared by the audience. Each story or personal experience offered by audience members is transformed within seconds into a theatrical scene and an artistic tableau on stage. The performance is vibrant and highly expressive, combining movement with live music that resonates emotionally, touches the heart, and stimulates thought for everyone watching.
The performance is suitable for all generations and for anyone who has a story to tell.
The Main Stages of Playback Theatre:
-
Story Gathering: The conductor invites the audience to share personal stories and experiences. At times, general themes are suggested to encourage participation.
-
Story Performance: Once a story is shared, the actors immediately bring it to life on stage using a variety of tools, including movement, spoken word, music, and improvisation.
-
Emotional Engagement: The reactions and emotions of both the storyteller and the audience are an essential part of the performance. The actors strive to understand the essence of each story and convey it in an artistic and impactful way.
-
Purpose: The main goal of Playback Theatre is to create a sense of connection and empathy between the audience and the performers, while encouraging open and meaningful dialogue.
The Play – The Decision
Family is a fundamental social structure and an essential framework in every individual’s life. Each society holds traditions and values that distinguish it from others. In Arab society, there are many differences related to the concept of family and to human and social values—differences that are explored through the events of this play.
Layla (18 years old) has just completed her high school studies and is engaged to Issam (27 years old), who is several years older than her. After a year of engagement, Layla realizes that she made a mistake in agreeing to the marriage and begins to do everything she can to prevent it. Her decision triggers intense family dynamics and internal conflict among all family members—a struggle unfolding on multiple levels: political, social, economic, and beyond.
Music: Moeen Daniel
Set Design: Bambi Friedman
Lighting: Ori Morag
Costume Designer: Sabrine Hassoun Tafesh
Set Construction: Samir Hawa
Technical Direction: Qusai Malham
Written and Directed by: Hisham Suleiman
Cast: Ihab Elias Salameh, Sanaa Lahab, Yousef Shaqour, and Jiana Awad
Produced by: Teatro – Center for Creativity and Community Culture, Nazareth
Teatro Center for Creativity and Art Presents a play
“Restoring Honor”
The play “Restoring Honor” is a black comedy–drama that exposes the absurdity and contradictions of the conflict.
Somewhere along the border, a young Palestinian kidnaps a man he believes to be an Israeli soldier. The shock comes when it turns out that his captive is nothing more than an Arab actor dressed in army uniform during the filming of a television series.
From this moment, an unexpected confrontation unfolds, where reality and illusion, heroism and slogans intertwine, and the bunker (the hideout) becomes a stage where profound questions of identity, freedom, and belonging are raised.
The play combines dramatic tension with black humor, holding up a stark mirror to a conflict that has left behind nothing but ruin. At the final moment, the pressing question arises: are we the authors of our own fate, or merely words in a script written by others—and who decides when the curtain falls?
Production: Teatro – Center for Creativity and Community Culture
Playwright: Raed Shamas
Director: Hisham Suleiman
Cast: Raed Shamas, Amjad Badr
Music: Mu’in Daniel
Set Design: Marwan Sabbah
Costumes: Sabrin Hassoun Tafesh
Lighting: Matanas Mazawi
Production Manager: Haitham Lawabne
Summary of the Play “The House”
Produced by Teatro – Center for Creativity and Community Culture
The play tells the story of Ahmad, a young man from the village of Kafr Qara, who decides to leave his hometown for the city of Haifa in search of a new beginning after being weighed down by harsh living conditions. However, his journey does not unfold as planned when he accidentally discovers an old book inside his bag. Between its pages, the forgotten history of his village is revealed—filled with real events and untold acts of heroism.
With every page he turns, another world opens before Ahmad, taking him on a journey into the past, where truth intertwines with memory and personal stories merge with collective destiny. He finds himself torn between his desire to escape toward an unknown future and the call of history pulling him back to his roots.
“The House” is not merely a personal story, but a social and historical work that sheds light on the relationship between the individual and the land, between past and present. It raises a profound human question:
Can one truly begin anew while carrying the memory of one’s first home on their shoulders?
Written and Performed by: Obaida Zeid
Directed by: Hisham Suleiman
Music: Mohammad Hisham
Costume Design: Sabrine Hassoun Tafesh
Set Design: Marwan Sabah
Technical Direction: Kamel Shaaban
