
Inspired by the stories of the lost tribes of Israel, theatre dybbuk presents a full-length theatrical work, rich in movement, original music, and lyrical language that relates ancient mythological and tribal narratives to contemporary questions of integration, appropriation, and belonging.
"A gripping play...[lost tribes] weaves through Jewish history and then crashes into our current reality... Go see it!"
– Jeff Slayton, LA Dance Chronicle
THE SHOW
In the early eighth century BCE, the Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, from whence it has been said that ten of the twelve ancient tribes of Israel were deported and assimilated. These tribes are now lost to history, with a variety of folktales, legends, and theories about their fates having come about since that time. Some are told from the point of view of those who regard themselves as members of a lost tribe, while others are told from an outside perspective in order to make a case for self-serving outcomes.
Framed in the context of a gallery exhibition, lost tribes weaves together stories from the Assyrian conquest to the present day, tracing a world history of assimilation and dominance; of cultural conquest, annihilation, and survival. The performance incorporates choreography by Kai Hazelwood, production design by Leslie K. Gray, and a live percussion score composed by Michael Skloff, created in collaboration with Emilia Moscoso Borja and Alex Shaw. The production is written and directed by theatre dybbuk's artistic director, Aaron Henne, and developed with the ensemble.
THE TEAM
Written and Directed by Aaron Henne
Developed with Jeri Brunoe, Martín Carrillo, Joshua Wolf Coleman, Leslie K. Gray, Nick Greene, Kai Hazelwood, Julie A. Lockhart, Rebecca Rasmussen, Flori Schutzer, Michael Skloff, Dylan Southard, Diana Tanaka, and Jonathan C.K. Williams
Produced by Flori Schutzer
Ensemble: Jeri Brunoe, Joshua Wolf Coleman, Nick Greene, Julie A. Lockhart, Rebecca Rasmussen, Angela Sauer, Diana Tanaka, Jonathan C.K. Williams
Percussionists: Emilia Moscoso Borja and Alex Shaw
Alternate percussionist: Etienne Rivera Cabello
Stage Manager: Danny Crisp
Lighting Designer: Brandon Baruch
Sound Designer: Martín Carrillo
Production Designer: Leslie K. Gray
Choreographer: Kai Hazelwood
Costume Designer: Kathryn Poppen
Composer: Michael Skloff
Dramaturg: Dylan Southard
Sound Mixer: Christopher Bosco
PERFORMANCE HISTORY
lost tribes had its world premiere at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE) on February 24 & 25, 2018 and toured to arts and cultural venues around the Los Angeles area throughout that winter and spring. The Los Angeles tour included sold out performances at The Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA on March 10 and at Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena on March 29, and performances at Temple Israel of Hollywood on April 7 & 8, 2018.
Upon the conclusion of its initial Los Angeles run, lost tribes toured to The Hive at Leichtag Commons in Encinitas, CA for sold out shows on April 14 & 15, 2018.
On Sunday, August 18, 2019 we offered a free concert reading
of lost tribes at the Mark Taper Auditorium of the Los Angeles Public Library in downtown LA as part of the Library's LA Made series.
PHOTOS | SHOT AT LACE

Rebecca Rasmussen

human display

Emilia Moscoso Borja & Alex Shaw

Nick Greene, Joshua Wolf Coleman, Jonathan C.K. Williams

Diana Tanaka with the ensemble

Jonathan C.K. Williams, Angela Sauer, Nick Greene

Nick Greene

Angela Sauer, Julie A. Lockhart, Nick Greene

the ensemble

Joshua Wolf Coleman with the ensemble

Jonathan C.K. Williams with the ensemble

Julie A. Lockhart

Diana Tanaka, Jonathan C.K. Williams, Nick Greene

Joshua Wolf Coleman

Diana Tanaka
photos by Taso Papadakis
MEDIA
Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about lost tribes from the cast and production team.
In the player below is a short film created by our long-time photographer, Taso Papadakis, that explores some of the themes from lost tribes.








The presentation at The Hive was generously underwritten by the Melvin Garb Foundation with significant support from the Leichtag Foundation. This event was made possible through the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation's Grassroots Events program.
theatre dybbuk is generously supported by a Cutting Edge Grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles.