Kanika Vaish

Kanika Asavari Vaish is an NYC-based playwright and director who spent her middle and high school years in Mumbai. She strives to dismantle historical barriers to theater for underrepresented artists, and is the co-founder of South Asian theater ensemble and incubator Fresh Lime Soda Productions. Her work focuses on hope, community, and transformation, and she believes in using theater as a tool for collective healing, social resistance, and self-empowerment. B.A. Wellesley College, M.F.A. Columbia University.

Kanika Asavari Vaish is an NYC-based playwright and director who spent her middle and high school years in Mumbai. She strives to dismantle historical barriers to theater for underrepresented artists, and is the co-founder of South Asian theater ensemble and incubator Fresh Lime Soda Productions. Her work focuses on hope, community, and transformation, and she believes in using theater as a tool for collective healing, social resistance, and self-empowerment. B.A. Wellesley College, M.F.A. Columbia University.

Scripts

Leave Shruti Alone!

by Kanika Vaish

Cast Size
7
Genre
adaptation,
drama,
romantic comedy

An Indian-American adaptation of Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, coming soon.

An Indian-American adaptation of Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, coming soon.

organic

by Kanika Vaish

Cast Size
1
Genre
dark comedy,
experimental

In development

In development

2nd Murderer

by Kanika Vaish

Cast Size
9
Genre
adaptation,
adventure,
comedy,
fantasy,
mystery/thriller

What happens when the mind can no longer contain what the heart wants? In the cutthroat world of New York theater, two bumbling actors land minor roles in a production of Richard III, only to find themselves trapped in a real-life plot of murder & betrayal. When reality gives way to fantasy, they choose to meddle with the plot and confront the man in power. 2ND MURDERER is a pulse-pounding dark comedy about...

What happens when the mind can no longer contain what the heart wants? In the cutthroat world of New York theater, two bumbling actors land minor roles in a production of Richard III, only to find themselves trapped in a real-life plot of murder & betrayal. When reality gives way to fantasy, they choose to meddle with the plot and confront the man in power. 2ND MURDERER is a pulse-pounding dark comedy about fate, purpose, and trusting that little voice in your head.

read more

Eight Ways to Plead with a God

by Kanika Vaish

5
Cast Size
8
Genre
adventure,
dark comedy,
drama,
faith-based,
fantasy,
movement/physical

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.

Jyoti's Bridge

by Kanika Vaish

5
Cast Size
3
Genre
dark comedy,
drama,
fantasy

Jyoti is stuck in a death-reincarnation limbo. Accompanied by Anirudh, who housed her soul in the previous life, Jyoti must confront each of her seven chakras in a series of dream-like memories, made more complex by the presence of her shape-shifting demon, Raakshas. This play is an existential crisis that explores transmigrated joy and trauma, seemingly inexplicable connections, and inner peace.

Jyoti is stuck in a death-reincarnation limbo. Accompanied by Anirudh, who housed her soul in the previous life, Jyoti must confront each of her seven chakras in a series of dream-like memories, made more complex by the presence of her shape-shifting demon, Raakshas. This play is an existential crisis that explores transmigrated joy and trauma, seemingly inexplicable connections, and inner peace.

First Encounter (three short plays)

by Kanika Vaish

Cast Size
9
Genre
dark comedy,
fable/folktale,
movement/physical,
satire

In India...
A thief confronts a snake guarding a box of family treasures. (ENTITLED)
A young woman faces a moral crisis when she realizes that one of the cockroaches in her apartment is her grandmother reincarnated. (REUNION)
A group of staff workers at a luxury safari lodge double as the troop of exotic animals white tourists have flocked to see. (CIRCUS)

In India...
A thief confronts a snake guarding a box of family treasures. (ENTITLED)
A young woman faces a moral crisis when she realizes that one of the cockroaches in her apartment is her grandmother reincarnated. (REUNION)
A group of staff workers at a luxury safari lodge double as the troop of exotic animals white tourists have flocked to see. (CIRCUS)

Sharks and Minnows

by Kanika Vaish

Cast Size
5
Genre
comedy,
young audiences

When high school student Richie gets separated from his class during a field trip to a local aquarium facing low attendance rates, employees Hara, Jo, Martin, and Eli must find a way to make Richie feel at home for the night during a city-wide blackout. In the process, the employees are schooled by the student on new ways to connect with and appreciate their own marine life, potentially saving the aquarium from...

When high school student Richie gets separated from his class during a field trip to a local aquarium facing low attendance rates, employees Hara, Jo, Martin, and Eli must find a way to make Richie feel at home for the night during a city-wide blackout. In the process, the employees are schooled by the student on new ways to connect with and appreciate their own marine life, potentially saving the aquarium from bankruptcy.

read more

The Divine Feminine

by Kanika Vaish

Cast Size
7
Genre
comedy,
drama,
faith-based

Devi and Vishnu are Hindu chaplains in training. But how can they advise others when they're busy dealing with identity crises of their own? This play explores faith as a means of comfort and guidance, but also questions whether or not religious leaders are doing the right thing in attempting to interpret and convey the words of Gods.

Devi and Vishnu are Hindu chaplains in training. But how can they advise others when they're busy dealing with identity crises of their own? This play explores faith as a means of comfort and guidance, but also questions whether or not religious leaders are doing the right thing in attempting to interpret and convey the words of Gods.

Ghost Play

by Kanika Vaish

Cast Size
11
Genre
comedy,
satire

Between her mother, two type-A lawyers, and major insecurities, can Rohini find a way to make herself happy? A love (?) story set in a courtroom in a parallel universe, this play considers the challenges young South Asian women face in today's dating world, unlearning how to please everyone but ourselves, and what we're really thinking when we ghost someone.

Between her mother, two type-A lawyers, and major insecurities, can Rohini find a way to make herself happy? A love (?) story set in a courtroom in a parallel universe, this play considers the challenges young South Asian women face in today's dating world, unlearning how to please everyone but ourselves, and what we're really thinking when we ghost someone.

Nocturnal Admissions

by Kanika Vaish

Cast Size
8
Genre
dark comedy,
mystery/thriller

In this morality-ish play, eight horny teenagers get high on peyote at an unsupervised sleepover in a creepy cabin by the lake. Nothing could go wrong, right? Mom?

In this morality-ish play, eight horny teenagers get high on peyote at an unsupervised sleepover in a creepy cabin by the lake. Nothing could go wrong, right? Mom?