Iranian-American Actress Vaneh Assadourian Brings Nuanced Perspective to "ENGLISH" at Alley Theatre

The play explores the universal experience of learning a new language and finding one's identity across cultures.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Vaneh Assadourian, an Iranian-American actress, is starring in the play "ENGLISH" at the Alley Theatre in Houston. The play, written by Sanaz Toossi, follows five strangers in an Iranian Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) class, each with their own personal reasons for learning the language. Assadourian plays the character of Goli, the youngest in the group, whose relationship to English is more of a choice than a necessity. The play explores themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges of existing in a new language and culture. Assadourian, who moved to the U.S. from Iran as a teenager, draws on her own experiences to bring authenticity and nuance to the role.

Why it matters

The play "ENGLISH" comes at a time when the political climate surrounding Iran and the Middle East is tense, and the news often fails to represent Iranians and other Middle Eastern people as fully human. Assadourian hopes the play will allow audiences to see the shared humanity in the characters, regardless of their cultural or linguistic differences. By focusing on the universal experiences of the characters, the play aims to challenge stereotypes and foster greater understanding.

The details

"ENGLISH" is set in 2008 in Karaj, Iran, and takes place entirely within an English language classroom. The five students, from diverse backgrounds and with varying reasons for learning English, form unexpected connections as they navigate the challenges of the TOEFL exam. Assadourian's character, Goli, is described as a young, carefree spirit who sees learning English as a choice rather than a necessity, providing a counterpoint to the more dire circumstances of the other characters.

  • The play "ENGLISH" runs at the Alley Theatre in Houston through March 8, 2026.

The players

Vaneh Assadourian

An Iranian-American actress playing the role of Goli, the youngest character in the play "ENGLISH." Assadourian moved to the U.S. from Iran as a teenager and draws on her own experiences of learning English and navigating a new culture.

Sanaz Toossi

The American playwright of Iranian descent who wrote the play "ENGLISH." The play was inspired by the Muslim ban and aims to humanize Iranians and challenge stereotypes.

Alley Theatre

The Houston-based theatre company hosting the production of "ENGLISH" on their Neuhaus stage.

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What they’re saying

“Given the context of the time that we live in right now, and what's going on in Iran. This play is not political, but this play came out of the Muslim ban, out of a need. The Muslim ban inspired this story, so it came out of a very political space, and Iran is very politically charged.”

— Vaneh Assadourian, Actress (Broadway World)

“I really hope that people walk into this play and walk out of it understanding that Iranians are humans, just like everybody else. This is a beautiful, touching, funny story about normal people existing in their lives, and what separates us, maybe, is our language and our culture, but at our core, we're all the same.”

— Vaneh Assadourian, Actress (Broadway World)

What’s next

The play "ENGLISH" runs at the Alley Theatre in Houston through March 8, 2026, providing audiences with the opportunity to experience the universal themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges of learning a new language.

The takeaway

By focusing on the shared humanity of the characters in "ENGLISH," the play challenges stereotypes and fosters greater understanding between cultures, offering a nuanced perspective on the immigrant experience even before the journey of immigration begins.