In the fall of 2021, in an innovative response to the ongoing pandemic, Hypokrit Productions and EnActe Arts collaborated with East West Players (EWP) to present the world premiere of The Sitayana, written by Lavina Jadhwani (Time Out Chicago’s “Best Next Generation Stage Director”), and directed by Reena Dutt (Dir. Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine’s – Sacred Fools). The Sitayana premiered with 9 livestreamed performances and ran on demand from September 25 to October 17, 2021.
The Sitayana is an artful transposition of the Hindu epic The Ramayana told from Sita’s point of view. Part epic tale, part coming of age story, The Sitayana is the ultimate breakup play. Audiences will be able to choose between three different incarnations of Sita—Sita's Mehndi Party, Amar Chitra Sita, and Sita's Slumber Party. Each offers different incarnations of the same legendary story, upending traditional gender norms and subvert idealized views of femininity along the way.
Cast & Creative
Cast
Nikita Chaudhry as Sita (Teen)
Sheetal Gandhi as Sita (Mehndi)
Minita Gandhi as Sita (Heroine)
Creative team
Reena Dutt – Director
Amrita Ramanan – Dramaturg
Lisa Tom – Director of Photography
Kristen Flores – Production Designer
Nancy Chou – Video Editor/Graphic Effects and Titles Artist
Ashphord Jacoway – Costume Designer
Sharath Patel – Sound Designer
Aki Ruiz – Illustrator
Neha Assar Pancha – Mehndi Artist
Brandon Cheng* – Stage Manager
Our Producing Partners
EnActe Arts is a non-profit organization co-located in Silicon Valley, California, and Houston, Texas. The term “South Asian” is used broadly by EnActe Arts to represent the people of the greater Indian subcontinent living in the region and abroad, including the historical cultural influences of the region. EnActe Arts is a talent incubator and a platform for engaging diverse populations in conversations on social issues to create greater awareness and tolerance from a South Asian perspective. EnActe’s programs and productions are rooted in developing talent and creating opportunities for actors, playwrights and creative and technical production staff at any skill level and of all ages and ethnicities.
East West Players, founded in 1965, is committed to raising the visibility of the Asian American experience by presenting inventive world-class theatrical productions, developing artists of color, and providing impactful youth education programs. East West Players’ vision is to inspire and advocate for a world free of racism and discrimination through transformative artistic works.