SUMMER IN GOSSENSASS, by Maria Irene Fornes

Produced by Halcyon Theatre
Opened January 2010 at Lincoln Square Theatre

Chicago premiere; part of Halcyon’s 2010 Alcyone Festival, which celebrated the work of playwright Maria Irene Fornes. Two friends fight to produce the first English language performance of Hedda Gabler. They must surmount obstacles including a rival production which includes the Prince of Wales’ miscast girlfriend and a translator who does not know the original’s Norwegian language. In the process they chart a course for a new future.

“There are elements of backstage farce and literary sleuthing… director Lavina Jadhwani infuses it with spirit.” —Zac Thompson, Chicago Reader

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Featuring Austin Campion, Catherine Dughi, Audrey Flegel, Kate McGroarty and Michael Mercier. Photos by Steve Jones.

YONI KI BAAT: 2010, by various authors (curated by Lavina Jadhwani)

Produced by Rasaka Theatre Company in association with Premiere Theatre and Performance
Opened January 2010 at Strawdog Theatre

A monologue cycle for South Asian women, loosely inspired by Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. Updated material and cast from the 2009 Chicago premiere.

“The cast is highly enjoyable, bringing an easy authenticity and accessibility to moments that could otherwise seem alien to other cultures. Director Jadhwani keeps the evening brisk and fun to watch, breaking up the action with bursts of Bollywood music and slinky staging.” —Caitlin Montanye Parrish, Time Out Chicago
“The cast of Lavina Jadhwani’s Rasaka Theatre production deliver the candid, witty, sometimes sexually explicit script with disarming, deceptively casual simplicity.” —Albert Williams, Chicago Reader
“An intimate, titillating and most importantly thought provoking look at female sexuality from a South Asian perspective… Lavina Jadhwani’s gentle staging is reverent and efficient.” —Joe Stead, Steadstyle Chicago

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Featuring Amanda Bobbitt, Amrita Dhaliwal, Seema Kumbhat, Mouzam Makkar and Alka Nayyar. Photos by Jon Tyler Core.

SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD, by Peter Parnell

Produced by Team Venture Productions
Opened September 2009 at Stage Left Theatre

A memory play about a childhood friendship, severed by an apparent suicide.

“Sad, occasionally riveting and ultimately poignant. Director Lavina Jadhwani channels the youthful testosterone into a simple but creative meditation on grief and loss.” —Joe Stead, Steadstyle Chicago
“Simple, successful staging is propelled by thought… I found myself fearing for their characters, teetering on the precipice of their lethal immaturity.” —Marissa Oberlander , Chicago Reader

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Featuring Danny Bernardo and Jacob A. Ware. Photos by Austin D. Oie.

CULTURE/CLASH: THREE PLAYS ABOUT THE SOUTH ASIAN DIASPORA, by Anita Chandwaney, Angeli Primlani and Pushkar Sharma

Produced by Rasaka Theatre Company in association with Premiere Theatre and Performance
Opened August 2009 at Strawdog Theatre

Lavina directed the nation’s first South Asian short play festival, which included the world premiere productions of:

• Instant Recall by Anita Chandwaney: Madhu can’t seem to recall why she asked Nigel to meet her at the café—or can she?
• Night Shift by Angeli Primlani: A young girl and an older woman face danger and each other in the middle of the night in a motel lobby on a quiet North Carolina highway.
• Midnite’s Vultures by Pushkar Sharma: Two Indian-American poets in their twenties confront the paradoxes of their identity when asked what it means to be an Indian in America.

“[A] charming series of one-acts about the South Asian diaspora that deftly overcomes stereotypes of victimization and the American dream.” —Monica Westin, Newcity Stage
“culture/clash manages to evoke worlds both brutal and endearing, comical and absurd.” —Anna Pulley, Centerstage

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Featuring Nadia Anwar, Anand Bhatia, Anita Chandwaney, Amrita Dhaliwal, Jordan Kohl and Vincent P. Mahler. Photos by Tom McGrath.

THE DEVIL'S ARITHMETIC, by Jane Yolen (adapted by Nick Izzo)

Produced by Apple Tree Theatre
Opened April 2009 at the Karger Center

Lavina returned to TYA at Apple Tree to direct this production, which toured to three locations (Apple Tree Theatre, Gorton Community Centre and Metropolis Performing Arts Centre). Apple Tree’s TYA program targets audiences in grades 5-9

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Featuring Danielle Cochrane, Erin Cole, Debra Rodkin, Peter Vamvakas and Bryan Wakefield. Photos by Shelley Nixon.