American Fast

American Fast

Faith. Fame. The cost of winning.

College basketball superstar Khady Salama is poised to carry her team through the NCAA Women’s Championships, but when March Madness coincides with Ramadan, Khady lies to her devout mother about performing her fast. When her mother goes public with the story of Khady’s devotion to both Islam and basketball, Khady finds herself an unwilling heroine of young Muslim women. This fast-paced play questions family, faith, and what it means to win at all costs.

Commissioned by Artists Repertory Theatre
85 minutes · 1M, 3W · Flexible set
Purchase Script
Click to enlarge
Productions
Awards
  • Nominee Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Original Production2025
  • Nominee Barrymore Award for Outstanding Original Production2023
  • Winner Woodward/Newman Award2022
  • Finalist Crosswords Project Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative2022
  • Winner Capital Repertory Next Act! New Play Summit2021
Development
  • Colorado New Play Summit · Denver Center for the Performing Arts
  • Capital Repertory Theatre · Albany, NY
  • UC Santa Barbara Launch Pad Series
Poster
American Fast — Theater Alliance 1
American Fast
is a slam dunk.
· Morris Theatre DC
American Fast — Theater Alliance 2
Moves at a thrilling pace without sacrificing emotional intimacy.
· DC Theater Arts
American Fast — Theater Alliance 3
Nominated for 9 Helen Hayes Awards
Including Outstanding Production
American Fast — InterAct Theatre 1
Nominated for 3 Barrymore Awards
Including Outstanding Original Production
American Fast — InterAct Theatre 2
Captivating.
Brimming with compelling tension and intricate dynamics.
· Broad Street Reviews
American Fast — Capital Stage 1
At once substantial,
enlightening,
and very entertaining.
· OutWord Magazine
American Fast — Capital Stage 2
American Fast is a winner.
A smart script and its lightning-fast pace make it a must-see.
· BroadwayWorld
American Fast — Artists Rep 1
Wonderfully
multi-layered.
· Oregon Music News
American Fast — Artists Rep 2
In Fahmy's skillful hands, American Fast entertains and enlightens, and is never preachy, as it races through an imaginary March Madness in a very American Ramadan.
· Portland Tribune
American Fast — Artists Rep 3
Especially admirable in the surehanded way that it mainstreams the cultural specificity of Khady's life and predicament.
· Oregon Arts Watch
American Fast — Constellation 1
A beautiful peek into a different side of people's "hoop dreams."
· Central Indiana Stages
American Fast — City Theatre 1
Presents four fully realized,
complex characters
in complex relationships.
· onStage Pittsburgh
American Fast — City Theatre 2
Fahmy's script sparkles.
· 'Burgh Vivant

Videos

City Theatre Trailer

Capital Stage Trailer

Colorado New Play Summit Featurette

Artists Repertory Theatre Teaser