Tickets

With a mix of stand-up, storytelling, and mask work, Palestinian comedian Alaa Shehada tells the story of coming of age and coming to art under the watch of the Horse of Jenin: a giant sculpture created from the rubble of a major invasion of Jenin in 2003. Alaa leads the audience from his PlayStation-loving best friend to his disastrous teenage romance, to the time he told his parents he was studying engineering while sneaking a degree in acting—a choice that would take him from Palestine to Amsterdam and beyond. A sold-out hit in the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe and winner of a Fringe First Award, The Horse of Jenin spins the story of a community marked by loss, resilience, and humor.

“One of the most important shows at this year’s Edinburgh festival”

Studio planned to present The Horse of Jenin as a live performance in our 2025-2026 season. In November 2025, playwright and performer Alaa Shehada was unexpectedly detained by Customs and Border Patrol trying to enter the US; he was ultimately denied entry and sent back to his home in Amsterdam. Since then, the United States issued a ban on entry into the US for individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority documentation. Because of this travel ban, Studio is no longer able to present in-person performances of The Horse of Jenin this spring and will screen a recorded performance instead.