The Caravan

Have you ever had a conversation with a non-native speaker in Arabic? Maybe. But have you ever heard a non-native speak Arabic with a southern, sa’eedy accent?
All that and more could be heard on the soccer court of the American University in Cairo’s (AUC) Zamalek dorms, which was recently turned into a rehearsal hall where international students practiced their roles in the first play to be performed in colloquial Arabic.

The Key of Life, a simple play addressing critical issues in the Egyptian society, was organized by the residential life office at AUC and will have its only performance on May 15 at the Falaki Main Stage Theatre. The AUC community is invited to attend the free event.
“The idea came to me [because] I thought it would be fun and a chance for international students to learn Arabic,” said Dina El Ghazaly, senior coordinator of student housing.
El Ghazaly explained that this is part of the indoor activities organized by the residential life office and offered throughout every semester. Rehearsals started at the beginning of the semester at the Zamalek AUC dorms.
“It is really worth seeing,” said El Ghazaly.
Fatma Abou Youssef, associate dean for residential life, explained that the idea seemed impossible, yet very inspirational and challenging.
“If you close your eyes while watching the play, you will think they are Egyptians,” said Abou Youssef, adding that since more international and study-abroad students are coming to AUC, the office wants to think of ways to serve all the students regardless of their nationality.
“Learning outside classes is very important as
well,” said Abou Youssef.
“I tried my best to keep the script simple and easy,” said Mahmoud Hamza, director and author of the play and a professor of Arabic at AUC, “They did an unbelievable effort and really made it.”
The play is about a young married man named Enawy who lives in Luxor and faces many of the dilemmas imposed by the Egyptian society. Enawy finds a Pharaonic treasure and decides to go to Cairo to his uncle, Selim, to sell it. The story takes off from there, said Hamza.
In addition, Hamza described how each character in the play represents a problem in Egyptian society such as illiteracy, education, poverty, women’s rights or Westernization.
“The message of the play is to live safely, all together within one loving and caring society,” said Hamza.
Mark Visona, an Arabic major and study-abroad student from Georgetown University, plays the role of Selim, one of the leading characters in the play.
“I studied classical Arabic for two semesters and colloquial Arabic for only one semester,” said Visona.
According to Visona, the hardest part was the line memorization, but with the help of Hamza, “we were able to get it all right.”
Though the one-hour play is a dark comedy that addresses some of the major problems in Egypt, the ending is very positive, said Visona.
“We want it to be professional,” said Maissa Ragab, associate director at the residential life office.
Ragab added that the Arabic and translation division of the School of Continuing Education (SCE) will translate the script for the audience. “This is a way to integrate with the different units within the AUC community,” said Ragab.
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April 17 ,2008