Ashtar for Theatre Productions and Training عشتار لإنتاج وتدريب المسرح

What Ashtar for Theatre Productions and Training عشتار لإنتاج وتدريب المسرح does

Ashtar for Theatre Productions and Training is a Palestinian non-profit cultural organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Ramallah, with additional operational presence in Gaza and a correspondence address in Jerusalem. The organization's core offering is built on Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed methodology, delivered through four primary programs: professional theatre productions addressing social and political themes, a 4-year Drama Training Program for Palestinian youth aged 14-18, interactive Forum Theatre performances (including works such as House of Yasmine, The Right and the Bracelet, and Machine and Hammer), and recurring International Youth Festivals. It also maintains a publications line featuring Arabic translations of Boal's works and its own monologues projects.

ASHTAR's two signature initiatives — The Gaza Monologues (launched 2010, translated into 18 languages, distributed across 36+ countries, performed by 1,700+ young people) and The Syrian Monologues (launched 2016 with 13 partners in 10 countries) — function as both content franchises and international solidarity platforms. The organization reaches beneficiary segments including Palestinian youth, Syrian refugees (notably through a 2014-2015 partnership with CARE Jordan in Amman), and international audiences via partner theatres such as Schauspiel Hanover, Nottingham Playhouse, and Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network.

The business model is non-commercial, relying primarily on donations (Patreon, GlobalGiving), grant funding (e.g., European Union via DANCHURCH AID for a women's inheritance rights play), sponsorship of training participants, and publications sales. Distribution occurs through direct program delivery across 7 Palestinian cities (Ramallah, Gaza, Jerusalem, Nablus, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jordan Valley) and through international partner performances and biennial festivals. No public pricing exists for programs; the stated headcount is 5 employees and revenue is not disclosed.

Name

Ashtar for Theatre Productions and Training عشتار لإنتاج وتدريب المسرح

Legal name

Ashtar for Theatre Education and Training

Website

https://ashtar-theatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ashtar is a Palestinian non-profit theatre organization founded in 2002 that delivers professional productions, a 4-year youth drama training program, and Forum Theatre workshops using Augusto Boal's methodology, serving Palestinian youth, refugees, and international audiences through programs in Ramallah, Gaza, and partner networks in 10+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Theatre Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE)

Keywords

• Theatre productions
• Drama training programs
• Forum theatre
• Youth performing arts
• Cultural exchange programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ramallah

HQ country

Palestinian Territories

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization accepts donations to support operations and offers sponsorship opportunities for drama training students, allowing supporters to fund individual participants in the 4-year program
2. Publications Sales: Sale of published books including 'The Gaza Monologues' in multiple languages (Arabic, English, German, French), Boal's works in Arabic translation, and theatre-related educational materials

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ASHTAR is an independent Palestinian non-profit theatre organization that produces professional stage productions, delivers a four-year youth drama training program for ages 14–18, and applies Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed methodology in Forum Plays and solidarity initiatives such as The Syrian Monologues and The Gaza Monologues. Its offering extends to international youth festival participation and the publication of applied-theatre books and translations aimed at youth, refugees, marginalized communities, theatre professionals, and institutional partners.

Product overview

ASHTAR Theatre is a Palestinian theatre organization offering professional theatre productions, drama training programs, and community-based Forum Theatre performances. The organization operates programs including a 4-year Drama Training Program for youth aged 14-18, Professional Productions addressing social and political themes, and Theatre of the Oppressed (Forum Plays) that engage audiences in exploring solutions to societal issues. The organization also runs the ASHTAR Theatre International Youth Festival and produces publications including translated works by Augusto Boal and The Gaza Monologues. Through initiatives like The Syrian Monologues and The Gaza Monologues, the organization documents and amplifies refugee voices. The portfolio includes Forum Plays such as 'House of Yasmine', 'The Right and the Bracelet', 'Al-Meryaa Wal-Qourqaa', and 'Machine and Hammer', which cover topics including women's rights, agricultural challenges, and social justice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Syrian Monologues: An international solidarity project where theatre makers from different host communities of Syrian refugees collect and perform monologues written by Syrian refugees about their experiences of fleeing Syria.
• The Gaza Monologues
• ASHTAR Theatre International Youth Festival

Products and services

• Drama Training Program A four-year youth drama training program for Palestinian participants aged 14–18, delivered from ASHTAR's Ramallah and Gaza locations and covering acting, voice, and applied theatre techniques rooted in Boal's methodology.
• The Syrian Monologues A testimonial verbatim-theatre performance project based on interviews with Syrian refugees, produced and toured by ASHTAR in cooperation with partners such as CARE Jordan to raise awareness of the Syrian refugee experience.
• The Gaza Monologues A companion verbatim-theatre performance piece to the Syrian Monologues, presenting first-person accounts of young Palestinians in Gaza, produced by ASHTAR and toured at international festivals and partner theatres.
• Forum Theatre / Theatre of the Oppressed Performances Professional Forum Play productions and interactive theatre-for-social-change performances applying Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed methodology, staged for Palestinian community audiences and visiting international partners.
• ASHTAR Publications (Books and Translations) Original and translated publications on applied theatre, Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed methodology, and ASHTAR's projects, sold via the organization's distribution channels to practitioners, students, and partner organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,700 young people performed The Gaza Monologues
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• CARE JordancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015In 2014, CARE Jordan invited ASHTAR Theatre to initiate a project with Syrian refugees in Amman. ASHTAR worked with 120 refugees, and 20 participated in writing workshops resulting in 22 personal monologues. Some monologues were presented at CARE Jordan's World Refugee Day event in June 2015.
• ARIADNE NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network with partners in UK, USA, Sri Lanka, and Rwanda. One of 13 organizations that joined ASHTAR's international call to support Syrian refugees through The Syrian Monologues project.
• Schauspiel HanovercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman theatre company that joined The Syrian Monologues international solidarity call, performing monologues in Germany as part of the global coordinated performances.
• Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (TENet-Gr)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreece-based theatre and education network participating in The Syrian Monologues project, performing refugee stories in Greece.
• GlobalGivingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partner through which ASHTAR accepts donations for trauma relief projects in Palestine, specifically referenced on their support page.
• YMCA RamallahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with YMCA in Ramallah for the production of 'The Right and the Bracelet' play on women's inheritance rights.
• Karama FestivalsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmman, Jordan festival that hosted The Syrian Monologues performance on December 6th, 2015, performed by refugees who wrote their monologues with CARE Jordan.
• University of Coimbra (Master in Theatre Studies)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese university participating in The Syrian Monologues international solidarity call, performing refugee monologues in Portugal.
• Nottingham PlayhousesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK theatre venue that presented The Syrian Monologues at the Neat 16 Festival on May 18th, 2016.
• Osnabrueck UniversitysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman university that hosted The Syrian Monologues performance on April 7th, 2016 at Lingen campus.
• Theatre de TirroiresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench theatre company in Laval participating in The Syrian Monologues international solidarity project.
• Maison d'Europe et d'OrientsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance-based organization participating in The Syrian Monologues project, promoting European and Oriental cultural exchange.
• Stages Theatre Group/Goethe Institute RwandasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRwandan theatre group partnered with Goethe Institute Rwanda to participate in The Syrian Monologues project.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Augusto Boal's Centre of the Theatre of the Oppressed (CTO Rio): Rio de Janeiro-based organization founded by Augusto Boal that develops and disseminates the Theatre of the Oppressed methodology worldwide. Directly comparable as the originator and largest practitioner of the same methodology ASHTAR specializes in.
• Cardboard Citizens: UK-based professional theatre company using Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed and Forum Theatre with homeless and marginalized communities. Directly comparable in methodology and social-impact mission.
• Borderlands Theatre: Tucson, Arizona-based theatre producing work on immigration, border issues, and Latinx identity. Comparable as a community-anchored theatre company using performance for social justice and cross-border solidarity.
• Mind the Gap: UK-based inclusive theatre company working with learning-disabled and non-disabled performers on professional productions and training. Comparable as a small non-profit combining professional production, structured training programs, and social-impact mission.
• El Teatro Campesino: California-based community theatre founded as part of the farmworkers' movement. Comparable as a non-profit combining social-change theatre with training programs and a long-running festival model.
• The Freedom Theatre: Palestinian theatre company based in Jenin refugee camp using performing arts and film for social change. Directly comparable to ASHTAR as a Palestinian non-profit combining professional productions, youth training, and international solidarity programming in the West Bank.

Emerging players

• Coney (UK): UK-based early-stage theatre company making work with and for audiences in social contexts. Comparable in mission around theatre-as-tool-for-change, though smaller and more UK-centric than ASHTAR's regional network.

Regional players

• Al Hakawati - Palestinian National Theatre: Historical Palestinian theatre company active in Jerusalem. Comparable as a Palestinian non-profit theatre organization, though ASHTAR is more programmatically focused on training and applied social-impact theatre.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ashtartheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ashtar-for-theatre-productions-and-training

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ashtar for Theatre Productions and Training عشتار لإنتاج وتدريب المسرح