Othello (vs The Military Industrial Complex)

Overview

Awarded the Al-Bustan Award for SWANA Artists and Co-Presented by the Cannonball Festival

Step into a bold and electrifying adaptation of Othello, where the timeless tragedy unfolds and pulsates with the vibrant energy of EDM raves against the backdrop of the increased tensions in the West Bank and Gaza from over 10 years ago.

It’s 2014, and Othello has largely been integrated into Israeli culture after entirely renouncing his Palestinian heritage as a young teenager. However, when he draws the jealousy and hatred of Iago, his past doesn’t let him go.

This innovative reimagining thrusts Othello into the role of a Palestinian ex-Muslim IDF soldier, grappling with identity, loyalty, and unsuccessful assimilation amidst the last deadly military incursion into Gaza. Featuring original composition from Palestinian composer, Fouad Dakwar, Philadelphia’s youngest and greatest talents, as well as verbatim affidavits from Palestinian political prisoners, Othello’s caustic unraveling is coming to the Icebox Project Space this September.

 

About the Artist

Zaina Yasmin Dana is a Palestinian Director/Creator in Philadelphia. She is the founder and the Resident Director of Eat Purple Theater Co., a new theater-making collective in the city. She served as the Associate Producer with Suli Holum / The Work, a theater company/incubator for new, exciting performance work in Philadelphia and is a part of Roundabout Theater's 6th Director's Group Cohort. In the past, she's worked with Seth Rozin to direct the world premiere American Fast by Kareem Fahmy (Barrymore Nomation for Outstanding Original Production) as well as developed R3TURN: A Palestinian Pop-Punk Musical with Fouad Dakwar and Johann Johann: thee wurst dinner partie part of the 2023 Cannonball Festival. In June 2024, she was named among Arab America's 30 under 30.

Credits