Eight Ways to Plead with a God

by Kanika Vaish

Six tourists and a local climbing guide set out to summit a historically insurmountable Himalayan mountain believed to be the abode of several Godly presences. As their physical limits, relationships to one another, and perceptions of reality are tested with each meter they climb, they are forced to strip down to their barest selves and find a way to achieve their new collective goal: survival.

Six tourists and a local climbing guide set out to summit a historically insurmountable Himalayan mountain believed to be the abode of several Godly presences. As their physical limits, relationships to one another, and perceptions of reality are tested with each meter they climb, they are forced to strip down to their barest selves and find a way to achieve their new collective goal: survival.

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Eight Ways to Plead with a God

Recommended by

  • Emma Durbin: Eight Ways to Plead with a God by Kanika Vaish
    “

    One of my favorite outdoor adventurer genre plays and a brilliant ensemble piece! Vaish deftly crafts eight distinct yet intertwined character arcs as the cast treks up steep and treacherous mountain slopes. Vaish also brings to life a timely journey as all eight characters begin their climb with the same western extractive mindsets that we are all so used to seeing in mountaineering movies and media, and brings us to a necessary alternative viewpoint by the play's conclusion.

    One of my favorite outdoor adventurer genre plays and a brilliant ensemble piece! Vaish deftly crafts eight distinct yet intertwined character arcs as the cast treks up steep and treacherous mountain slopes. Vaish also brings to life a timely journey as all eight characters begin their climb with the same western extractive mindsets that we are all so used to seeing in mountaineering movies and media, and brings us to a necessary alternative viewpoint by the play's conclusion.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Eight Ways to Plead with a God by Kanika Vaish
    “

    A brilliant ensemble piece. Loved the moments where each character get to wrestle with their beliefs. A true testament to what humans are capable of when they really want something. Loved the moments when the actors improvise. This play must be a blast for actors. It feels like a piece that could be really elaborate scenery-wise or really simple. This would be a great challenge for a set and projection designer. Would love to see this produced. A really strong script.

    A brilliant ensemble piece. Loved the moments where each character get to wrestle with their beliefs. A true testament to what humans are capable of when they really want something. Loved the moments when the actors improvise. This play must be a blast for actors. It feels like a piece that could be really elaborate scenery-wise or really simple. This would be a great challenge for a set and projection designer. Would love to see this produced. A really strong script.

    ”
  • Annie Considine: Eight Ways to Plead with a God by Kanika Vaish
    “

    I saw this piece at Valdez Theatre Conference and was blown away by the characters and world Kanika Vaish has created. The stage direction to "move a mountain" may effectively demonstrate to how epic the plot of this play is and the influence of that into the design is incredible. I can't wait to see this in full production!

    I saw this piece at Valdez Theatre Conference and was blown away by the characters and world Kanika Vaish has created. The stage direction to "move a mountain" may effectively demonstrate to how epic the plot of this play is and the influence of that into the design is incredible. I can't wait to see this in full production!

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • AMAAL
    An undiscovered photojournalist striving to capture the first ascent of the mountain. Blunt, ambitious, independent. American-born, or born and raised in the MENASA region.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • BEN
    A depressed poet with plans to finish his last poetry collection on the mountain. Warm, self-deprecating, hopeless romantic. American. Any ethnicity, but POC preferred.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • ERIC
    A healthcare consultant. Married to MAGGIE, and desperately trying to repair their marriage. Charming, trusting, hardworking. American.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • JAYA
    (Pronounced JUH-yuh). An actor who loves to play the ingenue. Awaiting a proposal from WES while looking to find her true self. Flirty, soulful, curious. American.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • MAGGIE
    A middle school teacher. Married to ERIC, and fighting for their daughter’s life. Assertive, reliable, determined. American. Any ethnicity, but POC preferred.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • SHRIKANTH
    (Pronounced SHREE-kaanth). A local mountaineer who frequently guides troops on smaller-scale mountains. Disciplined, private, judgmental. Born and raised in India.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • TRISH
    Short for Trishala (THRISH-uh-la). A snow leopard who lives on the mountain. Tough, transcendent, calming. Any gender, but non-binary preferred. Also provides the voice of THE VOICE.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • WES
    An intellectual property lawyer and mountaineering hobbyist. Dating JAYA, but mostly for the optics. Loud, insecure, entitled. Of Western descent (i.e. American, Australian, British, etc.)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Reading, Whale Watch Series x East Village Basement, 2025
  • Reading, Valdez Theatre Conference, 2024

Production History

  • University, Columbia University School of the Arts, 2022

Awards

  • NewWorks@TheWorks Playwriting Competition
    Playhouse on the Square
    Finalist
    2024
  • Monologue publication in "Frozen Women, Flowing Thoughts" Anthology
    Venus Theatre
    Selection
    2024