Atelier @ Theaterlab Hosts
DEAR LAILA
Created by Basel Zaraa
Palestine — N.Y.C. Premiere
PlayCo is proud to present Dear Laila, from Palestinian artist Basel Zaraa, at Stand4 Gallery (414 78th St, Brooklyn), Salam Arabic Church (414 80th St, Brooklyn), and Theaterlab (357 W 36th St. 4th floor).
Basel Zaraa is a UK-based artist born in the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, where his family lived after being exiled from Palestine in 1948. He is the second generation of his family to be born and grow up as a refugee outside Palestine. Zaraa created this installation in response to his young daughter Laila’s questions about his now-destroyed childhood home. Unable to take her there, he decided he would bring the place to her.
In Dear Laila, Zaraa addresses his daughter, recalling sights and sounds of his childhood home via Walkman audio that audiences listen to over headphones—placing them in the perspective of a child having a parent’s precarious past gently explained to them.
Attendees enter the 15-minute experience alone, sitting face-to-face with a detailed miniature of Zaraa’s former home as they encounter a story of displacement suffused with memories of joy, family, and the beauty of community. The recorded audio in Dear Laila will be available to audience members in English and Arabic.
Dear Laila presentations at Salam Arabic Church (April 22-25) and Theaterlab (April 27-May 3) will also exhibit selected works from the New York Pavilion of the Gaza Biennale, a collective of artists from Gaza formed that challenges the art field to reckon with the weight of the ongoing genocide, presents a model of resilience, and fulfills a desperate need to recognize the depth and complexity of human life.
Production Manager
Brian Freeland
Company & House Manager
Cerulean Long
PERFORMANCES
Monday, April 27 – 15 minute entrance times available from 12pm-3:20pm
Wednesday, April 29 – 15 minute entrance times available from 12pm-9:00pm
Thursday, April 30 – 15 minute entrance times available from 12pm-9:00pm
Friday, May 1 – 15 minute entrance times available from 12pm-9:00pm
Saturday, May 2 – 15 minute entrance times available from 12pm-9:00pm
Sunday, May 3 – 15 minute entrance times available from 12pm-9:00pm
TICKETS
Theater For Everyone : $10
General Admission : $30
Pay It Forward : $60
True Cost : $100
MEET THE ARTISTS
BASEL ZARAA (Creator)
Basel Zaraa is a UK-based artist born in the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, where his family lived after being exiled from Palestine in 1948. He is the second generation of his family to be born and grow up as a refugee outside Palestine. Zaraa created this installation in response to his young daughter Laila’s questions about his now-destroyed childhood home. Unable to take her there, he decided he would bring the place to her.
FOR PLAYCO
ROBERT G. BRADSHAW …………………………………………….. Executive Producer
CAROLINA ĐỖ ……………….. Associate Director for Community Engagement
KATE LEOWALD …………………………………………………………..Founding Producer
DURRA LEUNG ……………………….Interim Business Manager & Line Producer
OLIVIA SARGENT……………………………………………………Development Manager
ECHO SHEN……………………………………………………….. Artistic & Literary Intern
SHER JAMAL STONE……………… Communications and Community Manager
COVID-19 policy: In guidance with the city and state COVID-19 policies, we will no longer be requiring masks, but strongly recommend them.