Interview: Aya Aziz of THE MOUNTAIN at Spinning Dot Theatre Says It Is An Important Play to Experience!

The Mountain is a play by Chelsea Woolley being performed by Spinning Dot Theatre that deals with anti-immigrant feelings in very different way - through the eyes of two eight-year-olds on a playground in Canada. The imaginary adventures of the quiet Canadian boy and spirited Arab girl allow the children to explore their friendship and views of world. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Aya Aziz who is currently playing the spirited Arab, Aya, in The Mountain, currently running until August 26th at the Spinning Dot Theatre in Ann Arbor.

Broadway World Detroit: Can you give our readers a brief background about yourself and your theatre career as an introduction?

Aya Aziz: I am a member of the Spinning Dot Theatre company. I am also many other things, such as a bilingual immigrant. I moved from Baghdad, Iraq to America in 2007 at the age of 12 years old in search of safety. I am currently a student at Eastern Michigan University, and I am finishing my Bachelor's of Science in Digital Media and Film.

My theatre background started when I moved to America ten years ago and was introduced to Jenny Sawtelle Koppera. I wanted to be involved in the arts, and I started working on different shows through Crosstown Theatre Troupe. In addition, I took a few classes through my college career.

BWW Detroit: How would you describe The Mountain in your own words?

Aya Aziz: I would describe it as a heartwarming story of bridging culture differences. The Mountain takes the audience through a charming adventure through the eyes of children and school playgrounds.

BWW Detroit: How would you describe your character, Aya?

Aya Aziz: Aya is an optimistic, cheerful, and imaginative eight-year-old girl. She sees the positive things in most situations and doesn't let social norms get in her way. She is very open and blunt, which are two of my favorite characteristics from Aya.

BWW Detroit: Is it pure coincidence you share your name with character your play or was the character unnamed in the script?

Aya Aziz: It is pure coincidence! When Jenny shared this story with me, I was in utter shock. The playwright, Chelsea Woolley, did not know me at the time, and she reacted the same way upon knowing that I was in The Mountain!

Not only did Aya and I share the same name, but we also share similar backgrounds. The only difference between Aya and I is that we were born in different countries. Aya is Syrian and I am Iraqi. We both, however, endured war at the same age and dealt with being immigrants in countries whose language we didn't speak.

BWW Detroit: Do you have a favorite moment in The Mountain?

Aya Aziz: Yes! I love when Aya remembers what her home felt like at the end of the play. She has a monologue where she recounts and tells the audience about what home really felt and looked like. The tangerine trees, the magical sea, her friends, the fuzzy carpets, etc. That moment really hits home for me. Aya opens up about the contrast of what home WAS and what home IS now - a mountain of sadness.

BWW Detroit: Did you do any special preparation for the role?

Aya Aziz: Yes and no. The special preparations that I did were mostly being vulnerable and opening up about the first few years of being in America. I shared a lot of my background during rehearsals, and that brought up a lot of emotions that I was keeping down and may have forgotten about.

BWW Detroit: You share a lot of similar experience with your character such as immigrating to North America and leaving war-torn countries, do you think this has made it easier or more difficult to become the character of 'Aya?'

Aya Aziz: Aya and I sharing similar backgrounds definitely made it easier for me to become the character of 'Aya.' I have a lot of sympathy for her and she reminds me of what it's like to be a kid again. There is a lot of magic that I lost as I became more of an adult and she helped me regain that. Sharing the same cheerfulness, sadness, homesickness, and, unfortunately, the same fear of loud noises allowed me to better represent her story. I experienced the feeling of being "other" while moving to America and trying to 'fit in,' which is a lot of what this show unfolds.

BWW Detroit: The Mountain deals with topics that spark a lot of debates easily and quickly in our current society, but ones that are vital to our national discussion; why do you think it is important for people to come see it?

Aya Aziz: I think it's important for people to come see this play because it can change their perspectives about immigrants. There is a lot that Aya tries to hide by being silly and cheerful and that is accurate for most immigrants of all ages. It also teaches the audience that racism and xenophobia are not inherent and can be unlearned. It's important for people to see this play because we want children to think twice when they see someone new on the playground, and we want adults to be more empathetic when they come across an immigrant person. We may have a vague understanding of what being an immigrant is like via the news, but The Mountain uncovers it on a deeper layer. In addition, The Mountain tells the story of the many immigrant children that are detained without their parents.

The Mountain allows children to be exposed to real topics at an early age, but not in a harsh or freighting way. The Mountain brings forward Spinning Dot's missions of brining international plays to America and opening our eyes to different things. It makes the world feel big and small all at once.

You can connect with Aya Aziz on Instagram at @Aya_Aziz and Twitter @AyaSAziz.

You can connect with Spinning Dot Theatre at Twitter at @SpinDotTheatre and facebook/spinningdot.

The Mountain is currently running until August 26th at Spinning Dot Theatre in Ann Arbor. Tickets are available 30 minutes prior to each performance and donation based. For more information and showtimes, visit www.spinningdot.org.