Alaa Shehada is a theatre maker actor and comedian. A graduate of The Freedom Theatre Acting School in Jenin Refugee Camp, a company nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in February 2024. 

 

As a co-founder of The Palestine Comedy Club, Alaa has developed a platform for Palestinian comedians to share their stories, humor, and culture. Shehada is a Clown Doctor with Red Noses International in the West Bank, leads theatre workshops for women and children in and outside of Palestine, as well as being a member of  Troupe Courage in Amsterdam as a mask actor. His new comedy solo show, The Horse of Jenin, is a moving and humorous look at his upbringing in Jenin.

 

He has performed in the USA, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Turkey and the UK.  He’s worked with the directors Amir Nizar Zubi, Di Trevis and Katrien Van Beurden; and recently performed with comedian Bassem Youssef and held a TEDx London talk with comedian Nish Kumar.