Return to Palestine

Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Director: Micaela Miranda

Performers: Alaa Shehadeh, Ameena Adileh, Gráinnemir Abualrob, Mahmoud Abu Aita, Osama Al Azzeh, Maryam Abu Khaled

Musicians: Saied Silbak & Nuno Brito

Producers: Gráinnemir Abualrob, Micaela Miranda & Marcela Parducci

Lighting Designer: Eoin Winning, John Gunning

Sound Engineer: Noel Dicker

Production Manager: Marie Tierney

Stage Manager: Mary Friel

Costume Facilitator: Nadia Mohamed

Micaela Miranda is a director, theatre maker, movement specialist practitioner and teacher. Currently the Head of Movement at LAMDA, Micaela has extensive experience in challenging actors in their physical storytelling and transformation for the stage and screen. As an artist, Micaela is a physically driven director, movement director and an associate of the International mask company Troupe Courage and The Freedom Theatre in Palestine. Between 2008 and 2017, Micaela was the director of The Freedom Theatre School that offered the first professional actor training in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Micaela directs plays that are inherently embodied, political and tell stories of human condition. Her passion lies in supporting voices that are currently dehumanised and tell their stories with virtuosic skill to create impact. Micaela truly believes in the power of theatre and film to make a change in the world wide subconscious and she uses her technical and artistic skills to serve positive radical transformation of the world.

Maryam Abu Khaled is a Palestinian actor, theatre-maker, and activist whose fearless artistry is making waves on stage and screen. A graduate of The Freedom Theatre Acting School in Jenin, Maryam quickly rose to prominence as one of the lead actresses in The Freedom Theatre’s celebrated *Alice in Wonderland*, directed by the co-founder and artistic director Juliano Mer Khamis. Her unforgettable performance as the Red Queen left audiences spellbound and showcased her gift for bold, complex characters.

Maryam’s creative journey spans continents and mediums. Her latest film credit, Oscar short-listed “Palestine 36” cements her reputation as a dynamic force in international cinema. Whether performing in Palestine, across Europe, or on the big screen, Maryam brings radical vulnerability, presence, and truth to every role.

Beyond her performances, Maryam is a passionate advocate for Palestinian rights and women’s empowerment, leading workshops that inspire creative resistance and self-expression. Her commitment to telling untold stories and building brave spaces for dialogue makes her a beacon for the next generation of artists and activists.

Alaa Shehada is a trailblazing Palestinian actor and comedian who’s revolutionizing the landscape of Palestinian performance art. As co-founder of The Palestine Comedy Club and core member of Troupe Courage in Amsterdam, Alaa has been instrumental in creating vital platforms for Palestinian stories to reach global audiences. Through The Palestine Comedy Club, he has jumpstarted the Palestinian comedy scene, empowering comedians to share their unique perspectives while preserving and promoting Palestinian culture in the global entertainment landscape.

His current touring masterpiece “The Horse of Jenin” exemplifies his exceptional ability to merge comedy with profound storytelling. Through mask work and stand-up comedy, he tells the story of a boy in Jenin who, like children everywhere, just wants to play. The show centers around a powerful symbol – a 5-meter tall horse statue built from invasion debris in 2002, standing proud for 20 years before being torn down in 2023. Through comedy and imagination, Alaa rebuilds this horse from fragments of memory and hope.

A graduate of The Freedom Theatre Acting School in Jenin, his impact extends from bringing joy as a doctor clown in Palestinian hospitals to performing at prestigious venues worldwide, including Theatre Royal Stratford, LaMaMa Theatre (NYC), and The John Kennedy Centre (DC).

A Dublin-based Palestinian artist who brings their unique voice to the ensemble.Through their multifaceted practice as an actor, writer, and workshop facilitator, Gráinnemir weaves powerful narratives that explore Palestinian identity through a queer lens. Their work bridges cultures between Ireland and Palestine, proving that storytelling transcends borders and breaks down barriers. Their approach to physical theatre and storytelling embodies the resilient spirit that art cannot be suppressed by oppression. Now, they bring their powerful presence and perspective to our Dublin stage. Gráinnemir is a graduate of The Freedom Theatre School and the Artistic Director of Cairde Amharclann na Saoirse, in Éirinn (Friends of the Freedom Theatre Ireland).

Ameena Adileh is a Palestinian actress, dancer, and multidisciplinary theatre artist

Ameena’s work spans acting, choreography, and creative direction, with over ten theatre productions under her belt. She has graced stages in Palestine, the UK, and France, showcasing her talent at renowned venues including the Palestinian National Theatre, Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris), and multiple international festivals.

A versatile screen actor, her filmography includes compelling roles in “An Ode to Amina”, “Ornina and the Ghoula”and “Six Days War”.

As a professional Dabke dancer and choreographer with Siwar Association and Nabad, she has brought Palestinian dance to audiences across Morocco, Jordan, Iraq, and the UK.

Osama Al Azza is a powerful Palestinian storyteller and theatre maker whose journey embodies the transformative power of art. Born and raised in Azza Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, occupied West Bank, Osama’s artistic path began with dabke, the heartbeat of Palestinian cultural expression. This foundation in traditional dance evolved into a profound talent for dramatic storytelling, that he developed in his training at The Freedom Theatre school – leading him to become a compelling voice in contemporary theatre.

With over a decade of experience, Osama has dedicated his craft to community theatre and social engagement, using performance as a tool for change and connection. Now based in London, he brings this rich tapestry of experience and cultural heritage to our stage

Mahmoud Abu Aita is a gifted Palestinian actor, songwriter, and workshop facilitator whose creativity and compassion are making a real impact on and off the stage.

A 2022 graduate of The Freedom Theatre Acting School in Jenin Refugee Camp, Mahmoud’s artistry is deeply rooted in both performance and music. He brings a unique blend of storytelling and songwriting to his work, captivating audiences with his powerful stage presence and heartfelt lyrics.

Beyond his acting and film credits, Mahmoud is passionate about empowering youth through the arts. He recently directed the play “I am 15 years old,” with The Freedom Theatre’s youth company: a moving exploration of what it means to come of age amidst displacement and the ongoing reality of ethnic cleansing in Jenin Camp. His commitment to telling authentic stories and supporting young people shines through in every project he undertakes.

Nuno Brito brings rhythm and innovation to “Return to Palestine”. A versatile artist who has performed at prestigious venues including BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, and Barbican Centre, Nuno brings his unique musical sensibility to our production. His remarkable journey spans from Venice Art Biennale to Glastonbury, creating soundscapes that transcend borders.

As a pioneer in water percussion techniques through his groundbreaking “H2drOp” research, and composer for contemporary dance and film, Nuno brings both innovation and artistic depth to our ensemble. His expertise in African rhythms, Samba drumming, and orchestral percussion creates a rich tapestry of sound that will transport audiences through our story.

Saied Silbak is a Palestinian composer and oud virtuoso. Born in Shafaa’mr in the lower Galilee, Saied’s musical journey began at age four with classical piano, before discovering his true calling in the oud during his teens. This transition opened a gateway to exploring the profound depths of Arabic music.

His remarkable musical evolution took him from training and teaching at Beit Almusica Conservatoire to studying Music and Psychology at University of Haifa, culminating in a Masters from the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Saied’s signature sound is a masterful fusion of diverse musical traditions – from Arabic, Turkish, and Indian to Western classical styles. His artistry has graced festivals and concert series across the globe, from the UK to Argentina, Morocco to France, each performance weaving together cultural threads into a tapestry of sound.

Now based in London, he brings this rich musical heritage to ‘Return to Palestine’, creating a live soundscape that bridges worlds and touches hearts.

A physically driven director and movement specialist, Micaela Miranda’s journey with The Freedom Theatre began in 2008. As Director of The Freedom Theatre School (2011-2017), she created the groundbreaking curriculum of Theatre and Cultural Resistance, from which many talented Palestinian actors have graduated. Her extensive work in Palestine includes collaborations with Yes Theatre in Hebron and Alkasabeh School in Ramallah and many others throughout the Occupied territories. She continues her connection with The Freedom Theatre as Creative Associate, and is now part of the Palart Collective carrying forward the legacy of theatre as a tool for transformation and cultural resistance.

Her original production of “Return to Palestine” was born from stories gathered in refugee camps through years of playback theatre, creating a powerful narrative about a Palestinian-American discovering his homeland. Other directing credits include “Animal Farm” and “Suicide Note from Palestine” (co-directed with Nabil Alraee).

Currently Head of Movement at LAMDA and founder of The Circle Workshops, she creates brave spaces for artists to explore movement, clowning, and storytelling. Her methodology emphasizes purpose, humanity, and the power of theatre, movement and storytelling to transform both performers and audiences.

The Freedom Theatre, based in Jenin Refugee Camp, is a cultural hub dedicated to fostering artistic expression and cultural resistance. It engages particularly the young generation, providing them with theatre tools to navigate the challenges of life under occupation. By staging original productions, The Freedom Theatre reflects, comments upon, and challenges contemporary Palestinian society. Through initiatives like the Theatre School, it nurtures creativity and resilience, empowering individuals to voice their stories and advocate for change.

Co-founded by Juliano Mer Khamis and Zakaria Zubeidi, the theatre’s commitment to cultural resistance makes it a beacon of hope and transformation in the region.

Cairde Amharclann na Saoirse, in Éirinn (Friends of the Freedom Theatre Ireland), exists to support and promote the work and repertoire, vision, legacy and ethos of The Freedom Theatre (Jenin, Palestine) by creating common spaces in Ireland through the practice of cultural resistance for cultural exchange, skill sharing and using cultural resistance as an empowerment tool for the Oppressed. Led by Palestinian-Irish artist Gráinnemir Abualrob as Artistic Director, a graduate of The Freedom Theatre.