THE HORSE OF JENIN
Directed by Unknown
“The horse in Arabic is a symbol of freedom. But to us, this horse is much more. This horse is us.” Built from the debris of a major invasion, the Horse of Jenin sculpture became a constant presence in Alaa’s life growing up in Occupied Palestine. It stood proudly in the center of the city for twenty years, symbolizing hope and resistance. Then, on October 29, 2023, an Israeli bulldozer entered the city, ripping the sculpture from its place — and from its people. Now, Alaa is left wondering… What happened to the horse? Fresh from an acclaimed run at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and combining storytelling, mask, and stand-up comedy, The Horse of Jenin is constructed from the fragments of Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada’s own memories and stands as an ode to the power of imagination and the resilience it brings. New York Theatre Workshop initially planned to present in-person performances of The Horse of Jenin as part of the IN THE BRICKS Festival. In November 2025, playwright and performer Alaa Shehada was detained by Customs and Border Patrol while attempting to enter the U.S. on his valid O1-B visa, granted to individuals recognized for extraordinary ability in the arts. He was denied entry and returned to Amsterdam. The U.S. has since issued a ban on entry for individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority documentation. New York Theatre Workshop, PlayCo, and 55B Productions, along with Studio Theatre and the Laboratory for Global Performance & Politics (DC), Golden Thread Productions and Crowded Fire Theater (San Francisco), and Dunya Productions and Donkeysaddle Projects (Seattle) remain committed to ensuring Palestinian voices are not silenced and that audiences can experience The Horse of Jenin. Screenings of the show will be presented in lieu of live performances.