A Distinct Society

by Kareem Fahmy

A quiet library that straddles the border of the U.S. and Canada becomes an unlikely crucible for five people from around the world. When an Iranian family, separated from one another by the "Muslim ban," use the library as a meeting place, the head librarian, a U.S. border patrol officer, and a local teenager have to choose between breaking the law and saving themselves.

A quiet library that straddles the border of the U.S. and Canada becomes an unlikely crucible for five people from around the world. When an Iranian family, separated from one another by the "Muslim ban," use the library as a meeting place, the head librarian, a U.S. border patrol officer, and a local teenager have to choose between breaking the law and saving themselves.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

A Distinct Society

Recommended by

  • Serena Collins: A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy
    “

    A DISTINCT SOCIETY celebrates our shared humanity through food, music, language and laughter. When a quiet library on the border between Vermont and Quebec turns into the unlikely meeting place for desperate families to reunite, the stakes are sky-high and each of the five characters is uniquely implicated. This play is gripping, heartbreaking, and hopeful. This is what the best of theatre has to offer – a chance to realize that what connects us is stronger than what divides us.

    A DISTINCT SOCIETY celebrates our shared humanity through food, music, language and laughter. When a quiet library on the border between Vermont and Quebec turns into the unlikely meeting place for desperate families to reunite, the stakes are sky-high and each of the five characters is uniquely implicated. This play is gripping, heartbreaking, and hopeful. This is what the best of theatre has to offer – a chance to realize that what connects us is stronger than what divides us.

    ”
  • Lynn Millar: A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy
    “

    A Distinct Society reveals such a society and creates one too. Five characters of different nature, heritage and situation talk in seamless language. Language that is seamless but fraught to absurd situations from 5 minute visits to sharing food to surrendering passports and life. The play gets better and better as is goes along revealing the characters to themselves and each other. Bravo.

    A Distinct Society reveals such a society and creates one too. Five characters of different nature, heritage and situation talk in seamless language. Language that is seamless but fraught to absurd situations from 5 minute visits to sharing food to surrendering passports and life. The play gets better and better as is goes along revealing the characters to themselves and each other. Bravo.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy
    “

    A brilliant play about the power of family in the face of cruel legislation.

    A brilliant play about the power of family in the face of cruel legislation.

    ”
View all 18 recommendations

Character Information

2W, 3M
  • Manon Desjardins
    A woman in her early 40s. White French-Canadian. The Head Librarian at the Haskell Free Library. Speaks with a mild Québécois accent. She is enigmatic.
    40s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Peyman Gilani
    A man in his 50s. Iranian. A cardiac surgeon. Speaks with a Persian accent. He is grounded.
    50s
    Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian -- Iranian
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Declan Sheehan
    A 15-year-old boy. White Canadian. A high school student. The child of Irish immigrants to Québec. He is lonely.
    15
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Shirin Gilani
    A woman in her mid-20s. Iranian. PEYMAN’s daughter. A medical student. Her accent is milder than her father’s. She is forthright.
    20s
    Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian -- Iranian
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Bruce Laird
    A man in his mid-to-late 30s. Black American. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent. He is charming.
    late 30s
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, 2021
  • Workshop, Citadel Theatre, 2021
  • Reading, New York Stage & Film, 2020
  • Workshop, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 2020
  • Reading, Capital Repertory Theatre, 2020
  • Reading, The Lark Play Development Center, 2019

Production History

Awards

  • National Showcase of New Plays
    National New Play Network
    Finalist
    2020
  • Next Act! New Play Summit
    Capital Repertory Theatre
    Winner
    2020
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • Premiere Stages 2020 New Play Festival
    Premiere Stages
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • National Playwrights Conference
    Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2020