House of India by Deepak Kumar

In memory of her late husband, Ananya runs “House of India”, the last remaining restaurant in a once-flourishing Asian strip mall in Ohio. All around her are pressures to change – from her finances, from her environment, and most annoyingly, from Jacob, a Thai-American entrepreneur determined to convert the restaurant into a nationwide fast-casual Indo-fusion franchise. When the restaurant is vandalized, Ananya...
In memory of her late husband, Ananya runs “House of India”, the last remaining restaurant in a once-flourishing Asian strip mall in Ohio. All around her are pressures to change – from her finances, from her environment, and most annoyingly, from Jacob, a Thai-American entrepreneur determined to convert the restaurant into a nationwide fast-casual Indo-fusion franchise. When the restaurant is vandalized, Ananya must make a choice: give up on her husband's “American dream” and close up shop or compromise to stay afloat? A play about South Indian food, familial expectations, and figuring out what really makes a "house" a home.
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House of India

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation:
    21 Nov. 2022
    “ The community of national & local readers for the 45th annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival (2022) enthusiastically recommends HOUSE OF INDIA as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation.
    We were deeply moved by the investigation of how the ‘American Dream’ has shifted for immigrant families especially across generational differences. We were compelled by the play’s promise in it’s execution of the familial relationships & obligations and themes of capitalization of identity and assimilation. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production. #BAPF2022 ”
  • Carissa Atallah:
    8 Nov. 2022
    “ A wonderful, heartfelt play that explores the nuances of being first and second-generation Americans. The beats in dialogue really flow. I can't wait to see more from Kumar! ”
  • Kate Douglas:
    23 Jul. 2022
    “ A beautifully crafted, heartfelt, and witty exploration of home, family and legacy. ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

All characters should be played by Asian actors. Ananya, Vikram, and Vaidehi can be played by any South Asian actors. Jacob can be played by any Southeast Asian actor.

  • Jacob
    late 20s,
    Thai
    ,
    a man
    Wants to be an entrepreneur.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Ananya
    50s,
    Asian (South Asian)
    ,
    a woman
    Runs “House of India”, Vikram and Vaidehi’s mother.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Vaidehi
    late 20s,
    Asian (South Asian)
    ,
    a woman
    Wants to be an artist.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Vikram
    30s,
    Asian (South Asian)
    ,
    a man
    Wants to be a writer.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male

Awards

Finalist
,
Blue Ink Award
,
American Blues Theatre
,
2023
Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
Playwrights Foundation
,
2022
Selection
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
,
2022