Unlike traditional open-air stages, we build no walls and lay no stones.
We don't perform in the forest; we perform with the forest. No stages, no wires—just the raw power of nature.
We don’t just perform in nature; we protect it. Our theatre leaves no physical trace, ensuring the forest remains wild and untouched.
We reject artificial stages and walls. By using the earth as our floor and the trees as our wings, we create an immersive, boundless experience.
No microphones. No electricity. We master the natural acoustics of the wilderness to reach the audience through the raw power of the human voice.
A methodology built on 20 years of research, connecting the ensemble, the audience, and the environment into a single, healing community.
For two decades, Gad Andrei Por has pioneered a unique artistic movement in the forests of Israel. We believe that true art doesn't require electricity, speakers, or public funding.
Our stage is the forest, our scenery is the trees, and our only amplification is the raw power of the human voice. Through immersive storytelling and music, we reconnect the human spirit to the natural world.
Actor, Director and Playwright. Founder of FOREST THEATRE (est. 2005).
With 20 years on theatre stage, TV, and cinema, and 20 more years in the forest - "under the radar," Gad Andrei has developed a methodology that bridges theatrical excellence with deep ecological awareness.
At the heart of FOREST THEATRE lies "Radical Simplicity"—a philosophy that views the absence of modern technology not as a limitation, but as a gateway to profound human and natural connection.
Forest Theatre is deeply influenced by hunter-gatherer philosophies and traditional East Asian theatre, while remaining firmly rooted in Western dramatic tradition. We perform plays based on Western stories while infusing the performance with primal and classical Eastern energies.
The actors' preparation is inspired by the spiritual role of the Shaman. Long before the audience arrives, the ensemble dwells in the forest, rehearsing, communal cooking, and resting together under the canopy. This process fosters an intuitive bond with the environment.
To experience theatre, we rely on a unique human faculty: the "Suspension of Disbelief".
In conventional theatre, costume and character changes happen right before the audience's eyes. By witnessing the actor step into character, the audience's imagination is called to work harder. We call this "training with ankle weights"—strengthening our innate human ability to dream.
Using precise storytelling, movement, and vocal techniques to build vivid worlds within the audience's mind, without the need for physical sets.
We carefully select sites that function as natural amphitheaters. The earth itself becomes the floor, and site-specific acoustics integrate the forest as an active partner.
We break the "fourth wall". The audience is a vital act of support. We create costumes and props from natural materials, crafting aesthetics from the local landscape.
The performance is a holistic experience. The journey into the woods and the slow, mindful presence in nature are as important as the play itself.
We offer a comprehensive, in-person mentorship program to help you establish your own local Forest Theatre. Whether you are a professional ensemble or an ecological community, we adapt our training to your needs.
Exploring the dialogue between local natural materials and diverse forest landscapes.
Our props are born from the forest floor. We listen to the local flora—fallen oak branches, palm bark, and wild vines—to craft a visual language inseparable from the ecosystem.
Natural Woven Hat
Handcrafted Organic Bench
Unamplified acoustic instruments and voices harmonizing naturally with the forest environment.
Desert Harp
Acoustic Music & Movement
A stage with no walls. From Mediterranean olive groves to desert sands, pine woodlands or eucalyptus groves—each site dictates a new movement, unique acoustics, and its own visual atmosphere.
Forest Swing • Aminadav
Ancient Olive Grove • Klil
Desert Landscape • Sasgon Valley
Eucalyptus Woodland • Olga
Tree Canopy Stage
Site-Specific Dynamics
Our model is flexible. We can establish a "Forest Home" in a specific woodland, or adapt site-specific creations to any new terrain as we go.
We use mats on the ground, respecting the forest floor. Folding chairs are allowed for those with physical disabilities.
Highly adaptable. We suit professional acting ensembles, amateur groups, or communities wishing to create creative space. Curriculum is tailored to you.
Intimate—ranging from 40 to 180 people, determined by site acoustics and vocal capacity. Every spectator must experience the raw power of the unamplified voice.
Most others are built amphitheaters (stone/wood). We reject artificial structures. We perform in the raw, untouched wilderness, site-specific, leaving no trace.
"I arrived at the forest with the noise of the city in my head, and left with a sense of profound silence and wonder. The actors didn't just perform; they invited us into a world where imagination is more real than any digital screen."
- Michal Bar On
Whether you are an artistic ensemble, an ecological center, or a local host, we invite you to start a dialogue. Together, we can establish a Forest Theatre residency in your local landscape.
Start a DialogueCARRYING ONLY STORIES, LEAVING ONLY FOOTPRINTS