THEIR VOICES WILL BE HEARD:
Artist Responses to the Israeli-Palestinian Situation

Each performance of these two plays, being performed in rotating repertory, will be followed by a post-show talkback with the actress and a member of the artistic staff of New Repertory Theatre. Additionally, we’ve planned enhancement events throughout the month of March.

Events include three staged readings (including a piece by our resident playwright, Meron Langsner), two screenings of films, and panel discussions with experts on various topics that address artists responses to the Israeli/Palestinian situation.

Download a complete calendar of events
View complete information about our panelists

Monday, March 10, 2008
7:30pm
Staged Reading: B’shalom
By Meron Langsner
Directed by Danny Gidron
B’Shalom traces the friendship between an Israeli immigrant and a Palestinian-American in New York City the summer after 9/11, as it reaches a crisis point as the result of both local prejudices and events overseas.  By putting a human face on both sides of a volatile subject, this play deals with its subject with much-needed humor and compassion.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
7:30pm
Film: Promises
A Film by Justine Shapiro, B.Z. Goldberg and Carlos Bolado
Academy Award Nominee for Best Feature Documentary
Promises portrays the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through the eyes of seven Palestinian and Israeli children living moments away but worlds apart in different neighborhoods of Jerusalem.  By exploring the physical, historical, and emotional obstacles differentiating their childhoods, Israeli-American filmmaker B.Z. Goldberg presents the story of a few children with enough courage to cross divides and meet their neighbors.

Sunday, March 16, 2008
5:30pm
Panel Discussion: “What is the Role of Art in Representing the Situation?
Panelists: Danny Gidron, Nathalie Handal, Rebekah Maggor and Najla Said

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
7:30pm
Film: Knowledge is The Beginning
A Film by Paul Smaczny
In this awe-inspiring documentary by Paul Smaczny, an unlikely collaboration between world-renowned conductor Daniel Barenboim and the outspoken Palestinian scholar Edward Said produces musical and political ripples, as the pair united to create the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in 1999.  Knowledge is The Beginning chronicles Barenboim and Said’s efforts at furthering peaceful coexistence by bringing together young musicians from all sides of the divide to join forces in what will hopefully foreshadow future achievements in the Middle East.

Monday, March 24, 2008
7:30pm
Staged Reading: Sow and Weep
By Nitzan Halperin
Directed by M. Bevin O'Gara
Both Iman Zayd and Talia Liphshitz must decide how best to honor their families, their culture and their own beliefs.  Sow and Weep is an intimate look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, told from each side of the battle line.  This work was developed as part of the Boston University School of Theatre's New Play Initiative.

Sunday, March 30, 2008
5:30pm
Panel Discussion: “Art as Documentary vs. Art as Response”
Moderator: Melia Bensussen
Panelists: Noit Banai, Ayelet Bechar, Barbara Grossman, Ibrahim Miari, and Samir Srouji

Monday, March 31, 2008
7:30pm
Staged Reading: House, Divided
By Larry Loebell
Directed by Bobbie Steinbach
Two Jewish brothers, estranged by decades of religious and political disagreement, are unintentionally reunited when their sons make surprising life choices that couldn’t be more different than their fathers’.  House, Divided shows us the consequences of letting politics run thicker than blood.

All events, including Panelists, are subject to change.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Watertown Cultural Council.