Join us at MT Space's regular community gathering event to come together and share.

This February 13th, join us for a special TELL! we are hosting in collaboration with Mada Theatre and the Palestinian Youth Movement. TELL! As Told By Gazans will feature readings from the Gaza Monologues.

About The Gaza Monologues

Published in 2010 by ASHTAR Theatre, the Gaza Monologues speaks the words of thirty-three young people from Gaza, Palestine. Since October 2010 to date, more than 2,000 youth from around the globe in more than 80 cities in 40 countries have presented the monologues that are translated and presented into 18 languages. Gaza is still under siege - since 2006, and the occupation is more brutal than ever; attacking civilians, destroying the land and hindering the life of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.

“The Gaza Monologues will continue to be the voice of the unheard until justice prevails."
Iman Aoun
Artistic Director, ASHTAR Theatre

ASHTAR Theatre performance of "The Gaza Monologues" at IMPACT'13 / MT Space Archive

In 2013, ASHTAR Theatre from Ramallah, Palestine came to IMPACT international theatre festival to perform The Gaza Monologues at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts in Kitchener. A collection of eight of the monologues were performed by four Palestinian youth. ASHTAR Theatre artistic director Iman Aoun was also a panelist on the IMPACT'13 industry conference - Staging Occupation: At the Crossroads of Multiculturalism and Indigeneity. Iman's session spoke on the theme of Occupying Time, asking questions such as, "How do we use our art to 'rewrite' history, and illuminate different perspectives? How do we disrupt the category of the 'historical?'" More than 10 years later, the youths' monologues and conversation around occupation are still horrifically relevant, and must be witnessed by the public.

About TELL!

TELL! is MT Space's coffeehouse style event where we gather the community together, offering folks a platform to share something in a casual setting. These sharings can be performances, stories, lectures, conversations, interviews-- anything that benefits from being shared with a group! Snacks and refreshments will be provided, and we welcome other food offerings.

Anyone is welcome to attend. The event is free, and you can sign-up to perform by registering for a Presenter ticket at the event registration. See below for important information on Presentations.

Photo of a staged reading performance with audience — TELL! March 2023 at Neruda Arts Studio (St Jacobs)

Thinking of contributing a performance? Here's what you need to know:

TELL! is a platform that offers you time and space to share something that you've been working on, like an idea, a script, story, or song, and to receive feedback from an engaged audience of fellow artists and community members. It's also an opportunity to showcase any existing work that you have created and to have an open conversation about it.

At this TELL! event presentations/performances should be on theme- relevant to the Gaza Monologues. We will follow up with an email to ask you to describe your presentation. Priority will be given to visual, musical, and movement-based pieces as we will be hearing several monologues throughout the night. Limit showings to around 5 minutes to leave room for open conversation with the audience. Register only one ticket per duo or group.

This event is low/no tech. Bring anything you may need for your performance/presentation, including any instruments and amps. There will be music stands available.

About the Venue

TELL! will be hosted uptown Waterloo at First United Church - Hilliard Hall (16 William St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 1J3, Canada). Enter the building through the side door connected to the parking lot marked WEEKDAY ENTRANCE (access via Caroline St and William St, around the corner from Valentina Bridal & Couture dress shop).

Parking is available for free on-site (accessible from Caroline St), and next door at the Waterloo Town Square South Parking lot (35 Alexandra Ave, Waterloo).

GRT via the iON (route 301) or by bus (routes 5, 7, 16).