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A B O U T " O N E O F A K I N D - A N D A R G A Y " ,

"One of a Kind-And Argay" was originally produced in Hebrew for the HaifaInternational Childrens' Theatre Festival in 2005 and garnered prizes as Bestplay, Best Director, Most Popular Play and Best Actor and Actress. It waspresented throughout Israel by the National Youth Theatre (Teatron Artzi LeNoar). In 2006 it further received the ASSITEJ National awards for excellenceas Best Production, Best Playwright, Most Promising Actor and Best Set Design.This production which comprises one of the only African theatre ensemblesin the world, has become the most acclaimed Ethiopian ensemble in Israel.It has become a major cultural institution In Israel, and a leader among thevery few authentic manifestations of Ethiopian-Jewish culture world-wide.The play depicts the modern day story of a 700 kilometer journey by footof Ethiopian Jews between 1982-1986, from Ethiopian villages to Sudaneserefugee camps, and finally the arrival to their new homeland in Israel- beingthe first Black Jews to inhabit the country. The story follows a family whohears rumors of the secret operation to walk by foot from their village, toJerusalem in Israel. Through this family’s physical and spiritual journey toJerusalem, we experience their struggle for identity, their dreams, and theincredible sacrifice made to achieve them."One of a Kind-And Argay" is a story of Diaspora yet simultaneously both anAfrican and Israeli tale- telling of community, journey, and the rebuilding of ahome in a new land. It touches the hearts of children and adults alike andreminds us, no matter who we are, or where we come from- the importanceof family, home, faith, and dedication.

A B O U T T H E N E P H E S H T H E A T R E

The Nephesh Theatre was founded in 1978 by Howard Rypp and GabrielEmanuel and was the only professional Jewish theatre operating in Canadaat that time. After staging over 40 theatrical and television productions inCanada, the company base was relocated to Israel.Now celebrating 30 years of activity -the over 80 Nephesh Theatre productionsreflect a plurality of beliefs, depicting different communities within Israeli societythat must develop a common language and achieve a mutual respect.This current production of "One of a Kind-And Argay" is a natural continuationof the successful collaboration of the creators with their previous production"It Sounds Better in Amharic" which has been presented 800 times in Hebrewand 150 times in English.The Nephesh Theatre presents over 300 performances a year in Israel andtours throughout North America and Europe, presenting close to 100performances annually abroad. Its current repertory comprises 12 plays inHebrew that explore Jewish themes and social issues, which aim to simultaneouslyentertain and educate. It also offers a repertory of 6 plays in English, whicheither have been translated from the Hebrew repertory or have beendeveloped especially to explore relevant issues that Israel shares with theDiaspora.In 2009 Nephesh Theatre will initiate and produce an International JewishTheatre Festival and Conference in Israel.

A C K N O L E D G E M E N T S

General and Artistic Director - Howard RyppEducational Director and Dramaturge - Beatrice HalOffice Managers - Keren Toplian and Nilly NadavMarketing Abroad - Shelly Guggenheim and Yarden SchneiderMarketing in Israel - Vardit Avidan, Ram Hadad, Tsipi LichtensteinLegal - Jonothan WeingartenAccounting - Ori Eliav

Chairman of the Board - Professor Menachem FischBoard of Directors - Lee Perlman, Ehud Ben Sa'adia, Dr. Shmuel Berger,Gabriel Emanuel, Hadass Laor Asher and Anat Brot.

The Nephesh Theatre is a professional theatre and an active member of theAssociation of Jewish Theatre, ASSITEJ and ELA.Nephesh Theatre is a non-profit organization and receives annual operatingfunding from Israel's Ministry of Culture and the City of Tel Aviv.

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T Sfor the North American tour of "One of a Kind" 2008:

Ofra Ben Yaakov and Yaffa Olivitsky - Kashtum - Israel's Foreign MinistryZavi Apelbaum - Public Affairs-Israel's Foreign MinistryTamar Yaakobi - Cultural Attache at the Israel Consulate in San Fransisco,Amir Gissin - Consulate General of the Israel Consulate inTorontoYoram Morad - Cultural Attache, Renee Schreiber at the Israel Consulate inNew YorkShlomo Mula - Dept. of Zionist Activities - The World Zionist OrganisationYehuda Sharf - Central Region, The Jewish Agency for IsraelAyalet Arad - The Rainbow Project and the UJA Federation of New York

“Flow” - Nightclub Tel Aviv

Nathan and Lindy Jacobson and Magen David MedsJoey Low and Israel at HeartRami Kleinmann and the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew UniversityAviva Reifler and the Jewish National Fund

One of a Kind

By Yossi Vassa & Shai Ben Attar

Translated by Howard RyppDirected by Shai Ben AttarActors: Tehitina Assefa, Mahareta Baruch, Shai Fredo,Benny Gatahon, Sky Gette, Yossi Vassa and Roy Zadok

Music by Idan ZilbershteinSet Design by Alexander Sasha LesanskyChoreography by Iddi SaakaAnimation by Adi KatzCostumes by Sky GeteLighting by Meir Alon

Sound Technician: Oded WeinstockLighting Technician: Liad MaloneDialect Coaches: Pnina Joy Isseroff &Linda Lovitch NEPHESH

T H E A T R E

AND ARGAY

A play for the entire family

NEPHESHT H E A T R E

Nephesh Theatre

Tel: 03-5221101Fax: 035227707

e m a i l : n e p h e s h @ i n t e r . n e t . i lw w w . n e p h e s h t h e a t r e . c o . i l

Municipality of Tel Aviv

Ministry of Culture, Israel& Israel Foreign Ministry

One of a Kind

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T H E C R E ATO R S

Yossi Vassa (Writer-Actor) was born inEthiopia, studied Theatre at the University ofHaifa and served in the theatre section of theIsraeli army. His one man show "It Sounds Betterin Amharic" has been presented over 800 timesin Hebrew and 150 times in English throughoutNorth America and Europe. "One of a Kind"which is based upon his own real life experience,has garnered many awards and has beenpresented over 200 times in Hebrew. TheseNY presentations are part of a first major NorthAmerican tour. With Nephesh he previouslyappeared in Athol Fulgard's "Sizwe Bansi is

Dead" He has produced, written and starred in 3 movies in Amharic that havebecome cult films for the Ethiopian community. His Screen acting includesDan Wollman's feature film "Foreign Sister" and on TV as a regular on theprime time weekly program "Israel Live"

Shai Ben Attar ( Writer-Director) Studiedat the Telma Yellin Arts School and served inthe theatre division of the Israeli army. He wrote(with Yossi Vassa)and directed the one manshow "It Sounds Better in Amharic" as well as"One of a Kind" which won first prize at Haifa'sInternational Childrens Theatre Festival as wellas Best Play and Director at the ASSSITEJNational Awards for Recognition. His play "MoreHana than Laslo" won the Best Entertainmentshow in 2004 and recently toured NorthAmerica.. Shai has also worked as Head Writerfor Israeli Television's National Channel, as well

as for the Educational TV channel. He currently consults as an actors' coachfor RESHET TV as well as writing and directing a show for stand up comedienneLital Shwartz

Howard Rypp (Producer-Translator)-bornin Winnipeg, graduated from York University,Toronto and later immigrated to Israel in 1983.He has directed over 60 professionalproductions in English, Hebrew and Yiddish inIsrael and abroad. His production of GabrielEmanuel's "Einstein" which he originally directedin Hebrew at the Habimah National Theatrewas re-mounted in English and toured NorthAmerica last year including a run at the off-Broadway's La Mama Etc. .His translation ofmany Israeli plays and movies into English havebeen seen throughout the world. He also

produced and translated Yossi and Shai's previous work "It Sounds Better inAmharic" He has lectured on Jewish Theatre and taught acting at the Universityof Tel Aviv as well as Acting for the screen at Sha'ar Ha Negev College. Herecently returned to his first love-acting. As well as performing in feature filmsand television he presented his one man play "Gimpel the Fool" at theEdinburgh Fringe Festival, and it will tour Canada the US and Europe in latesummer.

T H E A C TO R S

Tehitina Assefa (Grandmother) - Trained as a nurse,has worked in hospitals as well as leading workshops forsocial workers throughout Israel. As an actress she touredthe world as a member of the acclaimed Itim Ensembleacting in Rina Yerushalmi's Biblical epic "Ve Yomer Ve Yolech".She also performed in the Kameri Theatre's "Mystical Spells"She co-wrote and performs a one woman play based upon

domestic violence. Her screen credits include a principal role in Dan Wolman'sfeature film "Foreign Sister"

Mahareta Baruch (Masi) - Graduate of the Universityof Haifa's Psychology Department she continued her actingstudies under Ruth Dychis. She has played leading roles inthe Kameri's "Uri Muri" in Herziliyah Theatre's "Love andAnger" and in the Arab Hebrew Theatre's "Foreign Women".She initiated and acted in Israel's National Childrens Theatreproduction "Wedding at Addis". Screen roles include the

television series "The Island" and "Michaella" and feature film "Sweet and Sour".She finished in second place in the Israeli reality program based upon "TheApprentice"

Shai Fredo (Asmamo) - Graduate of the Nissan NativActing Studio. He has written and produced his own oneman play "Judean Lion". In Israel's Repertory theatres hehas played featured roles in works by Tenessee Williams,Anton Chekov and Shakespeare. Screen roles include thefeature film,"Go live and Become", "Maybe this time" and"Foreign Sister"as well as regular role on Israel's Hebrew

version of "Sesame Street". Shai was awarded a prestigious Sharett Foundationscholarship for acting.

Benny Gatahon (The Teacher and Case Pakudu)Graduated from the University of Haifa's Theatre Department.Stage experience include roles in Brecht's "A Mans a Man",Strindberg's "Miss Julie" and "Tara Tara" based upon Ethiopianlegends. He was featured in the television series "TheChampion". He teaches drama and conducts sessions revolvingaround socially oriented conflicts felt in Israel.

Sky Gete (Yeshitu) - Graduated from Beit Tzvi's Schoolfor Stage Art. Stage Experience includes roles include thewitch in Shakespeare's "Macbeth", the princess in "TheShadow" Virginia in "The Itallian Straw Hat"as well as in themusicals "Hair" and "Peter Pan" and the title role in "BlackeyedDoll". She made a guest appearance in the Television series"Reserve Duty"

Roy Zaddok (Isaac) - Graduate of the Nissan Nativ ActingStudio. At the Habimah National Theatre he has appearedin Brecht's "Caucasian Chalk Circle" Miller's "Death of aSalesman" Machievelli's "Mandragola" Vonnegut's "Catch22"and Ionesco's "The Chairs". Screen Appearances includeguest spots on many television series, commercials as wellas in the American movie "A House Divided". Roy is a

graduate of the Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Law.

T H E D E S I G N E R S

Alexander (Sasha) Lesansky (Set Design) - is a graduate of the Facultyof Architecture from the Engineering Institute of Vornich. He was the HeadDesigner of thr Soberminik Theatre in Moscow between 1987-1990. He wasawarded the Gold Prize for Design at an International Exhibit in Prague in1987. He immigrated to Israel in 1990, and has designed in virtually all themajor theatres throughout the country. He served as House Designer for thefamed Gesher Theatre from 1995-2000 and was awarded the Israel Theatreprize for design for his work on "Satan in Moscow". He was also awarded alifetime achievement award from the Israel Museum.

Iddi Saaka (Choreography) - is a choreographer, dancer, drummer andsinger from Ghana, West Africa. Having learnt dancing throughout his childhoodin his village in Northern Ghana, Saaka received his First degree in Dancefrom University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts, and his Masters inChoreography from UCLA’s department of World Arts and Cultures. Saakauses his choreography to engage his audience in social issues through the useof high-energy movement, storytelling, humor and critical reflection. Saaka’stechnique and choreography draw from Contemporary African Dance,Modern dance, traditional Ghanaian Dance and other West African danceforms such as Djembe and Sabar. Saaka has taught and performed extensivelyin the United States, Ghana and Israel.

Idan Zilbershtein (Composer) - Has written music for productions of"The House of Bernarda Alba", "Twelfth Night", "Children of the Candles" andthe Song of Nicesities".He has directed and composed the productions of "InMan's Shadow", "Non-Stop Caf ", "November 4th" and "Penetration". He hasdeveloped many collaborative creations with youth groups throughout Israelgarnering acclaim and admiration for the high standards he has achieved withthem.

F o r t h i s p r o d u c t i o n :

Sound - Oded WeinstockLighting - Liad MaloneAnimations - Adi KatzDiction and Dialogue Coach - Pnina Joy Isseroff and Linda LovitchSet Construction - Sochnov ProductionsMarketing Abroad - Shelly Guggenheim, Yarden SchneiderOutreach in Israel - David Tagaya

One of a Kind

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