Esspy

by Nandita Shenoy

When first year medical student, William encounters standardized patient, Anu, he doesn’t know what to make of her or the training. What is he supposed to learn from pretending to diagnose an actor pretending to be a patient? His teacher, Dr. Mendoza, doesn’t think much of it either. But as William moves through his medical studies, he discovers that being a doctor is more than science. A play about the...

When first year medical student, William encounters standardized patient, Anu, he doesn’t know what to make of her or the training. What is he supposed to learn from pretending to diagnose an actor pretending to be a patient? His teacher, Dr. Mendoza, doesn’t think much of it either. But as William moves through his medical studies, he discovers that being a doctor is more than science. A play about the nature of compassion and whether it can be learned.

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Esspy

Recommended by

  • Joel Stone: Esspy by Nandita Shenoy
    “

    This play has it all: interesting, well-rounded, diverse characters, broad comedy, touches of drama, and incredible dialogue. You'll learn a great deal about esspys - actors who play patients in various scenarios -- and what it feels like to be an inexperienced medical student who has so much to learn about his own capacity for empathy. This is a richly layered, comic play that probes the heart of the human experience.

    This play has it all: interesting, well-rounded, diverse characters, broad comedy, touches of drama, and incredible dialogue. You'll learn a great deal about esspys - actors who play patients in various scenarios -- and what it feels like to be an inexperienced medical student who has so much to learn about his own capacity for empathy. This is a richly layered, comic play that probes the heart of the human experience.

    ”
  • Stephen Kaplan: Esspy by Nandita Shenoy
    “

    Funny and poignant at the same time - my favorite kind of play! Shenoy captures both the absurdity and humanity of training for the medical field and does this in a tight 90 minutes. A really lovely piece of writing that will resonate with anyone who's ever been to the doctor.

    Funny and poignant at the same time - my favorite kind of play! Shenoy captures both the absurdity and humanity of training for the medical field and does this in a tight 90 minutes. A really lovely piece of writing that will resonate with anyone who's ever been to the doctor.

    ”
  • Jonathan J. Samarro: Esspy by Nandita Shenoy
    “

    Esspy is a simultaneously hilarious and touching piece about a young aspiring doctor's journey toward empathy and humanity. It deftly speaks to the trauma and isolation of modern life. These characters are vivid and distinct, slowly drawing you in so that you, as an audience member, unwittingly have the same experience as the play's protagonist. A truly delightful piece of art.

    Esspy is a simultaneously hilarious and touching piece about a young aspiring doctor's journey toward empathy and humanity. It deftly speaks to the trauma and isolation of modern life. These characters are vivid and distinct, slowly drawing you in so that you, as an audience member, unwittingly have the same experience as the play's protagonist. A truly delightful piece of art.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

  • Anu Shilpa
    Character ages from late 20s to late 30s over the course of the play; an actor who works as a standardized patient between theater gigs; her skills as a communicator make her a good teacher
    late 20s to late 30s
    South Asian American
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • William Chen
    Character ages from early 20s to early 30s; awkward medical student who is in desperate need of communications training; his intelligence sometimes overshadows his bedside manner.
    early 20s to early 30s
    East Asian American
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Dr. Mendoza
    William's mentor, a doctor and medical professor who values science over soft skills, a no nonsense instructor who has a dramatic streak
    60s
    Filipina
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Residency, University of Washington, Mellon Creative Fellowship, 2018
  • Workshop, Queens College - Kupferberg Center, 2015
  • Reading, Lark Playwrights Center, 2013
  • Reading, Ma-Yi Theater Company, 2012

Production History