English – Courtesy of Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
English – Courtesy of Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
Sanaz Toossi’s drama, English, is being performed on the Janet Allen Stage at Indiana Repertory Theatre. Its relevance and timeliness are especially noteworthy. I saw the absorbing play exploring themes of language, identity, and cultural assimilation on Friday. A Pulitzer Prize-winning work, it premiered Off-Broadway in 2022 and made its Broadway debut in 2025 at the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Todd Haimes Theatre. As an assimilated Mexican American, raised with a foot in two cultures, the play held deep personal meaning for me.
Set in a 2008 English-language classroom in Karaj, Iran, Sanaz Toossi’s drama skillfully blends humor and poignancy as four adult learners prepare for the TOEFL examination. The dedicated students, each from a unique background, immerse themselves in vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation exercises. While the lessons initially seem practical and focused on the mechanics of language, it soon becomes clear that deeper emotional issues are at play.
English – Courtesy of Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
As the course progresses, classroom activities shift from routine drills to more personal exchanges, with students opening up about their own life experiences and navigating occasional misunderstandings. What began as a collective goal—mastering “proper” English—gradually transforms into a struggle with exclusion. The conflict does not erupt in a single dramatic moment; rather, it intensifies through the constant pressure of being judged in a language that is not fully their own.
The play thoughtfully examines whose voices are heard and what it costs to adapt one’s identity for others. The steady tension of self-translation and striving for acceptance underscores the emotional complexity faced by each student, underscoring the profound impact of language on personal and cultural belonging. Toossi’s writing displayed cleverness, depth, and honesty, addressing issues of race, class, and relationships with a mix of humor and thoughtful insight.
English – Courtesy of Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
The characters include Elham (Natasha Benham), an aspiring medical student; Omid (Revon Yusif), seeking a green card; Roya (Leyla Modirzadeh), striving to communicate with her Canadian granddaughter; and Goli (Emelia Maryam Mosay), determined to be proficient. Their teacher, Maran (Neagheen Homifar) , enforces a strict English-only rule, underscoring, cultural and cultural conflicts.
The keenly observed play’s cultural authenticity is ensured by on-point director Azar Kazemi, an Iranian American, who led an accomplished cast that included three other Iranian Americans, all of whom turned in convincing performances that were vivid and nuanced.
Establishing itself as Indiana’s leading professional theatre and one of the nation’s most respected regional companies, the inclusive English production team incorporated elements that showcased Broadway-level production values. Scenic Designer Rivi Rakkulson, Costume Designer Camille Deering, Lighting Designer Dawn Chang, and Sound Designer Chiang all deserve recognition for their exceptional craftsmanship.
English became my first language because my parents, who were once uneducated, migrant farm workers from Texas, feared my siblings and I would face the prejudice they experienced if we learned Spanish. As someone who values Mexican heritage, this led to an unwanted language barrier with my Latino community. Now, as I actively learn Spanish, I find myself relating to the themes of assimilation and identity explored in this play, even though my parents were not immigrants, my family’s experience was similar. The challenge of fitting in while honoring my roots remains a central part of my life.
Another reflection I offer if that the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict highlights the impact of collateral damage on innocent people. It’s distressing to consider that those depicted in Toossi’s play may be facing similar hardships due to this war.
For tickets and information about English, which continues through April 4, visit irtlive.com
