PERFORMANCE 1 | Living with Drones: a live journalism show

Living with Drones tells a story about the sounds of war, in particular the use of drones, and their devastating, traumatic impact on the residents of Gaza. By tying together first-person stories from Gaza with wartime diaries from story-sharers, this show weaves a compelling, nuanced narrative about the use of drone technology on human lives and the international legal and human rights questions such a consistent bombardment raises.

stitched! shows employ oral storytelling and decolonial theatrical techniques and merge them with community-based journalism. Our story work aims to disrupt traditional journalistic approaches (seeing journalism as aligned to the control of (what/whose) knowledge in partnership with colonial enterprises). We do this by centring the voices of story-sharers (not sources) and through the creation of the role of community gatherer, a journalist who engages with the audience and involves them in questions of role and responsibility, action and direction. What can you, a member of an audience in London, U.K., do about it? Our show ends with calls to action, which direct our story listeners towards actionable ways to engage with this troubling current reality. The show would happen on January 9th, 10th and potentially 11th. It is a show of one hour in three acts.

PERFORMERS

Community gatherer/ Storyteller: Sonya Fatah is a journalist who teaches at the School of Journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her teaching, research and practice employ decolonial approaches to storytelling.

Storyteller: Christin El-Kholy is a journalist and writer from Scarborough, Toronto with roots in Cairo, who focuses on reporting cultural, urban and social issues across borders.

Storyteller: Laila Hashem is a Palestinian journalist and storyteller passionate about advocating and exploring displacement and colonialism's enduring effects.

TESTIMONIES

"A performance journalism show like nothing I have ever experienced before. So touching and transformative." Dr Layal Shuman, Assistant Professor of Design Studies

" Live journalism has arrived, and Living with Drones is equally timely and important. It pulls together diaries, research and memoirs on stage for an irresistible 90 minutes.” Gavin Adamson, Journalism Professor

" Living with Drones is a brave exploration of an under-discussed subject: the impact of Israel's use of drones as military tools on Palestinians in Gaza. Through testimonials, TikTok clips, and video footage, the live journalism experience helped me understand the profound impact of the drone's constant mechanical hum. I'd highly recommend it -- especially to anyone trying to gain a stronger grasp on life in Gaza over the past year." Gabe Oatley, Journalist in Toronto