English

​​​​​​​​​​​​A 2023 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama, English by Sanaz Toossi is a quietly powerful and deeply human play about four Iranian adults preparing for an English proficiency exam in a storefront classroom in Karaj near Tehran. As they navigate grammar rules and pronunciation exercises, they also wrestle with the more profound implications of learning a language that represents new opportunities, personal reinvention, and, for some, a painful detachment from their identity and homeland. With warmth, humour, and insight, the play explores themes of belonging, cultural displacement, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of a new life.

 

In 2013, Vancouver, BC, witnessed the inception of a unique theatrical force: Blackout Theatre. Initially emerging as an ad hoc theatre ensemble, we passionately set our sights on creating socially aware and pioneering theatre experiences that resonated deeply with the Persian community. With the invaluable contributions of local Persian artists, our first four years were marked by performances that echoed our cultural heritage and enlightened our audiences.