Conversation with Ahmed Tobasi of The Freedom Theatre and Alexandra Aron of Remote Theater Project

Alexandra Aron is a director and producer and the Founder/Producing Director of the Remote Theater Project (RTP), dedicated to international and intercultural work. With RTP she commissioned and developed Amir Nizar Zuabi’s GREY ROCK which premiered at LaMaMa in 2019 and toured the US (Under the Radar, Guthrie, Kennedy Center) in 2020. She has directed dozens of world premieres in NYC, at regional theaters, and internationally present including: A Night in the Old Marketplace, music by Frank London, lyrics by Glen Berger ( São Paulo, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Toronto, Milan, MASS MoCA…) She is directing the upcoming production of Mulberry Tree by Hanna Eady and Ed Mast for Loose Change Productions in Spring 2023. A life-long arts educator, she was the recipient of a Fulbright Grant to Argentina in 2005-2006 and is a graduate of Wesleyan University. www.alexandraaron.com

Ahmed Tobasi is an actor, director and educator with experience working in Palestinian & international theatres. Born in a Jenin refugee camp in Palestine, he joined the armed resistance during the invasion of the camp in 2002 and became a political prisoner at 17. Upon his release 4 years later, he began his journey using culture as a form of resistance. After 2 years studying at The Freedom Theatre, he undertook further education in Norway, followed by a 3-year professional career abroad. Returning to Palestine in 2014 he contributes to the local artistic movement, and is particularly interested in creating art with and for the younger generations. His most production And Here I Am based on his life and written by Hassan Abdulrazzak was funded by AFAC. It has toured across Palestine to over 20 venues as well as to Britain, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Emirates and Norway.