Sanaz Toossi

Sanaz Toossi is an Iranian-American playwright, actor, and director based in New York City. She was born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in Orange County, California. Toossi's work explores themes of identity, displacement, and the immigrant experience.

Toossi earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Columbia University. Her plays have been produced and developed at theaters across the United States, including the Roundabout Theatre Company, the Atlantic Theater Company, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Toossi's play "Wish You Were Here" premiered at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2017. The play follows a group of Iranian immigrants who gather in a Los Angeles park to celebrate the Persian New Year. As they struggle to maintain their cultural traditions in a new country, they are forced to confront their own personal demons. The play was praised for its nuanced portrayal of the immigrant experience and its exploration of the complexities of identity.
In 2019, Toossi's play "English" premiered at the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City. The play follows a group of Iranian students who are studying in the United States during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. As they navigate the challenges of living in a foreign country during a time of political upheaval, they are forced to confront their own beliefs and values. The play was hailed as a powerful exploration of the immigrant experience and the complexities of cultural identity.
Toossi is also an accomplished actor and director. She has appeared on stage in productions of "The Who's Tommy" and "The Vagina Monologues," and has directed productions of "The Bald Soprano" and "The Lesson." Her work as a director has been praised for its clarity and precision, and for its ability to bring out the best in her actors.
In addition to her work in theater, Toossi has written for television. She was a staff writer on the HBO series "Room 104," and has also written for the Showtime series "The Chi." Her television writing has been praised for its sharp wit and its ability to tackle complex social issues with sensitivity and nuance.
Toossi's most recent work includes the play "Washeteria," which premiered at the Soho Rep Theatre in New York City in 2020. The play is set in a laundromat in Houston, Texas, and follows a group of characters as they navigate the challenges of life in a rapidly changing city. The play was hailed as a powerful exploration of race, class, and gentrification, and was praised for its sharp writing and its ability to tackle difficult social issues with humor and compassion.