Seven Loaves Inc

Please join GOH Productions and 55B Productions in proudly supporting the U.S. premiere of THE HORSE OF JENIN - a play written and performed by acclaimed Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada in collaboration with Troupe Courage of Amsterdam.

This compelling and thought provoking solo show will be presented by La MaMa from January 9–12, 2025, as part of the 20th Anniversary of the Under the Radar Festival.

During a time when media largely dictates public perception of what is happening in Palestine, Alaa shares a firsthand account of his experience. The Horse of Jenin tells the extraordinary story of a giant horse sculpture built from the wreckage of bombed-out homes and cars in the aftermath of a 2002 invasion. Created by local Palestinians in collaboration with German artist Thomas Kilpper, the sculpture stood as a symbol of freedom and resilience, commemorating an ambulance destroyed during the First Intifada while transporting the wounded. Positioned at the entrance of the Jenin refugee camp, the horse became a community landmark—until it was unceremoniously removed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2023.

Alaa investigates: What happened to the horse? Was it arrested? Did they put it in jail? And did it tell the story of what happened to his best friend Ahmed? Using theatrical imagination, Shehada rebuilds the horse as a towering metaphor for resistance, resilience, and the power of collective memory.

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AND WILL DIRECTLY COVER EXPENSES FOR THE PRODUCTION.

Alaa Shehada is an actor and comedian who was educated at The Freedom Theatre Acting School in Jenin, Palestine, a company nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in February 2024. Alaa is a co-founder of The Palestine Comedy Club, a core member of Troupe Courage in Amsterdam, and a “Doctor-Clown” with Red Noses International. He toured extensively in the USA and Australia with Amir Nizar Zuabi’s Grey Rock (UTR 2020), a play about love and dreams in Palestine. He is a recipient of a Jury Award at the International Festival of Liberal Theatre in Jordan, Best Show at the Palestinian National Theatre Festival 2018, and Best Script Co-Writer 2019 for London Jenin.

THE HORSE OF JENIN was originally produced by Troupe Courage in Amsterdam. The U.S. premiere is presented by La Mama and co-produced by GOH Productions in collaboration with 55B Productions during Under the Radar Festival 2025 from January 9-12, 2025. Tickets are now on sale:

PURCHASE TICKETS

Thank you for your support!