Al Harah Theater: A Voice for Theatre & Culture in Palestine

Al Harah is a theatre company for children and young people which began in Bethlehem in 2005. Our mission is to use the medium of theatre to cultivate an inclusive and empowering atmosphere where individuals from varied backgrounds can flourish and articulate themselves. Al Harah is committed to safeguarding, advocating for, and fostering partnerships with individuals from diverse demographics across Palestine, the UK, and globally.

Specifically, we prioritize children, young people, women, people with disabilities, as well as artists and technicians within the performing arts sector. Firmly rooted in our belief in the transformative potential of theatre and performing arts, we aim to inspire positive change in both creators and audiences.

Al Harah Theater's work at the moment concentrates on safe spaces for children, women and people with disability in the West Bank and supporting artists in Gaza to work with children in displacement centers.

Working with traumatised children is an urgent need at the moment. Al Harah urgently needs this support to be able to continue its work in the community.

Read more at https://alharah.org/

Watch a short film about Al Harah here

How this fundraiser started:

In June and July 2024, Marina Barham, General Director of Al Harah Theater, spoke in venues across the UK, sharing the powerful story of their impactful work in Palestine, and the role of theatre in helping children, young people and the community overcome trauma. The events provided an opportunity for UK audiences to hear firsthand from a Palestinian activist in the cultural sector and for the establishment of new partnerships and collaborations.

Marina's tour of the UK coincided with the foundation of Shining Stars: Friends of Al Harah Theater/Bethlehem CIC which will support Al Harah to create and tour theatre productions, education workshops, and to foster exchanges, benefiting artists, audiences, and communities in Palestine and the UK.

Marina Barham is co-founder and General Director of Al-Harah Theater and has been an active cultural operator in Palestine, the Middle East and Europe since 1998. She was President of the Palestinian Performing Arts Network from 2019-2021. Alongside producing theatre productions, for the last 23 years, she has managed international, regional & local tours and Euro Med Projects, and curated Palestine International Theater Festival for Children & Youth, Yalla Yalla Street Festival and Bethlehem Site-Specific Theatre Festival in Palestine.

This fundraiser was originally set up to cover the costs of Marina's tour to the UK. Any additional funding will go directly to Al Harah's work in Palestine.

Update 9th September 2024. Thank you!

Al Harah Theater would like to thank you all for donating towards the tour of Marina Barham. Your donations helped cover the tour costs and also some activities for Al Harah Theater in addition to supporting some artists.

From September 2024 onwards, this gofundme will be supporting "Shining Stars: Friends of Al Harah Theater/Bethlehem"

The mission of "Shining Stars" is to support and grow the work of Bethlehem Al Harah Theatre, with opportunities for people based in the UK to donate, join the mailing list, organise fundraisers and support Al Harah's work. Perhaps you can use your Christmas gifts to support the work of Al Harah Theater, Bethlehem, the place of birth of Christianity.

Update 18th September 2024

Thank you to the organisers of Stand Up For Al Harah. A night of Satire, Stand-Up - and maybe even a song or two - to raise funds for Friends of Al Harah Theater/Bethlehem CIC. Monday 23rd September at The Stand in Glasgow, doors 7pm. more information here