As major climate issues continue to affect people across Egypt’s diverse regions, Jillian Campana, theater professor and associate dean for undergraduate studies and research, developed a set of plays that reflect these environmental realities. The plays will be performed across AUC’s garden on February 12, 13, 16 and 17, with free entry each night. 

Da Zanbokom (It Is Our Fault) consists of five short plays, each set in a different location in Egypt and dealing with a distinct environmental issue affecting the country. Topics range from water scarcity in Aswan and flooding in Alexandria to pollution in the Red Sea and gentrification in Port Said. 

Meanwhile, the plays probe the audience to reflect on their role in climate change. “There are small things we can all do every day to help, but most of us don’t take any action because we mistakenly think only major innovations will make a difference,” said Campana.

Campana was inspired to pursue this project because she believes her role as an artist gives her a unique ability to humanize data in a way that regular people can relate to. “While scientists provide crucial data and technological innovations, solving this global challenge requires collaboration across disciplines. Artists, humanists, policymakers, educators, community leaders and activists all play vital roles. Artists, in particular, are able to humanize the data in a way that connects to everyday people,” she said.

“We hope that by watching the performances, audiences will consider their own behaviors and practices and reflect upon ways they can help educate those around them to engage in more sustainable behaviors.”

Over the summer, Campana worked with experts to identify major climate issues that affect people in different regions across Egypt. She then commissioned 10 new plays, five of which will be performed at AUC in the upcoming shows, exploring how these environmental issues impact daily life. The playwrights, including Campana, collaborated with AUC faculty members Anwar ElNaser, Fayrouz Ashour, Ramy Aly and Rania Siam to understand the depth and specificity of these issues and how they impact daily life. 

The play is site-specific, meaning that the locations of the plays mirror the settings of the stories. Audiences will gather in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences plaza between 6:30 and 7:00 pm on the nights of the shows. They will be assigned, in small groups, to a specific guide who will walk them to each location and provide details about the stories along the way. 

“We hope that by watching the performances, audiences will consider their own behaviors and practices and reflect upon ways they can help educate those around them to engage in more sustainable behaviors,” Campana said. “For the 43 students, many faculty and alumni involved in Da Zambokom it certainly has made an impact already!”

The five plays are:

• Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Go Back in the Winter (English)
• Snowball in Heaven (English)
• Very Environmental (Arabic)
• The Nile in Cairo Is Green (Arabic)
• The Graduation (Arabic and English)

At AUC, experiential learning can look a lot like tourism with an educational twist. Through a winter course called Egypt: Ancient to Modern Civilization, 46 students participated in immersive site visits all around the country. 

Over the three-week course, the class engaged in the study of four major periods of Egyptian history: Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Medieval Islamic and Modern. Along the way, students admired historic Egyptian art and architecture.

 “I am amazed by how my students engage with Egyptian civilization — not just as history, but as a living narrative that shapes their identities and perspectives."

“It was an unforgettable journey through time," said student Mohamed Khalil. "The course was a wonderful opportunity to see, feel and understand Egypt’s past. Even as a non-Egyptian, I developed great pride in the grandeur of this civilization and its lasting influence."

The class took students to iconic sites around Egypt, including Saqqara, Giza, Old Cairo, Medieval Islamic Cairo, Luxor, Abdeen Palace and the New Administrative Capital. Michelle Henry, senior instructor II in the Department of Rhetoric and Composition, who teaches the course, said, “It was an amazing journey for the students. The course and students were extremely engaging.”

Integrated marketing communication sophomore Aisha Abd El Hafeez said, “Seeing the sites in person changed everything. It made me realize how deeply spiritual Egyptians have always been. From ancient temples to modern mosques and churches, Egypt’s soul has stayed the same: faithful, resilient and alive.”

Students attended lectures and class discussions, wrote field notes and reflections, took pictures, presented orally and created multimodal projects over the three weeks. “I am amazed by how my students engage with Egyptian civilization — not just as history, but as a living narrative that shapes their identities and perspectives," said Yara Zidan, instructor in the Department of English Language Instruction (ELI). "Through critical thinking, alternative narratives and immersive digital projects, students continually push boundaries, often exceeding my expectations."

"I’ve always believed that learning extends beyond the walls of the classroom, so I was thrilled to see the students connect readings and lectures to actual sites and think critically about the stories being told. It brought Egypt’s history to life."

The course was coordinated by John Swanson, special adviser to the provost, and the three sections were taught by Henry, Zidan and Hana Abouzaied, also an ELI instructor.

“Although it was tiring at times, I was happy to see students experiencing history firsthand,"  Abouzaied said. "I’ve always believed that learning extends beyond the walls of the classroom, so I was thrilled to see the students connect readings and lectures to actual sites and think critically about the stories being told. It brought Egypt’s history to life."

She concluded, “What makes this journey truly special is that I learn as much from them as they do from the course. Their insights and creativity remind me that education is a two-way dialogue, and every class is an opportunity for discovery.”