Returning to the Stage: My Journey with Welcome to Gaza

By Haya Orouq

Standing inside El-Jesuit Theater in Cairo as part of the Welcome to Gaza performance was a moment that felt both new and deeply familiar. It was not just another project for me — it was a return to something that has lived inside me for many years.

Today, I work with the Hands Up Project as an administrative assistant and social media manager. But before that, I was a student. I joined Hands Up in 2018, and from the very beginning, theatre became one of the most powerful forces in shaping my confidence and my English language.

Remote theatre and acting were not just activities — they were transformative experiences. In 2019, I had the opportunity to travel to Al-Hakawati Theatre in Jerusalem, where I performed my play The Shadow Girl. The following year, I performed in another play, On My Home. Those moments strengthened my voice, my presence, and my belief in storytelling as a tool for change.

So being part of Welcome to Gaza here in Cairo felt like coming full circle.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this journey was reconnecting with the director, Raeda Ghazala, after eight years. Meeting her again in a new chapter of my life was incredibly powerful. Working alongside the talented girls — Shaza, Hala, Hala, Hala and Rawan — was equally inspiring. Their dedication, emotion, and strength on stage reminded me why theatre matters so much.

Although I deeply wanted to act in this performance, my final exams made it impossible. It was not an easy decision. But I was determined to be part of the project in any way I could. I took responsibility for aspects of the production, including preparing and adding the English subtitles. In doing so, I found another way to contribute creatively and meaningfully to the performance.

Welcome to Gaza was more than a show. It was memory, identity, resilience, and hope brought to life on stage. For me personally, it was a reminder that even when our roles change — from student to staff member, from actor to producer — our passion remains.

The stage will always feel like home to me. And this experience reminded me that no matter where life takes us, theatre continues to bring us back to ourselves.