ASHTAR for Theatre Productions and Training

ASHTAR Theatre ASHTAR, a globally acclaimed and award-winning Palestinian non-profit NGO founded in 1991 by prominent actors Edward Muallem and Iman Aoun, as the first theatre school in Palestine. ASHTAR consists of a dedicated group of professional female and male actors and directors. Beyond its artistic pursuits, ASHTAR utilizes theatre as a powerful tool for social change in Palestinian society through its wholistic approach to theatre. ASHTAR's multifaceted work is structured around three artistic pillars: Youth Theatre, Social Theatre, and Professional Theatre. The organization strives to empower young women and men in diverse settings, from cities and villages to refugee camps, spanning urban and remote areas in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. ASHTAR introduces novel ideas and perspectives on social change, fostering the development of skills and technical capacities in young theatre students and professionals, providing a vital space for innovation and creativity. Notably, ASHTAR specializes in the 'Theatre of the Oppressed – Forum Theatre' methodology, transforming passive audiences into active and involved participants, standing as a dynamic agent of change in Palestine. ASHTAR's impactful work extends across Palestine and internationally, with its artivist project - The Gaza Monologues - garnering over 350 institutional, group, and individual participations in more than 72 countries, reaching thousands of in-person audience members and over 500,000 on social media. ASHTAR’S major leap is turning the organization from a school of theatre for young people to becoming an academy of performing arts for youth. Granting young women and men the possibility to start their artistic career and develop their social engagement with the land and the people. Vision: ASHTAR envisions a thriving Palestinian society where theatre serves as an essential engine for achieving political and social justice, bridging cultures, amplifying creative voices and serves as a platform for freedom of expression, artistic excellence, and critical thinking. Mission: • To help create imaginative, progressive and productive Palestinian youth, able to express themselves, and serve creatively. • To contribute to the creation of a cultured society that adopts the principles of freedom, justice and equality. • To utilize theatre as a tool to encourage and assert marginalized groups, to become agents of social change. • To expand the local theatre skills and reach out globally with our local artistry.