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Mizrahi Theatre in Israel: Five Theatrical Modes

Tue, December 18, 10:15 to 11:45am, Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, Cityview 2 Ballroom

Abstract

The presentation critically conceptualizes, for the first time ever, the Mizrahi theatre in Israel. Mizrahim yet are considered a non-hegemonic ethnic group and marginalized in many areas, including in the field of Israeli theatre. Although Mizrahi theatre began to develop in the 1970s, the years since the turn of the millennium have seen an intense flowering of theatrical works by second- and third-generation Mizrahi artists dealing with issues of Mizrahi identity and narrative in a diverse array of forms. In fact, Mizrahi theatre is a cultural locus of self-representation, generally created by Mizrahi artists who deal with content, social experiences, cultural, religious, and traditional foundations, and artistic languages derived from the history and social reality in Mizrahi Jews in both Israel and their Middle Eastern countries of origin. This theatre developed outside the mainstream, although a small number of works have also appeared at the center of the field. The presentation will cover the conceptualization of Mizrahi theatre in Israel, not along a chronological axis but rather through five theatrical modes: Community-based theatre; Professional social theatre; Autobiographical performance; Poetry performance; Jewish-Moroccan theatre.

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