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

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: The Frontliners

    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

Development History

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

Production History

  • Type Fringe, Organization Fringe New Play Prize, Year 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