Seeking Actors in Salem for Street Play About Gaza

Be part of an original play.

If you are in the Salem area and interested in being a part of this exciting project, write to Tim King at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - I am in receipt of an original play that tells a very chilling story of a Palestinian family, set in the scope of a single evening. A fairly brief play, it explains not only the heart wrenching tragedy of life and death in Gaza; but also the desire for people to commit what are known as 'acts of terrorism.'

The script is written and ready to go; it is a work of art for a jagged world so fully brainwashed by Israeli propaganda that it turns a blind eye to war crimes committed by Israel every single day while the other side is constantly berated with the title 'terrorist' as their homes are bombed and bulldozed.

Time for something like this

Our regular readers are aware of what the Israeli military is doing to the civilian population of Gaza, through our constant reports from people like Ken O'Keefe, who is on the ground there. And they know Israel perpetrates these international crimes primarily with weapons manufactured by Americans and provided by U.S. taxpayers.

But the vast majority of Americans do not realize and believe that somehow Israel's deadly violence is all an act of "security" against "terrorists" when in fact the Israeli Defence Forces routinely target civilians with rockets fired from safe ground.

This play will help people understand how and why the intense retaliation from suicide bombers takes place. Education is key and the play will be a typical 'day in the life' scenario for far too many families, many of whom no longer exist because of Israel's 'allowed' brutality.

Requirements

The requirements for this play are fairly minimal.

I believe the set will go together in a random outdoor location in ten minutes or less and break down more quickly. The play will be conducted in a street guerrilla style and I predict its length to be around twenty minutes or so, I have not timed it yet but look forward to hearing people read the parts and getting familiarized.

All people involved will do so as volunteers and while actors act, I do only plan to work with people who have an understanding of the political events that the play centers around. I am looking for passion and for people who can express the points of this excellent, relatively short play with real sincerity.

To say one looks 'Palestinian' is difficult, as Palestine is comprised of people of every shade of skin and hair color, but I think we are looking for black haired, dark complected people for these roles. An Arab appearance is the goal, and many Hispanic people have a very similar appearance. I will be open minded with regard to all of this, however ideally the actors will convincingly look and sound Palestinian.

I think that if and when we have more than one person who qualifies for a role, that we will utilize each who is good and that way we could perhaps get actors up and performing the play in different areas.

Multi Media World

I have never produced a play but I have a good visual sense and I can tell you that I have the vision on this. The play was specifically placed in my hands because the playwright believed I could take it and make it into something and I agree.

As already mentioned, I propose this as a street play, rather than an organized event performed in a traditional fashion, at a traditional venue. I believe we can set this 'room' up and with the use of props, have a set that we can quickly set up and break down.

I'm not going to go too far into the description of events. If and when I am contacted by people who believe they can fill the roles, I will explain the rest of it and I would want to begin working with volunteer set people and actors very quickly. Ideally, we could get this together and take the play to parks and events and then I will write stories here to promote it and add it to YouTube, etc.

- Characters (cast of six):

Sara, Grandmother - old enough to be Abdul's mom.

Abdul Age 40.

Sabreen Wife of Abdul Age 40.

Abu Child of Abdul Age 13.

Mohammad - around 40 years old, age not so important.

Yousef - around 30 years old, age not so important.

Abu is cast as a boy, however I think we this role could be performed by a boy or a girl. The grandmother character needn't be any particular age as long as they can take on the appearance of the character.

I seek help from set builders, and we will need an audio system that produces a number of sounds that is not reliant on 110 electricity. It will produce the sounds of F-16's and explosions that are taking place outside of the room or set.

Set:

Setting is one room, sparse, utilitarian, one unmade bed, three chairs, one table, in the middle of room Chest of drawers on back wall under a blanket covering a window. Chest is three or four drawer, not high, just right for sitting on. A sink is off to one side of the back wall.

These are the props called for by the playwright and I think they are all easy to attain.

I suppose it will be best to work with people here in Salem, but anyone in other relatively close parts of Oregon, will be welcome to participate if they can.

The play - tentatively titled: 'The Prison Called Gaza' will be dedicated to the memory of all Palestinians alive and dead, and to the late Vittorio 'Vik' Arrigoni who wrote stories for Salem-News.com, and was a world champion activist, cut down in his prime because he rallied for the oppressed, occupied people of Gaza. It will honor the resistance that he represented to oppression and occupation that is ruining this world and soiling the reputation of the United States.

If anyone reading this is unfamiliar, you can read about my past in the bio below, and also visit the staff page to read more extensive information about my background. I have produced television programs and stories for over 20 years, and I believe that background will be especially helpful.

Read stories by Tim King published on Salem-News.com, in chronological order

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Tim King: Salem-News.com Editor and Writer

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 82 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com