Birzeit University Theatre Group Wins in The Arab Universities Theatre Festival Awards

Birzeit University Theatre Group- Mawasem Masrahyeh wins five Awards for their performance in “The House of Bernarda Alba” play in the 12th Philadelphia Arab Universities Theater Festival, held in Philadelphia University- Amman, Jordan.

Produced by the Deanship of Students Affairs, directed by Fathi Abdel Rahman, the play “ The House of Bernarda Alba”, was inspired by the work of the Spanish writer and poet Federico Garcia Lorca, which displayed the plight of women in their societies.

Mawasim Team won the five awards in the categories of: the best direction of a play, the best actor in supporting role, the best make-up, best customs and best décor.

The play, according to the team’s manager and Activities Coordinator Mohammad Hajj Ahmad, reveals discrimination practiced towards women. “ The play analyzes the possible relations of power that exists in our communities, considering the concepts of tradition-social and religion and the consequences of repression.  

The Dean of Students Affairs Mohammad Al- Ahmad spoke of the importance of such recognition and acknowledgement in encouraging continuous sustainable efforts in the theatrical production. “ These awards are so important to us: it rewards our enthusiasm and our drive to make changes with the resources we have.”

“ We’ve been focusing a lot more on developing new works that will have a long recognition beyond Palestine. We’ve made effort in developing artists from our own backyard”, Al- Ahmad continued.  

Birzeit University was among many other universities from Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Palestine represented by Al- Najah University.