AUK's Theater Program hosts Trojan Women

AUK's Theater Program hosted its first play Trojan Women at the Black Box Studio on January 21 in front of a sell-out crowd; the opening night saw a packed theater with an all-female audience. Mothers, friends, AUK students, professors as well as the President of AUK Dr. Marina Tolmacheva came to celebrate this achievement. 

Trojan Women, a Greek classic by Euripides, tells the tale of the devastation incurred by war and defeat through the eyes of Trojan women. Professor Christopher Gottschalk (director of the play) wrote in the Director's Note, "When I set my mind to picking a play appropriate for an all-female Theater Production class, Trojan Women very quickly asserted itself over and over again". It seemed quite appropriate then, that the play with its all-female cast and audience should tend and speak to women. The choice of a timeless classic that is still relevant to today's world seemed very appropriate and well suited to the segregated environment at AUK.

Lead actress and AUK student Sukaina Ibraheem, who played Hecuba, did an excellent job of guiding the audience through the emotions portrayed in the play, while AUK staff member Faten Al-Kadiri, playing Adromache, wowed the audience with a powerful and poignant performance that touched at the heart of the issues at hand. 

Al-Kadiri, speaking about her experience and how the story manifests itself today said, "it is such a great experience being a part of this talented team of AUK's undergrads. On top of that, Professor Christopher Gottschalk was as much an inspirational leader as an academic professor. He let us visualize the story ourselves, the play is not about Trojan women only, it is about all of us. This story relates to many people in one way or another. The Kuwaiti-Iraqi war in 1990s, the Israeli conflicts with both Lebanon and Palestine that remains till now especially what just happened in Gaza recently. It is dedicated to all these women who faced such tragic losses in wars or even in daily life and struggled to survive."

The cast of Trojan Women includes: Sukaina Ibraheem, Faten Al-Kadiri, Nur El-Huda Abdelhalim, Mona Hussien, Halima Al-Yousef, Sabeeka Al-Rashed, Jenna Al-Rashed, Hind Nassar, Rabab Al-Bousairi, and Dalal Al-Sharhan. Directed by Christopher Gottschalk. Performances January 21-24, 8 pm at the Black Box Studio, AUK Salmiya Campus. Tickets 5 KD.
 

The cast of the Trojan Women with Professor Christopher Gottschalk (director of the play)
 

Images from the play