Notes From the Designers of ENGLISH

Identity is a central theme in Sanaz Toossi’s English, as the characters grapple with the complexities of language, culture and the pressures of assimilation. Shahrzad Mazaheri and Afsaneh Aayani, the costume and set designers for English, share their inspirations and reflect on the show's artistic and cultural meanings.

Shahrzad Mazaheri, Costume Designer

English has played a profound role in shaping my artistic journey. It mirrors many aspects of my own lived experience — both as a former English teacher and as a former student in Iran — allowing me to embody the perspectives of these roles. When creating each character, I immerse myself deeply in their world, considering how the outside world influences this intimate space. I reflect on what they do when they’re not in class, how they interact with the world, and how they wish to be perceived by others.

This process leads me to explore the complexities of being Iranian, particularly the tension between contrasting ideas and the duality of navigating the "underground" and the "outside world." This internal struggle is beautifully captured in the artwork below by my artist friend, Peyman Shafieezadeh. It is such a privilege to be able to tell these stories, our stories, to the world.

Untitled (from baudrrduab series)
Courtesy of the Artist, Peyman Shafieezadeh
Pencil on cardboard, Collage 2011
Provided by Shahrzad Mazaheri

Afsaneh Aayani, Set Designer

English, for me, is not just a play – it’s deeply personal. Being from Iran and now living in the U.S., I have gone through the journey of being hopeful like Goli, proud like Elham and eventually worn down like Marjan [characters in the play]. Every immigrant, regardless of nationality, understands this struggle of identity, dreams and reality that shapes who we become as people. English reflects this story specific to my culture in a language and form that an English-speaking audience can understand. 

Given how old the culture is in Iran, it’s common for buildings that look old on the outside to be nicely renovated and modern on the inside. This is one of the elements you’ll see expressed in this design with the yard that has textured cement tiles and clay pots while the inside of the classroom has modern white walls and is relatively empty. The classroom looks a lot like what I saw when I attended similar classes in Tehran. Teachers rotate between rooms so there are no personal effects or fun posters hanging on the walls. Many times, there’s just a clock and a whiteboard and that’s all that is there with you, the teacher and the other students. 

Bringing this set to the stage in a way that is true both to the story and to my culture has been critically important. I’m grateful for this opportunity to design this set for one of my favorite plays at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Set Design for English

Pictured above: Shahrzad Mazaheri (left) and Afsaneh Aayani (right)