After years of bloody conflict, Israel and Palestine are closer than ever to achieving a definitive peace agreement, but it is all contingent upon the release of Jacob, a young Israeli soldier who has been held captive inside the Gaza Strip for six years. Rather than rejoicing over the possibility of peace and his long-awaited freedom to return home, he refuses to leave. What appears to be a case of Stockholm syndrome unfolds into a perilous situation as Jacob holds a dark secret that could rupture the peace process and, unbeknownst to him, jeopardize his own life.

My Gaza 'tis of Thee takes a critical look at the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine with a focus on the loss of innocence in a violent society, the need for atonement and how individuals can be uprooted by high politics.

Creative Team

Written by Alex Rubin and Jivesh Parasram
Directed by Jivesh Parasram

Performed by Brendan Brady, Tom Arthur Davis, Ashlee Erron, Janina Kowalski, Robert LaRonde, Robert Renda, & Alex Rubin. 

Projection Design by Cameron Davis
Lighting Design by Linn Farley
Sound Design by Mike Conley
Costume Design by Eva Hoekstra
Set & Prop Design, Fight Choreography by Krista Rogue Benjamin
Assistant Set & Prop Design by Peter Horswill

Assistant Direction/Dramaturgy by Michael Orlando
Production Assistant: Una Ruud Saxvik
Stage Managed by Christopher Ross

Originally Produced by Pandemic Theatre in association with UC Drama (University of Toronto)
Produced by Jivesh Parasram

Production History

September 2010 • Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse • Toronto, ON