A long journey from Syria to the stage
Dr. Salpi Adrouny’s life story is fascinating backdrop for ACT1 performance
By BARBARA McFANN
When novice actress Salpi Adrouny first steps onto the stage of ACT1 Theater’s production of “Every Little Crook and Nanny” this month, the recently retired Alpharetta physician might experience a few opening night jitters …or perhaps not.
A comedic tale of inept crooks and sweet nannies can scarcely compete with the doctor’s real life stories of delivering babies during snowy Milwaukee winters; flying around Alaska with a bush pilot boyfriend; climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro; or, most notably, fleeing to America as a young girl for religious freedom.
Adrouny was born in the ancient Syrian city of Aleppo in 1945, which had become home to millions of Christian Armenian refugees who fled Turkey’s brutal “ethnic cleansing” during World War 1.
In her early years, life was comfortable for the Adrouny family within the Armenian enclave of Aleppo. Their modest fourth floor apartment overlooked a boulevard which led to Aleppo’s famous citadel, and from this vantage point they watched parades, weddings, funerals, and later …the military marching.
But political power shifted, and once again the Protestant Armenian community was threatened. Adrouny’s father knew his adopted country was not safe. A bio-chemist with a master’s degree from the American University in Damascus, George Adrouny applied to American universities for admission into their doctorial programs. He was given a student visa to attend Emory University; however his family would remain behind in Syria for four years until they were reunited.
In 1955, George Adrouny became a member of the Emory faculty and received a permanent US visa which allowed his family to join him in Atlanta. Left behind in Syria were most of the family possessions, including the family’s beloved piano.
A comedic tale of inept crooks and sweet nannies can scarcely compete with the doctor’s real life stories of delivering babies during snowy Milwaukee winters; flying around Alaska with a bush pilot boyfriend; climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro; or, most notably, fleeing to America as a young girl for religious freedom.
Though she spoke no English, Salpi Adrouny was able to learn enough in two weeks to enter fifth grade at Druid Hills Elementary School. There, she was thrilled to find a music program.
“Dad could not afford [another] piano, so he told me I could play his ebony flute,” recalls Adrouny. “When the day came for me to take the instrument to my fifth grade band, he opened the case and there was a brand new flute that I am sure was not easy for him to purchase.”
The new flute was particularly precious to her, said Adrouny, even though it was an ordinary student flute. She knew the family’s assets had been used to bring the family to the United States.
“The first time I blew into it, I hyperventilated and nearly fainted.” She said, laughing.
After receiving his doctorate, Salpi’s father accepted a position at Tulane University and moved the family to New Orleans. Salpi received a scholarship to Newcomb College of Tulane University, and spent her junior year abroad in Paris where she came to love all things French.
Though her passion was music, theater and French literature, her father encouraged her to stay with the sciences. Adrouny graduated from Newcomb as a Biology major with a French minor, then earned her Master’s Degree in Reproductive Physiology from the University of Wisconsin.
In 1972, Adrouny became one of the first females accepted into the Tulane University School of Medicine, and received her MD in 1976. She was accepted into the Family Practice Residency program at St. Luke’s hospital in Milwaukee and started her medical practice in Milwaukee in 1979 as a family doctor where she remained for the next 13 years.
Adrouny returned to Georgia in 1980, and continued to practice medicine until retiring in 2010.
In retirement, Adrouny has returned to her first love -music. She now performs with her flute in three groups–Sounds of Sawnee Community Band, Southern Winds Concert Band and Atlanta Flute Ensemble.
She also volunteers at the Good Samaritan Clinic in Gwinnett several times a month to provide care for people who have no health insurance. At the clinic she also serves as a mentor to medical students, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants.
And this month she brings her can-do spirit to the stage in her acting debut role of “Mrs. Sims,” the grandmother of young Gerald, a “half-pint brat with an Al Capone do-it-yourself kit.”
For Adrouny, life continues to be an adventure.
ACT1 Theater’s production of “Every Little Crook and Nanny” opens March 1, and runs every Friday and Saturday through March 24 at the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street in Alpharetta, 30009. For tickets and more information visit www.act1theater.com or 770-663-8989.
Having met Salpi at school in New Orleans, I was not aware of her vast achievements until the above article was brought to my attention. I reconnected w/her in 2012 via Facebook. I remember her family but did not know of their struggle prior to New Orleans. What an amazing woman. I am very proud to say I know her.