Zeina, through the NPO she founded in 2007, Catharsis-Lebanese Center for Drama Therapy, brought the innovative tools of drama therapy to Lebanon. In 2009, she produced the theatre production “12 Angry Lebanese” with inmates of Roumieh Prison. This pioneering production as well as the documentary that emerged from the process received international acclaim and led to the implementation of Law 463 in 2009 (the reduction of sentences for good behavior). In 2012, she created the play “Scheherazade in Baabda”, with women inmates of Baabda prison where they shared their personal stories in an attempt to heal their wounds and hold up a mirror to Lebanese society about the oppression of women. Her 2nd feature documentary “Scheherazade’s Diary”, wins 10 international awards.
She also produced and directed theatre plays with several disadvantaged populations that lobbied also for policy change, such as with Migrant Domestic Workers (Shebaik Lebaik, 2014) and residents in psychiatric hospitals (From the Bottom of my brain, 2013).
In 2016, she directed the play “Johar… Up in the Air” interpreted by the Roumieh inmates, that conveyed the messages of the mentally ill inmates and those sentenced to life to the society and decision makers. Also The Blue Inmates, the documentary that emerged from the process, saw the light in 2020. In addition, the project led to 2 draft laws aiming for a suitable Legislation for Mentally ill Inmates & Inmates Sentenced to Life, prepared by Catharsis and submitted to the Lebanese Parliament in 2016.
Moreover, she offers individual therapy at her private practice clinic and she works with staff from corporations, NGOs, INGOs, etc. who wish to increase their productivity, and enhance their interpersonal and communication skills. She teaches Drama Therapy at several Universities in Lebanon and in the Region.
She is the recipient of many awards given for her distinguished contributions to the field of social initiatives and services.
