The Indiana Repertory Theatre continues to bring meaningful and thought-provoking productions to downtown Indianapolis, and its newest show, English, is one that truly stays with you long after the curtain falls.
Written by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Sanaz Toossi, English is now running on the Janet Allen Stage at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, offering audiences a powerful and deeply human story about language, identity, and the universal desire to belong.
At its core, the play takes place in a classroom in northern Iran where four adult students are preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The classroom rule is simple: English only. But as the students struggle to communicate in a language that isn’t their own, something deeper begins to unfold.
Through humor, vulnerability, and moments of quiet reflection, the play explores how learning a new language can reshape how we see ourselves — and how the world sees us.
As someone whose first language is not English, I found this story incredibly personal.
Learning English is not just about vocabulary or grammar. It’s about confidence, identity, and sometimes even vulnerability. There are moments when you want to express something meaningful, but the words simply don’t come out the way you feel them.
English captures that experience beautifully.
The play shows both the frustration and beauty of learning a new language, reminding us that language is not just a tool for communication — it is deeply connected to culture, identity, and belonging.
Director Azar Kazemi, who makes her Indiana Repertory Theatre debut with this production, perfectly balances humor and emotion. As she describes it, the play is “as funny as it is poignant, as playful as it is profound,” and that balance is exactly what makes the show so powerful.
The production features a talented cast portraying the students and teacher navigating the complexities of language and identity.
The cast includes:
Natasha Behnam as Elham
Neagheen Homaifar as Marjan
Leyla Modirzadeh as Roya
Emelia Maryam Mosay as Goli
Revon Yousif as Omid
Many of the actors have appeared in major television productions and on the stage across the country, bringing authenticity and depth to the story.
The result is a performance that feels intimate, honest, and emotionally engaging.
Beyond the performance itself, the Indiana Repertory Theatre is also hosting special programming during the run of the show, including community conversations with organizations focused on English language learning and language justice, as well as artist discussions that provide behind-the-scenes insight into the production.
These conversations reflect the broader themes of the play and encourage audiences to reflect on the role language plays in shaping identity and community.
📍 Location: Indiana Repertory Theatre
140 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN
🎭 Stage: Janet Allen Stage
📅 Run Dates: March 10 – April 4, 2026
⏱ Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, no intermission
🎟 Tickets: Starting at $27
For tickets and the full performance schedule, visit IRTlive.com.
We had the opportunity to attend Opening Night on March 13, which included pre-show festivities, food and drinks, a selfie station, and a special champagne toast after the performance. Guests were also given the rare chance to step onto the stage and explore the set alongside the IRT artisans who brought the production to life.
It was a wonderful celebration of theatre and community.
English is not just a play about learning a language.
It’s a story about identity, connection, vulnerability, and belonging.
Whether English is your first language or your fifth, the themes of this play are universal. It reminds us that communication is more than words. It’s about understanding each other.
And in a city as diverse and vibrant as Indianapolis, stories like this feel especially important.
If you’re looking for a meaningful night of theatre in Indianapolis, English at the Indiana Repertory Theatre is absolutely worth experiencing.
Photos by We Like Indy Team. The final two images feature the cast of the IRT’s 2026 production of English. Photo by Zach Rosing.
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