It's a busy time for New York-based actor and writer Hend Ayoub, who is deep in rehearsals and rewrites as she prepares to debut her most personal project to date: "Home? A Palestinian Woman's Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness," opening later in July at Z Below.

A one-woman show performed in English, Hebrew and Arabic, "Home?" explores Ayoub's life growing up as a Palestinian in Israel and her eventual journey to the United States. It's an intimate and disarming exploration of identity, exile and belonging.

"The play unfolded as I found myself reflecting more and more on my life — where I was from and how I got here, kind of thing," Ayoub tells SF/Arts after a busy day at rehearsals.

"Writing this play became a great way to explore and share stories from my childhood in Israel, and to remember and acknowledge places I've lived and worked in, and people — good and bad — who helped shape who I am," says Ayoub, who has been working and living in New York for several years.

Though rooted in the particularities of her Palestinian identity, the show speaks to universal themes and the many meanings of "home." Born in Haifa to a Palestinian family living inside Israel, Ayoub walks audiences through a life of intersections — cultural, emotional and geographic. Using humor and heart, she shapeshifts on stage into a wide cast of characters: her fierce and funny mother, a skeptical airport agent, a flirtatious casting director. Her childhood stories about growing up in a community of Arabs and Jews sets the stage. Particularly entertaining, no doubt, is the account of her younger self getting thrown out of a Purim party in her neighborhood. From being refused jobs and typecast as terrorists' wives in America as a result of her Arab identity, Ayoub's life has been full of rejection and discrimination.

"Home?" transcends politics to connect on a deeply human level. "People expect a story about the Middle East to be depressing," says Aroub. "I didn't want that. This isn't a history or current affairs lecture. Americans don't often get to hear the personal stories of people like me. I wanted it to be funny and joyful in places. That helps open hearts and minds."

Following an uninspiring stint at engineering school - Ayoub's father and brother were engineers - Ayoub says that her influential mother encouraged her to take up acting. She went on to build a successful acting career and is known for her performances on Broadway in "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" and on TV in shows such as "Homeland," "Transparent" and "Orange Is the New Black."

Pictured is Hend Ayoub in the workshop reading at Washington's 2022 Voices from a Changing Middle East Festival
Photo: Stan Barouh

"Home?" is Ayoub's most vulnerable and personal work yet — a story she has lived, shaped and now tells with humor and courage.

The show found its full form with the guidance of acclaimed director and former artistic director at A.C.T. Carey Perloff, whom Ayoub met in 2020 while working on Perloff's production of "A Thousand Splendid Suns" in Washington.

"Working with Carey has been wonderful," says Ayoub. "I'm so grateful for the enthusiasm and support I received to get this play produced and to get my story told. There are not a lot of opportunities for Arab women to perform, in Israel or here.”

"SF Playhouse Artistic Director Bill English sees "Home?" as the ideal production to relaunch the company's Sandbox Series, which has been on hiatus since the pandemic."We believe the future of American theater is strong, and it starts with new works," English says. "This essential incubator allows us to uplift promising new voices. 'Home?' is the perfect fit."

Although the play was originally completed, some changes were required in the aftermath of Oct. 7, 2023. The Israel-Gaza war reframed everything, including how Ayoub closed her own narrative. "I was so happy with the ending I already had," Ayoub reflects. "But after Oct. 7, I rewrote the ending. I couldn't ignore the elephant in the room. We're certainly all in a different place now."

Running 90 minutes with no intermission, "Home?" invites audiences to laugh, pause and reflect as Ayoub examines what it means to live freely in a world that constantly asks her to explain who she is. While telling her personal story, she asks audiences to consider their own.

"HOME? A PALESTINIAN WOMAN’S PURSUIT OF LIFE, LIBERTY & HAPPINESS"
JULY 26 - AUGUST 16, 2025 - TICKETS