THREE DIFFERENT PLAYS
Theme: Common Language
JUNE 24 - JULY 20, 2025
Three different award-winning and thought-provoking plays, all taking place in the historic Firehouse Arts and Events Center.
3 PLAYS, 6 NIGHTS A WEEK, FOR 4 WEEKS
Bellingham TheatreWorks, in partnership with The Firehouse Arts and Events Center, The Historic Fairhaven Association, presents three plays in repertory.
All three plays are inspired by this year’s theme: In Search of a Common Language, which explores how language is deeply aligned with culture and identity, and how it can lead to unexpected interpersonal challenges, and characters who desperately want to communicate but are faced with language barriers.
Audience members will experience the intimacy of being in the round, sitting in proximity to the actors as they explore a hilarious satire, a lyrical look at the past, and a heartfelt comic hug.
We are pleased to be the only theatre in the Pacific Northwest that offers a summer repertory season.
We also invite the audience to stay and participate in the post-show discussions with community organizations that are addressing issues raised by these plays.
FSRT 2025 FEATURED ARTISTS:
Sandy Brewer, Christopher C. Cariker, Trish Cosgrove, Ken Dalena, Ryan Duke, Tim Foster, Cassi Kiger, Evelyn Keay, Muhsin Korkulu, Logan Liteky, Johncen Oxales, Kua Patten, Micah Patelli, Daniel Repp, Kaleb Van Rijswick, Pascale Sanok, Dany Shaw, Ethel Stephens, Christina Stoeffler, Joseph Uhl, Joseph Voegele, Cindy Whiston, Laura Williams-French
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Our company works with many students and educators, parents and children, as well as guest artists from far beyond Bellingham Bay, all working together to bring these three plays to life.
1
TRANSLATIONS
by Brian Friel
Directed by Kayla Adams
A British soldier falls in love with an Irish peasant girl, with a backdrop of the British Army’s campaign to change the names of native Gaelic locations. This lyric play explores language as the soul of a nation, during a time of complicated social upheaval.
“A stirring work of art.”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES
Tony Award Nomination, Best Play, 1981
Laurence Olivier Award Nomination, Best New Play, 1989
2
THE FOREIGNER
by Larry Shue
Directed by Mark Kuntz
In a fishing lodge in rural Georgia, a tragically shy proofreader for a science fiction magazine tries to hide from life, only to put himself in the middle of a family squabble over money and power.
“The Foreigner is as close to a foolproof comedy as one is likely to find.”
—LA TIMES
Outer Critics Circle Award, Play, 1985
Obie Award, Distinguished Playwriting, 1984–85
3
THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE
by Julia Cho
Directed by Cara Phipps
In this heartfelt, bittersweet comedy, George is consumed with preserving and documenting the dying languages of the world. At home, however, despite all the languages he speaks, words fail him in his marriage with his wife.
“An elegant examination of the spaces between words and feelings.”
—THE SEATTLE TIMES
Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Drama, 2011
Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Drama, 2010
SHOW GALLERIES
Translations
Photos by David Cohn.
The Foreigner
Photos by David Cohn.
The Language Archive
Photos by Shane Lynette and David Cohn.
MEET THE DIRECTORS
Kayla Adams
Translations
Video by Ava Nicholas & Adeline Roesler-Begalke.
Mark Kuntz
The Foreigner
Video by Ava Nicholas & Adeline Roesler-Begalke.
Cara Phipps
The Language Archive
Video by Ava Nicholas & Adeline Roesler-Begalke.
POST-SHOW COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS
Sunday, June 29: The Language Archive*
led by Mauri Ingram, Whatcom Community Foundation President and CEO, and Brad Tuininga, VP of Philanthropy
*Reception following in the Firehouse garden
Sunday, July 6: Translations
led by Josh Krenz, Director of Educational Programming for the Bellingham Script Studio and Director of Content Services at Steyer Content, and Heather Jefferson, Lummi Nation member, supporting local schools and social agencies with training and facilitation on ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and REACH (Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage)
Sunday, July 13: The Foreigner
led by Marlowe Lawson, 2025 WWU graduate in Energy Policy and Management, focusing on applied hope and community joy, restoring agency during times of crisis, fostering strong communities, civic involvement, and stakeholder engagement.