Lavina Jadhwani

Lavina Jadhwani

Lavina Jadhwani is a Chicago-based director, adaptor, and activist. As writer, her work had been developed by the Guthrie, the Goodman, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Theatre Company, CAATA (Consortium of Asian American Theatre Artists), the Gift Theatre, and more. Lavina’s directing credits include work at Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater, Asolo Rep, the Guthrie, Mixed Blood,...
Lavina Jadhwani is a Chicago-based director, adaptor, and activist. As writer, her work had been developed by the Guthrie, the Goodman, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Theatre Company, CAATA (Consortium of Asian American Theatre Artists), the Gift Theatre, and more. Lavina’s directing credits include work at Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater, Asolo Rep, the Guthrie, Mixed Blood, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Teatro Vista, and Victory Gardens.

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. SHAKUNTALA will be developed via the Goodman's Future Labs.

Lavina maintains relationships with Silk Road Rising (Artistic Associate) and the National New Play Network (Affiliated Artists Council and 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
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, drama + 1 more
    ·
    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.
  • Birbal and Akbar: Stories of Wit and Wisdom from India by Lavina Jadhwani
    Cast: 
    8–12
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 5 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, fable/folktale, movement/physical, musical, translation, young audiences
    King Akbar rules wisely and fairly with the help of his famously witty courtier Birbal. Stories of their friendship are woven together with classic Indian folk tales about community, honesty, and fairness. This nimble script invites clever movement and prop design and is aimed for audiences of all ages.
  • Shakuntala, freely adapted from Kalidasa by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    8–9
    ·
    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.
    Development: Goodman Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
  • A Christmas Carol by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    12–30
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, holiday + 2 more
    ·
    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.

    Premiering at the Guthrie in November 2021.
  • The Seagull by Lavina Jadhwani
    Cast: 
    10–12
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 4 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, drama, period, tragedy, translation
    A contemporary language version of Chekhov's classic.
    commissioned by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
  • Three Sisters by Lavina Jadhwani
    Cast: 
    8–12
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 4 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, drama, period, romantic 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.
  • The Cherry Orchard by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    8–12
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 5 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, drama, period, political, romantic 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.
  • Uncle Vanya by Lavina Jadhwani
    Cast: 
    8–9
    ·
    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.
  • VANYA or "That's Life!" by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    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?
  • Juliet and Reese by Lavina Jadhwani
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: period, political + 2 more
    ·
    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.