Kennedy Center Presents D.C. Premiere of 'ALIVE FROM PALESTINE' 2/26-2/27

 The Kennedy Center presents the Washington, D.C. premiere of the Al-Kasaba Theater & Cinematheque production of Alive from Palestine: Stories Under Occupation February 26-27, 2009 in the Terrace Theater. The play is part of the three-week long festival, ARABESQUE: Arts of the Arab World and will be presented in Arabic with English surtitles.

Alive from Palestine: Stories Under Occupation was created by Palestinian artists as a response to the conflict in their homeland. These stories of ordinary life lived in extraordinary circumstances give a face to this area of the world.

The production has been performed in 32 international theater festivals in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Spain, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Japan. The play has received several awards including the Five Stars Award at the LIFT Festival in London; the Golden Tanit first prize at Carthage Theatre Days in Tunisia; and the Juries' First Prize and the Audience First Prize at the Orense Theatre Festival in Spain.

General and artistic director of Al- Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque, George Ibrahim began his theatrical life in 1964 in Jordan as an actor and radio producer. In 1967, he founded his first theatrical group in Jerusalem called The Dramatic Arts Group. For 19 years, he produced, acted, adapted, and directed 25 plays for adults and children. During this time, he traveled throughout the country with The Dramatic Arts Group aiming to spread theatrical awareness. In 1986, he founded Al- Kasaba Theater and Cinematheque in Jerusalem. Mr. Ibrahim is a critical leader in the development of theater in Palestine. He was elected president of the Palestinian Actors League from 1989 to 1993. In 1999, he was re-elected for the same position which he maintains at present. In his life as an artist, Mr. Ibrahim wrote 15 plays, adapted 62 plays, and performed in 42. He has performed in 430 television programs for children as a main actor, 25 television drama series, and was a producer and presenter for 12 television talk shows. He has written, acted, and directed 850 radio programs and serials.

Alive from Palestine: Stories Under Occupation is directed by Nizar Zu'bi with lighting design by Sumio Yoshii. The production features Mahmoud Awad, Manal Awad, Ismail Dabbagh, Husam Abu Eisheh, Imad Al Farajin, and Khaled Massou.

From February 23 to March 15, the Kennedy Center presents ARABESQUE: Arts of the Arab World, an unprecedented festival of Arab arts and culture in the United States. Over a span of three weeks, more than 800 Arab artists will grace the Center's stages and public spaces, showcasing the extraordinary traditional and contemporary cultures of the 22 nations that represent the Arabic-speaking world. The festival includes performances of music, dance, theater, film, and spoken word as well as exhibitions featuring art installations, fashion, a soundscape, cuisine, a marketplace, and much more.

Alive from Palestine: Stories Under Occupation is sold out. Please check with the box office for last minute ticket availability. Performances take place February 26-27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater. Tickets are $15-$35 and may be purchased at the Kennedy Center Box Office or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600.

Those patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan calling area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324 or visit our website at www.kennedy-center.org.