Israeli Director Irad Rubinstein Balances Theater, Family, and Personal Fears Amid New Kamari Production
Irad Rubinstein, a 46-year-old Israeli director, actor, and playwright, is currently immersed in rehearsals for the Kamari Theater's upcoming production of "Agamemnon," set to premiere on August 14. This play is the third installment in his contemporary Greek trilogy, following adaptations of "Oedipus" and "Medea," co-created with Shahar Pnakes. Rubinstein describes the intense emotional toll of the production, saying he wakes up with a locked jaw and a stiff neck, feeling the accumulated darkness inside him.
Rubinstein lives in Tel Aviv with his wife, Adi Zuckerman Rubinstein, and their three children. He starts his day with coffee at a kiosk in Florentin and continues with rehearsals, sometimes needing a third coffee break dubbed "manager's coffee." He values spending Fridays either attending performances or relaxing at home with his family, appreciating moments when his children get along peacefully.
He shares a unique personal superstition of sleeping with a machete nearby, a habit rooted in family lore and a sense of inherited protection. Rubinstein admits to lying to his children to shield them from the world's harsh realities, recalling how during the first COVID-19 lockdown he told them they were playing a hiding game when he took them out secretly.
Rubinstein expresses admiration for filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, wishing to engage deeply with his passion for cinema. He also reflects on his emotional growth, crediting his wife for teaching him intimacy and emotional openness. He misses the vibrant cultural scene of the 1990s and holds a deep respect for Israeli figures like Yitzhak Rabin.
Despite his success, Rubinstein struggles with feelings of guilt, especially regarding the security situation in Israel and raising children amid conflict. He fears the rise of artificial intelligence, which he believes threatens intellectual and artistic vitality. His greatest joy comes from witnessing his children’s bonds and enjoying loud Black Sabbath music. Rubinstein hopes to travel more extensively and treasures his inner child’s curiosity and courage.
He values friends who speak out against injustices in Israel and cites diverse artistic influences, including Chris Cornell, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, and filmmakers like Kubrick and Park Chan-wook. Rubinstein sees his work as a collective achievement, finding fulfillment when audiences respond powerfully to his productions.
