SELLING KABUL
by Sylvia Koury
Produced by Williamstown Theater Festival, Summer 2019
Directed by Tyne Raefeli
Scenic: Arnulfo Maldonado
Costume: Dina El-Aziz
Lighting: Jen Schreiver
Stage Manager: Brett Anderson
ABOUT THE PLAY
Taroon, a former interpreter for the US military, lives in hiding from the Taliban in his sister Afiya’s home in Kabul, Afghanistan. As Taroon restlessly awaits news from the hospital on the eve of his first child’s birth, his brother-in-law Jawid works to protect him from dangers lurking outside the apartment walls.
THE DESIGN PROCESS
My goal as sound designer on this project was to keep the presence of the city of Kabul throughout the whole evening. Because the events of the show took place in real time, I wanted to feel the city ebb and flow with the action on stage. To establish this, I created a sound scape at the top of the show to give location and solidify the Taliban presence that is the catalyst within the play. The city acts as a pressure cooker for the people of Kabul: chaotic, loud, and harsh. The drone of the city slowly morphs into a tonal drone which underscores the emotional progression on stage.
All music is used as a dramatic tool, and not owned by Beth Lake.
Production photography by Joseph O’Malley.