Hasifriya Theatre

Hasifriya Theatre (Hebrew: תיאטרון הספרייה, "The Library Theatre") is an Israeli repertory theatre based in Ramat Gan. It was founded in 1984 by Gary Bilu, then director of the Beit Zvi School of Performing Arts, under the auspices of the Beit Zvi Association and with support from the Ramat Gan Municipality's Arts and Culture Division and the Ministry of Culture. The theatre was named for its proximity to the Ramat Gan municipal library. Its first production was an adaptation of S.Y. Agnon's novella "A Pledge of Faith" (שבועת אמונים), directed by Yoram Falk, in October 1984. Initially performing in the library hall on Hibat Zion Street—renamed the Ehud Manor Hall in 2007—the theatre now operates in all venues available to Beit Zvi under a service agreement, and receives administrative and ticketing services from the school's staff. Most musicals are staged at the Ramat Gan Theatre named after Olav V of Norway. Since 2002, the theatre has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture as a repertory theatre and receives separate public funding as an independent association from Beit Zvi. It also enjoys the support of the Ramat Gan Municipality. The theatre stages about eight productions annually, which receive reviews in the professional press and attract large audiences. Actors and creators organize within the theatre on the basis of a desire for joint work, use of free time, and profit-sharing from productions, if any. By the mid-2010s, over 200 different productions had been staged at Hasifriya Theatre. In addition to providing a professional stage for young actors and creators, it also serves as a stage for veteran actors and new immigrants. The theatre is open to creators seeking new or different avenues and allows actors to tackle various roles and develop accordingly. The cultural complex where Hasifriya Theatre operates also contains Beit Yad LaBanim, Beit Zvi (drama school), Beit Emanuel (community center), the municipal library, the Ramat Gan Museum of Russian Art and Far Eastern Art, and the Ramat Gan Theatre hall. The current CEO is David Binyamin, and the artistic director is Arthur Kogan. Past directors include founder Gary Bilu (1984–2009) and Micha Levinson (2009–2014).

Hasifriya Theatre was founded in 1984 by Gary Bilu, who was then the director of the Beit Zvi School of Performing Arts. It was established within the framework of the Beit Zvi Association, with the support of the Arts and Culture Division of the Ramat Gan Municipality and the Ministry of Culture. The theatre's name derives from its proximity to the Ramat Gan municipal library. Its first production was "A Pledge of Faith" (שבועת אמונים), an adaptation by director Yoram Falk of a novella by S.Y. Agnon, staged in October 1984. Initially, the theatre performed in the library hall on Hibat Zion Street. In 2007, this hall was renamed the Ehud Manor Hall. As part of a service agreement with the Beit Zvi Association, the theatre has since operated in all halls available to Beit Zvi and receives administrative and ticketing services from the school's staff. Most musicals are presented at the Ramat Gan Theatre named after Olav V of Norway. Since 2002, the theatre has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture as a repertory theatre and receives separate public funding as an independent association from Beit Zvi. It also enjoys the support of the Ramat Gan Municipality. The theatre stages about eight productions annually, which receive reviews in the professional press and attract large audiences. Actors and creators organize within the theatre on the basis of a desire for joint work, use of free time, and profit-sharing from productions, if any. By the mid-2010s, over 200 different productions had been staged at Hasifriya Theatre. In addition to providing a professional stage for young actors and creators, it also serves as a stage for veteran actors and new immigrants. The theatre is open to creators seeking new or different avenues and allows actors to tackle various roles and develop accordingly. The cultural complex where Hasifriya Theatre operates also contains Beit Yad LaBanim, Beit Zvi (drama school), Beit Emanuel (community center), the municipal library, the Ramat Gan Museum of Russian Art and Far Eastern Art, and the Ramat Gan Theatre hall. The current CEO is David Binyamin, and the artistic director is Arthur Kogan. Past directors include founder Gary Bilu (1984–2009) and Micha Levinson (2009–2014).

• 2014

  Micha Levinson ends his tenure as director.

• 2009

  Gary Bilu ends his tenure as director; Micha Levinson becomes director.

• 2007

  The library hall on Hibat Zion Street renamed the Ehud Manor Hall.

• 2002

  Recognized by the Ministry of Culture as a repertory theatre and granted separate public funding.

• 1984

  Theatre founded by Gary Bilu; first production "A Pledge of Faith" staged in October.

A repertory theatre affiliated with the Beit Zvi School of Performing Arts, serving as a professional stage for young graduates, veteran actors, and new immigrants, with a strong emphasis on musicals.

• תפוחים מן המדבר

  A moving and funny family drama about 18-year-old Rivka's struggle with society's rules.

• נוגע לא נוגע

  An original play on the subject of healthy sexuality.

• זאביקו

  A magical musical for children during the Purim holiday.

• עוד יבוא היום - שירי אהוד מנור

  A special musical-theatrical performance dedicated to Ehud Manor, Israel Prize laureate in music.

• לחנך את ריטה

  A brilliant, funny and moving modern adaptation of "Pygmalion".

• שבועת אמונים

  The theatre's first production, an adaptation of S.Y. Agnon's novella, directed by Yoram Falk, October 1984.

• אחים בדם

  Musical directed by Arthur Kogan.

• קברט

  Musical directed by Arthur Kogan.

• שיער

  Musical directed by Gadi Inbar.

• קאטס

  Musical directed and choreographed by Oz Morag.

• רנט

  Musical directed by Moshe Kaptan.

• היפה והחיה

  Musical directed by Eli Bijaoui.

1. 1Official websitehasifriya.com
2. 2Wikidata entrywikidata.org
3. 3Hebrew Wikipedia articlehe.wikipedia.org