I'm a 2021 Salon Fellow!

I’m delighted to share that I’m a member of the inaugural class of the Salon XYZ Program. Established by noteworthy South Asian artists and executives (Reena Singh, Rishi Rajani, Bash Naran, Nik Dodani, Vinny Chhibber), the Program seeks to bolster South Asian visibility in front of and behind the camera. The year-long program offer a mentor, panels and networking opportunities. The 23 fellows were selected from 850 applications. 

Mentors include an impressive list of actors, writers, directors and execs of South Asian descent: Sara Rastogi (VP, Issa Rae Productions), Nirokhi Raychaudhuri (Manager, Netflix), Nick Krishnamurthy (VP, Esmail Corp.), Anu Valia (Writer/Director, Never Have I Ever, Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens), Punam Patel (Actress, Special), Sim Hothi (Manager, Three Six Zero), Sanjay Shah (EP, Central Park), Simran Baidwan (Co-Executive Producer, Manifest), Meera Menon (Writer/Director, Farah Goes Bang), Manish Dayal (Actor, The Resident), Melanie Chandra (Actress, Code Black), Sri Rao (Writer/Director, The Actress) and Aneesh Chaganty (Writer/Director, Searching).

The Salon was formed in 2019 and served as a forum for South Asian artists and executives in the entertainment industry. The group hosted networking events and facilitated meetings. The Salon is looking to launch a development program to grant funding to narrative films by South Asian filmmakers the U.S. For full details on the mentorship program visit thesalon.xyz/mentorship.

 

I'm a 2021 Cimientos Fellow with IATI Theater

I’m delighted to be one of 10 playwrights selected from around the world to participate in this NYC-based theater’s development program. The program is a six-month workshop which culminates in a performance at their theater in June 2021. The 2021 Cimientos will have two phases: 1. Weekly workshop meetings for each playwright to discuss his/her/their play. 2. Staged reading of each playwright’s play with professional directors and actors. A talkback will follow each reading.

I'M A PUBLISHED WRITER IN A KILROYS INITIATIVE

I'm in a book! So very excited to share this honor with my fellow theatre artists whose work is also featured and grateful to @tripwireharlot. Proceeds benefit a relief fund for artists: https://tripwireharlot.com/relief.html

THE KILROYS are a collective of playwrights, directors and producers in LA and NYC who mobilize others in the field and leverage their own power to support one another. Founded in 2013, The Kilroys are named after the iconic graffiti tag “Kilroy Was Here” that was first left by WWII soldiers in unexpected places, a playfully subversive way of making their presence known. Members are noted stage and screen writers based in NY and LA.

I'M A COMMISSIONED PLAYWRIGHT WITH ANTAEUS THEATRE

I'm so excited to have a commissioned play with Antaeus Theatre! Founded in 1991 in Los Angeles, Antaeus Theatre is an actor-driven theater company that explores and produces timely and timeless works. Celebrate the culture and history of LA neighborhoods from the safety of your home with The Zip Code Radio Plays, a new series of original radio plays coming November 2020!

You can read our review in the LA Times!

90011: South Central Los Angeles by Khari Wyatt

90012: DTLA by Angela J. Davis

90024: Westwood by Deb Hiett

90272: Pacific Palisades by Alex Goldberg

90403: Santa Monica by Nayna Agrawal

91352: Sun Valley by Steve Serpas

"Dharma" named Finalist by Illinois State University Playwriting Initiative

Crossroads Project’s Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative at Illinois State University has named Dharma as one of finalists. The Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative grants a stipend and an invitation to Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal, IL for a one-week new play development workshop, culminating in a public staged reading. The playwright may also be invited to offer guest lectures/colloquia.

Ensemble Studio Theatre LA Presents WinterFest 2020

“Slut” has been selected for EST’s Winterfest Festival. EST/LA is the West Coast offshoot of The Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York, the membership company founded by Curt Dempster in 1968. Founded in 1979, EST/LA is currently in residence at Atwater Village Theater. The company has a strong portfolio of developmental programs, produces multiple plays every season and presents lively off-night and late night programming.

https://www.estlosangeles.org/winterfest

NYC's Athena Theatre Selects DHARMA for its Reading Series Program

I am delighted to share that DHARMA has been selected for the Athena Theatre’s play reading series. This initiative was developed to explore original works for a World Premiere Production and/or New York Premiere Production. Athena Theatre is dedicated to curating, developing and producing NYC Premieres of contemporary plays that challenge traditional stereotypes, work that is visceral and complex, and stories borne out of philosophical conversations.

Athena Theatre is committed to introducing future classics: theatrical and universal pieces that explore issues surrounding modern living and communicate between diverse people and perspectives; works that captivate, resonate, and deepen audience awareness of timeless issues. Athena Theatre actively and responsibly invests in new voices for the stage by nurturing playwrights and promoting original works that highlight the melting pot of humanity.