Rand is a Palestinian theatre facilitator and scholar who has delivered theatre workshops for youth in Palestine for the UNDP. In Aotearoa, he has led teaching and creative projects engaging with prison, aged-care, and street communities. Most recently he directed 'Asra: Stories of Palestinian Prisoners' (2024) at The Basement Theatre as part of the Auckland Fringe Festival. In 2023, he co-directed 'Un-Welfare State' for Hobson Street Theatre Company, a documentary theatre production exploring the welfare system in Aotearoa. In 2019, he directed 'Ngā Pātū Kōrero: Walls that Talk' (2019), a documentary theatre production using masks exploring wellbeing in prison that was staged at Auckland Prison, Paremoremo. In 2017, he directed 'Puppet Antigone' at Auckland Prison using Bunraku-style puppets. Rand’s day job is as a lecturer at Massey University.
Iwi affiliation
Palestinian. Family are from Jerusalem.
Rohe
I live in Tāmaki Makaurau on the North Shore.
Asra: Stories of Palestinian Prisoners
Artform: Documentary Theatre
Development Status: Asra premiered as a work in progress at the Basement Theatre as part of the 2024 Auckland Fringe Festival. We are planning a further creative development phase before organising a tour in 2025.
Media Uploads
Trailer
Synopsis
Despite thousands of Palestinians being arrested under the Israeli occupation, we hear little about the stories of Palestinian prisoners and how they endure and resist Israel’s carceral system. Using puppetry and audience participation, this documentary theatre production explores the experiences of Palestinian prisoners and the importance of thaqafah (ثقافة) or culture, and the sharing of literature, poems, and songs as practices of resistance and liberation.
Creative Team and Crew
Directed by Rand Hazou
Performed by Acacia O'Connor, Ahmed Youssef, and Rand Hazou
Puppet fabrication and direction by Paul Lewis
Musical direction by Eva-Maria Ghannam
Produced and Stage Managed by Ariana Williams
Lighting Design by Jazmin Whittall
Number of People in the Touring Party
6
Previous Seasons
The Basement Theatre as part of the 2024 Auckland Fringe Festival
Reviews and Quotes
“Heavy matters presented with incredible restraint and precision.”
“Anyone looking to utilise art to help hold space for the world’s grief in their body, I highly recommend going to see this show Asra”
“Thank you for last night and this beautiful emotional show.”
“Stories & voices that deserve to be heard.”
“Absolutely incredible and powerful performance. Highly recommend.”
“Surreal, but grounding. Incredible.”
Technical Rider & International Touring Info (if applicable)
- View/download document #1 here
