A Distinct Society

by Kareem Fahmy

Nothing much ever happens in the sleepy Haskell Free Library that straddles the border of Vermont and Quebec. But when an Iranian father and daughter, separated by the “Muslim ban,” begin using the library as a meeting place, the French-Canadian librarian, an American border patrol agent, and a local teenager find their quiet lives suddenly full of excitement and consequence. Inspired by true events, A DISTINCT...

Nothing much ever happens in the sleepy Haskell Free Library that straddles the border of Vermont and Quebec. But when an Iranian father and daughter, separated by the “Muslim ban,” begin using the library as a meeting place, the French-Canadian librarian, an American border patrol agent, and a local teenager find their quiet lives suddenly full of excitement and consequence. Inspired by true events, A DISTINCT SOCIETY is a touching and funny play about the many things—family, food, art, love, and politics—that can either divide or unite us.

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A Distinct Society

Recommended by

  • The Human Race Theatre Company: A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy
    “

    We recently produced A DISTINCT SOCIETY in Dayton, OH. To a person, our audiences responded positively to the material, reflecting on it's timely nature, the humanity with which the individual experiences and stories are reflected. Do this play. You will be glad you did for your artists, your audience, and your community. It's a great story that needs to be shared.

    We recently produced A DISTINCT SOCIETY in Dayton, OH. To a person, our audiences responded positively to the material, reflecting on it's timely nature, the humanity with which the individual experiences and stories are reflected. Do this play. You will be glad you did for your artists, your audience, and your community. It's a great story that needs to be shared.

    ”
  • 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.

    ”
View all 17 recommendations

Character Information

2W, 3M
  • Manon Desjardins
    A French-Canadian woman in her 40s. The Head Librarian at the Haskell Free Library.
    Speaks with a 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
    An Iranian man in his 50s. 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 Canadian boy. The child of Northern Irish immigrants to Québec. A high
    school student. Speaks with the slightest hint of a Canadian accent. He is lonely.
    15
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Shirin Gilani
    An Iranian woman in her mid-20s. A medical student and Peyman’s daughter. Her Persian 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 Black man in his mid-to-late 30s. 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

  • Professional, Firehouse Theatre, 2025
  • Professional, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, 2023
  • Professional, Writers Theatre, 2023

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