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Friend,
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Dear Friend,

I invite you to join Arab American playwright Kareem Fahmy on Thursday, April 3, for a live presentation of his work, American Fast , at the Theater Alliance in DC. Kareem will join us before the play at 7 PM for a conversation on the importance of representation and art, and how we can find solace in community and culture. We'll also be joined by Arab American comedian Rola Z, the force behind DC's first Traumedy Festival, for this eye-opening discussion.

As we prepare to mark Arab American Heritage Month during this difficult time, I know this event and conversation will be restorative, meaningful, and a source of hope. I've included more information below, but I hope you can join us for our first Arab American Heritage Month event of 2025. You can purchase discounted tickets for $30 using the code: AMAAIFAST at this link: [link removed] [[link removed]]

This is an event you won't want to miss. Hope to see you there.

In solidarity,

Maya



About American Fast[[link removed]]

Arab American college basketball phenom Khady is on the verge of making history, leading her team through the NCAA Championships. But when March Madness collides with Ramadan, she becomes the center of a national controversy. AMERICAN FAST is a high-stakes, high-speed exploration of faith, family, and the cost of success. Set against the backdrop of Women’s College Basketball, this coming-of-age story dives into the complexities of identity, belief, and the pressures of living under the spotlight. How far will Khady go to stay true—to her team, her faith, and herself?

About Kareem Fahmy

Kareem has directed and developed plays at theatres including MCC, The Atlantic, The New Group, Ensemble Studio Theatre, New Dramatists, The Civilians, Writers Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Pioneer Theatre, The Magic, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Berkeley Rep, and more. He is a New York Theatre Workshop Usual Suspect.

His plays, which include Fountains of Youth, Dodi & Diana, American Fast, A Distinct Society, The Triumphant, Pareidolia, The In-Between, and an adaptation of the novel The Yacoubian Building, have been produced at Colt Coeur, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Pioneer Theatre, Writers Theatre, City Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre, InterAct Theatre, Capital Stage, Constellation Stage, Noor Theatre, Target Margin Theatre, the Human Race Theatre Company, and Theater Alliance.

About Rola Z

Rola Z is a show producer, community builder and host/comedian in DC. She is the creator of TRAUMEDY, DC’s only Dark Comedy show and has been dubbed ‘Traumedian’ by the Washingtonian, May 2023. Her other flagship comedy show is Funny Arabs by Rola Z and she has taken it to the Kennedy Center to reach a wide audience. Rola Z has worked with various Thinktanks, Art institutes and DC public schools to bring comedy to new places and to use laughter as healing and community building. She collaborated with Middle East Institute and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to launch the first DC Traumedy Festival hosting a panel discussion with mental health experts and two sold-out comedy shows.

About Theater Alliance

A catalyst for innovation and diversity, Theater Alliance is among DC’s pre-eminent theater companies, one that consistently produces thought-provoking and socially pertinent work, successfully uniting audiences of all backgrounds through the power of creative presentation and participation.

Arab American Institute Foundation
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20006
United States
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