Directed & Choreographed by Nadra Assaf with Guest Choreography by Matt Henley
Performed by Volodymyr Panzhev, Elie Daher & Jimmy Bechara
AL SARAB DANCE COMPANY PROUDLY PRESENTS: THE INSIDE MAN
The Inside Man is a contemporary dance work that journeys into the emotional and psychological landscapes men often carry in silence. Through a series of interconnected scenes, the performance explores vulnerability, masculinity, mental health, self-doubt, and the quiet struggle between societal expectation and personal truth.
Moving from concealment to revelation, the dancers embody the masks men wear, the inner battles they fight, and the courage it takes to dismantle inherited stereotypes. What begins as restraint and fragmentation gradually transforms into connection, acceptance, and collective strength.
At its core, The Inside Man is an invitation: to witness what is usually hidden, to question what we define as “strength,” and to recognize the humanity behind the roles men are expected to perform. It is not only a story about men — it is a reflection on identity, empathy, and the shared need to be seen and understood.
THE PROGRAM
Act 1: Masquerade
Scene 1: The Masks
Music: Petit Biscuit
Scene 2: Chains of Stereotypes
Music: Le Trio Gebran and Chkrr
Act 2: Battle Within
Scene 3: Emotional Armor
Music: Celeste
Scene 4: Shadows of Doubt
Music: Le Trio Gebran and Chkrr
Act 3: Seeking the Light
Scene 5: Fragments of Self
Music: Stephen Wilson Jr.
Scene 6: Esprit de Corps
Music: Adrian Berenguer
Act 4: Embrace
Scene 7: Revelation
Music: Bachar Mar-Khalife
Scene 8: Crushing the Chaos
Music: Petit Biscuit
THE CREATOR
THE DANCERS
Special Acknowledgment — From the Creator
This work is deeply personal.
The Inside Man is dedicated to the men who shaped my life — my father Majeed, my brothers George, Nabil, Amin and Samir, and my son Majd. You are the reason I do what I do. You are the quiet inspiration behind this work, the voices that echo in its questions, its tenderness, its strength, and its contradictions. This performance carries fragments of your stories, your struggles, and ultimately your love.
My deepest gratitude goes to the extraordinary artists who brought this vision to life starting with my forever collaborator and colleague Matt Henley. Matt, you have forever changed me.
Next of course is the trio (my guys) without whom this could never have happened: Volodymyr, Jimmy, and Elie. Your commitment, vulnerability, discipline, and courage gave this work its soul. You did not simply perform this piece, you embodied it, challenged it, and allowed it to grow beyond what I imagined it could be.
Thank you goes to every collaborator, technician, designer, and team member (all who have been named throughout this program) who contributed their time, creativity, and belief to this production. Your dedication turned an idea into a living, breathing experience on stage and I am forever grateful to you for this achievment.
The Inside Man exists because of all of you.
Nadra Assaf
Credits
Lighting Design: Rahaf Jammal
Lighting Assistant: Yvana Makdessi
Sound: Sarah Fadel
Sound Technician: Yvana Makdessi
Costumes: Cynthia Chamat • Boutique Hub
Masks: Reynaldo Sayegh
Artistic Visuals and Social Media: Laetitia El Hakim
Photography: Laetitia El Hakim
House Manager: Amy Yusuf
Assistants: Gaitana Kafrouni, Rea Karameh, Lamiss Panzhev