Verbatim Play 'October 7' Shares Survivor Testimonies in DC

The Genesis of 'October 7: In Their Own Words'

• 💡 Playwrights Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney were prompted to create a verbatim play after witnessing what they perceived as a lack of comprehensive reporting on the October 7th Hamas attack in Ireland.
• 🎯 They traveled to Israel shortly after the attacks to interview survivors, aiming to capture their unvarnished testimonies.
• ✍️ The play, "October 7: In Their Own Words," is entirely verbatim, using only the exact words of the survivors to document the horror of that day.

Impact and Reception

• ⚠️ The play's premiere off-Broadway in May 2024 required a permanent police presence due to its sensitive nature and the intense emotions it evokes.
• 🎭 For one night only, the play is being staged at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., following previous performances at institutions like UCLA and Princeton.
• 🗣️ The creators believe it's crucial for everyone to be reminded of what happened on October 7th, emphasizing that the war came to the people on that day, disrupting a peaceful October 6th.

Addressing Narratives and Antisemitism

• 🚫 McAleer and McElhinney noted that some people resist hearing the truth of the testimonies, preferring alternative narratives and attempting to shut down discussions about the events.
• ✡️ They directly addressed what they described as a rise in antisemitism, with some Jewish individuals expressing that they never thought they would witness such hatred again in their lifetime.
• 🇮🇪 Ireland is highlighted as having the