The Olive Tree is a one-woman performance by Maren Rosenberg exploring her privilege as a Jewish-American woman living and working in Palestine. The play helps us better understand the complex conflict in the region and the personal stories behind the headlines. Rather than focusing on the inherent tragedy, the performance tackles this critical humanitarian issue with humor and heart. 

Uprising’s founder (director of this production) and SAIC faculty member, Iymen Chehade, calls this performance “a testament to the will and spirit of the Palestinian people.” Chehade will be moderating a discussion following the performance, where he and Rosenberg will be available to answer questions and allow the audience to further explore the topics addressed in the production. 

Maren is a Jewish American theatermaker based in Chicago. Starting in 2009, she has been closely connected with the Palestinian theater and arts scene. Maren joined Uprising Theater as Co-Artistic Director in 2019. Learn more about Maren Rosenberg.

Iymen is a Palestinian-American actor, theater artist, social activist, and a Professor of History at the School of the Art Institute Chicago and Columbia College Chicago. In 2014 Iymen founded Uprising Theater to ensure that the voices of the people of Palestine and others who are marginalized will always have a safe and uncensored in Chicago. Learn more about Iymen Chehade