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

  • 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!

    ”
  • Erin Dietsche: Eight Ways to Plead with a God by Kanika Vaish
    “

    This play beautifully explores spirituality, love, growth, and much more. I was hooked from the opening scene at the airport. I would love to see this piece staged.

    This play beautifully explores spirituality, love, growth, and much more. I was hooked from the opening scene at the airport. I would love to see this piece staged.

    ”
  • Zach Barr: Eight Ways to Plead with a God by Kanika Vaish
    “

    WATCHED AT VALDEZ THEATRE CONFERENCE
    An Epic work in the truest sense of the word, Vaish’s wholly original play is a lush reckoning with faith, ambition, and the need to be remembered for, or by, something. Featuring eight fully human characters, and a tone of exuberant theatricality, it’s a journey more than worth the trek for any company ambitious enough to stage it. Harrowing and uplifting in equal measure.

    WATCHED AT VALDEZ THEATRE CONFERENCE
    An Epic work in the truest sense of the word, Vaish’s wholly original play is a lush reckoning with faith, ambition, and the need to be remembered for, or by, something. Featuring eight fully human characters, and a tone of exuberant theatricality, it’s a journey more than worth the trek for any company ambitious enough to stage it. Harrowing and uplifting in equal measure.

    ”

Character Information

  • 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
      Male
  • 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
      Female
  • BEN
    A queer 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
      Male,
      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
      Male
  • 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
      Female
  • 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
      Female
  • 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
      Male
  • 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

Development History

Production History

  • University, Columbia University School of the Arts, 2022

Awards

  • Publication in "Frozen Women, Flowing Thoughts" Anthology
    Venus Theatre
    Selection
    2024