Nabil Al Raee, a leader at The Freedom Theater in Jenin, talks about the theater's founding and its role in resisting oppression through storytelling. Despite challenges like funding and political pressure, Nabil highlights global support and hopes for the future of Palestinian art, freedom, and theater.

This episode is hosted by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Tarwida’s lead producer is Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna.

This conversation was recorded on May 5, 2025.

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.

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Relevant links and Resources:

Learn more about and support The Freedom Theater on their website (https://thefreedomtheatre.org/) and follow them on Instagram (@thefreedomtheater)
Follow Nabil Al Raee on Instagram (@alraee.nabil)
To learn about the history of theater in Palestine you can check out Samer Al-Saber’s book, A Movement’s Promise, and Radi Shehadeh’s book سيرة حكواتي من فلسطين - راضي شحادة
You can read more about their play, The Siege, here
Watch Arna’s Children here to learn more about Arna Mer Khamis
To learn more about one of the founders of The Freedom Theater, Zakaria Zubeidi, you can read this article by the Middle East Eye

The Freedom Theater | Nabil Al Raee