The Frontliners

by Zahida Rahemtulla

It is late January 2016. Canada is receiving 25,000 Syrian refugees. As three frontline employees try to find housing for refugee families staying in Hotel Splendid against Vancouver's impossible rental market, their lives are brought together in ways that irreversibly shape them.

“Captures, with economy, humour, and heart, the intense rollercoaster ride of working in a refugee placement agency during a...

It is late January 2016. Canada is receiving 25,000 Syrian refugees. As three frontline employees try to find housing for refugee families staying in Hotel Splendid against Vancouver's impossible rental market, their lives are brought together in ways that irreversibly shape them.

“Captures, with economy, humour, and heart, the intense rollercoaster ride of working in a refugee placement agency during a housing crisis.”
— Voaden Prize in Playwriting

Winner of the Playwrights Guild of Canada 2021 RBC Emerging Playwright Award, the Fringe New Play Prize, Theatre BC’s Play of Special Merit Award, and runner-up for the national Voaden Prize in Playwriting.

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The Frontliners

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  • Playwrights Foundation: The Frontliners by Zahida Rahemtulla
    “

    The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced THE FRONTLINERS as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were intrigued by the play's central questions about refugee workers and if one can find a home and family when so much has been left behind. We found compelling the character's relationships and struggles, and the issues the play raises for workers in refugee communities navigating complicated systems. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey...

    The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced THE FRONTLINERS as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were intrigued by the play's central questions about refugee workers and if one can find a home and family when so much has been left behind. We found compelling the character's relationships and struggles, and the issues the play raises for workers in refugee communities navigating complicated systems. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production. #BAPF46

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    ”
The following roles are meant for actors of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent. Where possible, casting as close to the regional identities and ages as possible is ideal. However, in the Vancouver Fringe New Play Prize production and readings leading up, we sometimes had to be flexible with age. Please feel free to get in touch if there are questions about casting!

The Arabic in the play is the Syrian dialect (specifically from Aleppo). If support is needed with dialect or language coaching, please get in touch as the Cultural and Language Consultation team from the Vancouver Workshop Production has consulted remotely before, and our team may be able to make recommendations.

Characters:
YUSUF, fifty-seven
Eritrean migrant living in Vancouver for the last thirty-three years.
Suave, fatherly, and charming. Laughs at his own jokes. Speaks with an East-African accent.

OMAR, twenty-six
Recently arrived Syrian-Palestinian.
Extremely sincere, with a strong sense of duty. Quick to lead. Speaks with an Arabic accent.

NADIA, twenty-two
Second-generation of Bangladeshi descent.
Two steps forward one step back kind of person. Nerdy.

Development History

  • Commission, Company Theatre Toronto, 2021
  • Commission, Playwrights Theatre Centre New Play in Development Prize, 2020
  • Residency, Arts Club Emerging Playwrights Unit, 2019

Production History

  • Fringe, Fringe New Play Prize, 2022

Awards

  • Creative Artist Awards
    Silk Road Institute
    Winner
    2020
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • Play of Special Merit Award
    Theatre BC
    Winner
    2020
  • RBC Emerging Playwright Award
    Playwrights Guild of Canada
    Winner
    2021
  • Voaden Prize in Playwriting
    Dan School of Music and Drama
    Runner Up
    2021
  • Fringe New Play Prize
    Playwrights Theatre Centre
    Winner
    2021