A Life Made of Wood

Theatrical performance by Maya Omaya Keesh and Siwar Awad

Based on the works of Sheikha Hlewa

In “A Life Made of Wood,” we explore the continuous attempt to seek satisfaction within a personal and imagined social framework. Through the deconstruction of the presented characters, we track their choices and circumstances to question the extent of personal freedom—particularly that of women.

On stage, the actress performs inside a closed space that is determined by pre-planned movement. She attempts to carry out her work in the best way possible while fully committing to the rules of the theatrical performance. We place the act of trying to please within a performative laboratory, asking: If frameworks are an essential part of our identities and our need to belong—are they breakable? Is accepting frameworks and submitting to them an act of surrender, or is there an achievable space between full acceptance and rebellion?

Language: Arabic, English subtitles

Performance: Maya Omaya Keesh

Artistic Accompaniment: Siwar Awad

Lighting: Muhammad Shahin

Music: Khalil Al Batran

Décor: Ahmad Asaad

Production: Al Saraya Theater - Jaffa