Beni-Suef University Theater Team Wins Best Lighting Design Award at the National Theater Festival
Media Center
Dr. Tarek Ali, Acting President of Beni-Suef University, announced that the University’s theater team won the awards for **Best Director** and **Best Lighting Design** for their play *“The Trial of Mr. Arthur Miller”*, directed by Youssef Al-Mansour and supervised by Captain Mohamed Farouk, General Director of Youth Welfare at the University. The recognition came during the 18th edition of the Egyptian National Theater Festival, chaired by actor Mohamed Reyad, and staged at Al-Taliaa Theater.
The play received the **Best Lighting Design Award**, which went to Mahmoud El-Husseiny “Kajo.”
In addition, the jury nominated the play’s director, Youssef Al-Mansour, for the **Best Director Award**.
The performance was reviewed by the festival’s jury committee, chaired by actor Riad El-Khouly and comprising actor Yasser Sadeq, actress Manal Salama, Dr. Atef Awad, musician Waleed El-Shehawy, Dr. Mahmoud Sami, and Dr. Hatem Hafez.
The play enjoyed overwhelming public attendance during its two nights at Al-Taliaa Theater, with audiences filling the venue to capacity in a vibrant atmosphere.
The results were announced on the Grand Theater stage at the Cairo Opera House during the closing ceremony of the 18th National Theater Festival held yesterday. Notably, **Beni-Suef University was the only university to win awards at the festival.**
The University President stressed the importance of student participation in extracurricular activities, especially artistic ones, as they are a cornerstone in developing students’ personalities. He highlighted that arts such as painting, theater, and design open new horizons for creativity and self-expression, allow students to build connections beyond academics, enhance self-confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills, and strengthen students’ sense of belonging to their institution — all of which positively reflect on academic achievement and psychological balance.