Sanaz Toossi's Pulitzer Prize–winning play English comes to the Firehall Arts Centre, January 23 to February 1

Amir Hosseini directs the Blackout Art Society production about four Iranian adults preparing for an English proficiency exam

Firehall Arts Centre presents the Blackout Art Society production English, winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, from January 23 to February 1.

Written by Sanaz Toossi, English is a quietly powerful and deeply human play about four Iranian adults preparing for an English proficiency exam in a storefront classroom near Tehran. As they navigate grammar rules and pronunciation exercises, they also wrestle with the deeper 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, English explores themes of belonging, cultural displacement, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of a new life. Blackout Arts Society’s artistic director Amir Hosseini will direct the play.

Toossi is an Iranian American playwright from Orange County, California who is also behind the dramatic comedy Wish You Were Here.

Tickets to English are available through the Firehall Arts Centre.

Post sponsored by Firehall Arts Centre.

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THEATREStir VancouverJanuary 2, 2026Partner Content, Firehall Arts Centre, FIREHALL, Firehall Arts CEntre, Blackout Art Society

Sanaz Toossi's Pulitzer Prize–winning play English comes to the Firehall Arts Centre, January 23 to February 1

Amir Hosseini directs the Blackout Art Society production about four Iranian adults preparing for an English proficiency exam

Firehall Arts Centre presents the Blackout Art Society production English, winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, from January 23 to February 1.

With warmth, humour, and insight, English explores themes of belonging, cultural displacement, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of a new life. Blackout Arts Society’s artistic director Amir Hosseini will direct the play.

Toossi is an Iranian American playwright from Orange County, California who is also behind the dramatic comedy Wish You Were Here.

Tickets to English are available through the Firehall Arts Centre.

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