The Remote Theatre Competition: A Journey of Resilience.

By Tere Continanza – Argentina.

Having fun doing intercultural Remote Theatre

The Hands Up Project recently announced the winners of the Remote Theatre Competition, a major event in the lives of teachers and young people from Palestine and around the world.

This year's competition was based on a set of short, one-act plays that explore social and political issues. The plays were taken from the recently published book "Doing Remote Theatre" by Nick Bilbrough. This book is a collection of more than 20 plays that were written specifically for remote performance by some of the most respected names in literature, theater, and English language teaching. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for inspiring and engaging plays that can be performed remotely.

Rinan from Gaza and I were some of the teachers participating in the competition, and we had the privilege of working with a group of young girls from Gaza who were rehearsing the play "Ikkyu and the Sweets' ' by David Heathfield. The play is about a naughty teacher who tries to cheat her students, but can the teacher cheat them?

The girls were all very excited about the play, and they were eager to learn about the different aspects of remote theatre.

We met as often as possible, but it wasn't always easy. Ramadan, a trip to England, and the situation in Gaza all made it difficult. But despite all the challenges, they never gave up. In fact, the girls came back to the meetings stronger and more engaged than ever. They showed us how brave and committed the people of Gaza can be. If that's not inspiring, I don't know what is.

One of the most important things I learned from working with these girls is the importance of resilience. Resilience is not just about surviving; it is a way of life for the people of Gaza. The girls in my group faced many challenges in their lives, but they never gave up. They were always willing to try new things, and they never stopped believing in themselves.

The Remote Theatre Competition is about more than just winning a prize. It's about giving young people a safe place to share their stories and connect with others from around the world. It's about showing the world that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

The girls in my group reminded me that everyone has something to contribute, and everyone can be a winner. They reminded me of the importance of working together and supporting each other. They showed me that the journey is the destination, and that the race is the prize.

We are so proud of the girls in my group, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with them. They are an inspiration to us, and I know that they will continue to do great things in the future. 

I think it's important to remember that the journey is often more important than the destination. When we focus on the process of learning and growing, rather than the outcome, we are more likely to experience joy and satisfaction. And when we share our journey with others, the experience is even more meaningful. I'm sure the girls will look back on this time with fondness for many years to come. 

Isn’t it enough of a prize? They have the memories of a shared journey, and the knowledge that they have grown and learned along the way. That is a prize that is truly priceless.

Tere.