Lavina Jadhwani

Lavina Jadhwani

Lavina Jadhwani is a Chicago-based director, adaptor, and activist. As writer, her work had been developed by American Theatre Company, CAATA, the Gift Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Stage Left Theatre (Chicago). Her play VANYA (or "That's Life!") premiered with Rasaka Theatre Company (the Midwest's first South Asian American ensemble) in 2017; THE SITAYANA is...
Lavina Jadhwani is a Chicago-based director, adaptor, and activist. As writer, her work had been developed by American Theatre Company, CAATA, the Gift Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Stage Left Theatre (Chicago). Her play VANYA (or "That's Life!") premiered with Rasaka Theatre Company (the Midwest's first South Asian American ensemble) in 2017; THE SITAYANA is currently in rehearsal with East West Players; A CHRISTMAS CAROL is slated for production at the Guthrie.

Lavina’s directing credits include work at Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Teatro Vista, and Victory Gardens.

Lavina maintains relationships with Silk Road Rising (Artistic Associate), Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Artistic Engagement Associate), and the National New Play Network (Affiliated Artists Council and recent board member). Proud graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University (MFA, Directing), Carnegie Mellon University (BFA, Scenic Design; Masters, Arts Management), and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.

Plays

  • THE SITAYANA (or "How to Make an Exit") by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 3
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    Cast: 
    1
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    Genre: adaptation, drama + 1 more
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    Keyword: hinduism, feminist
    Genre: adaptation, drama, fable/folktale
    Keyword: hinduism, feminist
    The young princess Sita follows her new husband Ram to his kingdom in Ayodhya - only to learn that he has been banished to the forest! Refusing to abandon her partner, she joins him in exile, but finds her loyalty tested to surprising lengths. A solo piece written for a South Asian woman, The Sitayana is part Hindu epic, part coming of age story, and, ultimately, a break up play. Adapted from the Sanskrit epic...
    The young princess Sita follows her new husband Ram to his kingdom in Ayodhya - only to learn that he has been banished to the forest! Refusing to abandon her partner, she joins him in exile, but finds her loyalty tested to surprising lengths. A solo piece written for a South Asian woman, The Sitayana is part Hindu epic, part coming of age story, and, ultimately, a break up play. Adapted from the Sanskrit epic poem, The Ramayana.

    Currently in rehearsal with East West Players/Hypokrit/EnActe Arts.
  • A Christmas Carol by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    12–30
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    Genre: adaptation, holiday + 2 more
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    Keyword: christmas, Charles Dickens
    Genre: adaptation, holiday, period, young audiences
    Keyword: christmas, Charles Dickens
    A nimble Dickensian adaptation, written to be performed by as few at 12 (or as many as you'd like). Inclusive casting required. Can be performed with intermission or without.

    Currently in development at the Guthrie.
  • The Cherry Orchard by Lavina Jadhwani
    Cast: 
    10–16
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    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 2 more
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    Keyword: Chekhov, comedy + 1 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, period, political
    Keyword: Chekhov, comedy, translation
    A contemporary language version of Chekhov's classic. Freely available for scene study/classes (donations happily accepted via Venmo; @lavinajadhwani).
    Please contact my agents for performance availability.
  • Shakuntala, freely adapted from Kalidasa by Lavina Jadhwani
    Cast: 
    8–9
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    Genre: adaptation, adventure + 6 more
    Genre: adaptation, adventure, comedy, fable/folktale, musical, political, romantic comedy, young audiences
    A modern adaptation of Kalidasa’s Sanskrit drama, infused contemporary Bollywood music.
  • Uncle Vanya by Lavina Jadhwani
    Cast: 
    8–9
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    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 4 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, drama, romantic comedy, tragedy, translation
    A contemporary language version of Chekhov's classic. Freely available for scene study/classes (donations happily accepted via Venmo; @lavinajadhwani).
    Please contact my agents for performance availability.
  • JULIET AND REESE by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: period, political + 2 more
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    Keyword: Dallas, gun violence + 3 more
    Genre: period, political, romantic comedy, tragedy
    Keyword: Dallas, gun violence, protest, JFK, Shakespeare
    A pair of star crossed lovers are forced to grow up too soon when their are confronted with violent events in their community. This 10 minute play that spans four centuries, including two shootings in Dallas (1963 and 2016) with a little Shakespeare mixed in.
  • VANYA or "That's Life!" by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    7
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    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 2 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, romantic comedy, translation
    In this hilarious and sharp reinvention of UNCLE VANYA, there is great providence in the shattering of a teacup, time moves backwards, and our bored, sad Chekhovian friends have a tendency to lapse into singing American Indie Folk tunes. What could be more Russian? Or American?