Breaking the occupation of the mind. The Freedom Theatre and Palestinian youth empowerment

Abstract

This study seeks to bring focus to the youth`s of The Freedom Theatre and their perspectives on theatre, in particular The Freedom Theatre, vis – a – vis cultural resistance and its impacts on their life. In order to do so, this thesis draws on reflection given by previous students who work at the Theatre. In this way, by tapping into the previous students’ reflections who now work at the theatre, this study hopes to create better and fuller understanding of the phenomenon of non violent (cultural) resistance in relation to the theatre and The Freedom Theatre`s impact on the previous students’ identity and sense of self. The study`s position is that, in order to understand The Freedom Theatre`s impact on its youth members and its relation to cultural resistance, it is necessary to elucidate the issue at the level of individual. The research seeks to achieve this by getting first-hand knowledge from the students’ themselves.