English

by Sanaz Toossi, directed by Azar Kazemi

March 10 - April 4

Janet Allen Stage

10

Tuesday

March 10, 2026

11

Wednesday

March 11, 2026

12

Thursday

March 12, 2026

13

Friday

March 13, 2026

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the power of language

“English only” is the mantra that rules a classroom in Iran where four adults prepare for an English language exam. But while a new language may represent a new life, how will it alter their identities? This inspirational Pulitzer Prize winner shows that there is more to life than can be spoken in mere words. A thoughtful and heartfelt exploration of the human desire to belong. 

 

Study Guide – Download here!

Know Before You Go

  • Tickets range from $27 to $120
  • 1 hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission
  • Recommended for 7th grade and above
  • ASL-interpreted, audio described and open captioned performances are available on select dates
  • Content Spotlight: Contains profanity and complex themes of cultural identity and immigration struggles.

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Special Programming

Show Times

Tue, March 10, 2026

7:30PM

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Wed, March 11, 2026

6:30PM

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Thu, March 12, 2026

7:30PM

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Fri, March 13, 2026

7:30PM

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Sat, March 14, 2026

5:00PM

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Sun, March 15, 2026

2:00PM

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Thu, March 19, 2026

2:00PM

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Thu, March 19, 2026

7:30PM

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Sat, March 21, 2026

1:00PM

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Sat, March 21, 2026

5:00PM

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Sun, March 22, 2026

2:00PM

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American Sign Language and Audio Description Performance
ASL/AD

Tue, March 24, 2026

6:30PM

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Thu, March 26, 2026

2:00PM

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Thu, March 26, 2026

7:30PM

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Fri, March 27, 2026

7:30PM

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Sat, March 28, 2026

5:00PM

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Sun, March 29, 2026

2:00PM

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Sun, March 29, 2026

6:00PM

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Wed, April 1, 2026

7:30PM

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Thu, April 2, 2026

7:30PM

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Fri, April 3, 2026

7:30PM

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Sat, April 4, 2026

4:00PM

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Sat, April 4, 2026

8:00PM

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Ticket Info & Discounts

The IRT offers a variety of price points and discounts to fit every theatre-goer’s budget! The Ticket Office team can assist you with the best ticketing option.
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Accessibility Matters

IRT is an inclusive theatre and offers many accessibility options, including audio enhancement, large print programs, and sensory supports.
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FAQs

FAQs will be evolving as we have more information to share! Check for everything from parking and attire to ticketing needs and accommodations.
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Cast

Natasha Behnam
Elham
Natasha Behnam
Elham
Natasha is a first-generation Iranian American actress, comedian, and writer. You can see her starring in the final season of Netflix's hit show You, and also HBO Max's original show The Girls on the Bus. Most recently, you can see her alongside Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington in Apple TV's Imperfect Women. She has two feature films premiering in 2026, CognAItive and Napa Boys. Her other feature credits include American Pie: Girls Rules (Netflix/Universal), Cupid for Christmas (Hulu), and Diamond in the Rough (Amazon). "I am honored to bring life to the rich and nuanced experience of being Iranian American, and I hope to continue being a part of work that touches on the inherent oneness within the human experience."
Reza Diako
Omid
Reza Diako
Omid
Reza is a Swiss-born Iranian actor educated in both the UK and the US. Reza is perhaps best known for playing Philip in the hit series The Chosen, which has a 400 million+ following. The show has just wrapped filming its fifth season. His other television credits include Netflix’s The Diplomat, Sky/HBO’s I Hate Suzie, Tehran for Apple TV+, and Around the World in 80 Days for BBC. Reza’s feature film credits include Reading Lolita in Tehran, The Persian Version, The Beekeeper, and The Astronaut.
Neagheen Homaifar
Marjan
Neagheen Homaifar
Marjan
Neagheen Homaifar is an Iranian-American actor, writer, and Harvard University honors graduate whose theatre credits include English (Long Wharf Theater, TheaterWorks Hartford, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Selling Kabul (Signature Theatre), and Scorched (ExPats Theatre). Highlights of her film and TV credits include Me (AppleTV+), Killing It (Peacock), The Resident (Fox), and Before Dawn, Kabul Time (Hulu), a short film that premiered at Tribeca Festival and qualified for Best Live Action Short consideration at the 95th Academy Awards. Neagheen co-hosted the award-winning comedy podcast Best Friends Back, Alright! with Mythical Entertainment. @neagheen
Lanna Joffrey
Roya
Lanna Joffrey
Roya
(she/her) Lanna is an Iranian performer/writer who has performed extensively in theatre, film, audio, and her spoken word.​ Theatre: RSC, Kiln​, Shakespeareís Globe​, A​.C​.T, Old Globe, Arena Stage​, Seattle Rep, Pitlochry, Traverse, Tron​, Gate, Park, Cervantes​, Hoxton, Lyric Stage, Kitchen, Denver Center. Awards: NY Fringe​ (Valiant), IRNE ​(Nine Parts of Desire), and Ovation​ (1001). Her critically acclaimed verbatim docudrama, Valiant, has toured throughout the UK/US, notably for the United Nations, Edinburgh Fringe, NY Fringe, and Women of the World Festival. It is published by NoPassport Press. lannajoffrey.com
Emelia Maryam Mosay
Goli
Emelia Maryam Mosay
Goli
is a first-generation Iranian and Armenian American actress and writer currently studying at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She studied for six years at the FirstTake Acting School and for three years at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Emelia's stage credits include Top Girls (Patient Griselda), Richard II (Duke of Aumerle), and Cloud 9 (Victoria) at the Stella Adler Studio. This production marks Emelia's debut at a repertory theatere. "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to help share such a beautiful story with audiences." @emelia_maryam

Creative Team

Azar Kazemi
Director
Azar Kazemi
Director
(she/her) Azar is first-generation Persian American and a freelance director and educator based in Chicago. She directs socially charged plays where the political and personal collide, giving voice to those the world chooses to ignore. Earlier this season she directed the Chicago premiere of Sanaz Toossi's play Wish You Were Hereto rave reviews. Azar is an equity Jeff-nominated director for her work on the world premiere of Motherhouse by Tuckie White. She holds an M.F.A. from The Theatre School at DePaul University, where she is also on faculty and received the 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award. Azar is thrilled to be making her Indiana Repertory debut. To learn more please visit: AzarKazemi.com
Riw Rakkulchon
Scenic Designer
Riw Rakkulchon
Scenic Designer
(he/they) Riw (pronounced Ree-you) is a set and costume designer, animator, and chef from Bangkok, Thailand. He has worked at Yale Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Rep, Hartford Stage, Syracuse Stage, The Old Globe, Asolo Rep, Cleveland Play House, Alley Theatre, Theatre Squared, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, KCRep, Primary Stages, The Public Theatre, Audible Theatre, and Brooklyn Academy of Music, amongst others. Broadway Associate Set Design: Pass Over, &Juliet, Parade. Member of USA 829. Board member of WithAll, a non-profit Organization on a fight to end eating disorders. @riwrdesign
Camille Deering
Costume Designer
Camille Deering
Costume Designer
Camille has designed costumes for Wad for the New Harmony Project and served as Assistant Costume Designer for The Marriage of Figaro for Santa Fe Opera. She contributed to the world premiere ballet Star on the Rise: La Bayadère, Reimagined! Camille assisted in the design for Yuletide and had her work featured at the University of Michigan. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with industry icons like Ann Roth and participated in productions at the Los Angeles Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and New York Theatre Workshop. Her designs have been highlighted in the New York Times.
Dawn Chiang
Lighting Designer
Dawn Chiang
Lighting Designer
Dawn has designed King James, Little Shop of Horrors and Shakespeare’s Will and Sense and Sensibility at the IRT. Broadway: Zoot Suit and co-designer for Tango Pasión. Off Broadway: Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theatre; Encores! Concert Musicals, co-designer. Opera: resident lighting designer, New York City Opera. Regional: Guthrie Theater, Mark Taper Forum, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory, Syracuse Stage, Denver Center Theatre Company, Trinity Repertory Company, and many more. Awards: One Broadway World award, two Syracuse Area Live Theatre Awards, two Drama-Logue Awards, and USITT Distinguished Achievement Award. Mentor for Theater Development Fund’s “Wendy Wasserstein Project” outreach program for New York City high school students.
Willow James
Sound Designer
Willow James
Sound Designer
Willow is a Chicago-based arts leader, DJ, and multidisciplinary artist working in photography, sound design, and composition. He uses art as a platform for community healing and work that uplifts Black identity—building spaces where art and purpose meet. He serves as Civic Engagement Director at Definition Theatre, where he is also an ensemble member. Chicago: You Will Get Sick (Steppenwolf); Fat Ham (Goodman/Definition); A Raisin in the Sun (Court Theatre); Hot Wing King (Writers); Hymn (Chicago Shakespeare). Regional: American Players, TheatreSquared, Next Act, Alleyway, and others.
Joy Lanceta Coronel
Dialect Coach
Joy Lanceta Coronel
Dialect Coach
(she/her) Joy is a coach, writer, and theatre artist. New York (selected): What Became of Us, The Great Leap (Atlantic Theatre Co); Among the Dead, Once Upon a (Korean) Time (Ma-Yi Theatre). Regional (selected): Sense and Sensibility (American Players Theatre); King John, Dracula (Actors Theatre of Louisville); A Christmas Carol, Dial M for Murder, Stones In His Pockets (Theatre Squared); The Heart Sellers (The Guthrie, Milwaukee Rep, The Huntington); The Far Country (Berkeley Rep). B.F.A. from University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. M.F.A. from Central School of Speech and Drama.
Jacob C. Shuler
Production Dramaturg
Jacob C. Shuler
Production Dramaturg
Jacob is a 2012 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University where he achieved a B.F.A. in Playwriting. There, he authored The Death of Gaia Divine, which merited a staged production through the school's New Playwright Series. Jacob is the founder of Momentary Theatre, which curates stories that record, reveal, and react to human progress over time. 9 to 5, Jacob works at Chicago's Field Museum where he wrote and produced the Museum's first ever drag show. Most recently, Jacob dramaturged Remy Bumppo's production of Sanaz Toossi's Wish You Were Here, directed by Azar Kazemi.
Erin Robson-Smith
Stage Manager
Erin Robson-Smith
Stage Manager
Since moving to Indianapolis in 2013, Erin has had the pleasure of working with IRT and its incredible staff. Favorite productions include A Christmas Carol, The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin, Pipeline, Finding Home with IRT; The Hotel Nepenthe and Love Bird with the Phoenix Theatre; The Convent with Summit Performance Indianapolis; Sometimes a Great Notion and Frost/Nixon with Portland Center Stage; and Metamorphoses and Frozen with Artists Repertory Theatre. Erin spent the summers of 2008 and 2009 working with the JAW Festival at Portland Center Stage.  
Claire Yenson, CSA
Casting Director
Claire Yenson, CSA
Casting Director
(she/her) Claire is a New York-based casting director who works in film, TV, and theatre. She is the resident casting director at New York Theatre Workshop and Playwrights Realm. Additional theatre credits include Audibleís Minetta Lane Theatre, The Acting Company, Edinburgh Fringe, the Public Theater, Studio Theatre, and Shakespeare Theatre. IRT: The Glass Menagerie. Film/TV includes XO, Kitty (Netflix); Pachinko (Apple TV+); Fleishman Is in Trouble (FX); Sharper (A24); and Modern Love (Amazon).