MISSION STATEMENT
Rasaka Theatre Company is based in Chicago and is the Midwest’s first South Asian American ensemble. Our goal is to increase diversity among artists and audience by engaging and illuminating the South Asian American experience. We are particularly dedicated to providing a platform for the artistic expression of South Asian artists.
Our vision encompasses the production of theatrical projects – newly created, adapted and already established. We aim to broaden, strengthen and enrich the experience of the theatre going audience thereby enhancing the local, regional, national and international reputation of Chicago theatre.
Beginnings
The Founding Members were informally brought together in January 2003 when Anjalee Deshpande was looking for South Asian actors to read scenes from her play Tamasha, a South Asian-American adaptation of Anton Chekov’s The Three Sisters. It quickly became apparent that we had the artistic merit, focus and vision to present interesting and compelling works of theatre. Anita Chandwaney paid 5 valuable visits to the Lawyers for Creative Arts and drafted the founding incorporation and IRS documentation in November 2003, resulting in the official incorporation of Rasaka Theatre Company on February 4, 2004. Barnali Das was responsible for our logo, website and business cards, ensuring Rasaka it’s distinctive presence in the Chicago theatre community!
Launched!
Rasaka Theatre Company’s public launch was our benefit party on December 11, 2003 at The Fizz Loft. The hypnotic sounds of Karma Sutra enchanted the guests as the timeless mystery of the East mingled with the modernism of the West. The launch party was followed on December 16, 2003 by a reading of Act I of Founding Member Anita Chandwaney’s play-in-progress, Gandhi Marg, at the Tony award winning Victory Gardens Theatre.
Forging Ahead in 2004
Rasaka Theatre Company’s proposal for a Staged Reading Series at The Storefront Theater was granted and inaugurated with Founding Member Anjalee Deshpande’s Tamasha, directed by Cecilie Keenan, on Monday, July 12, 2004. The next performance was of Mausi, an original screenplay by Sarthak and Sarba Das on Tuesday, September 14, 2004. Director Sarba Das’ staging played to a sold out house and received a standing ovation. Our annual benefit party, the 2004 Masala Ball, was held on Saturday, November 13th at the Fizz Loft. Once again, Karma Sutra swept the audience away, and DJ Sunny Singh kept the guests dancing with addictive Bollywood tunes! We closed out the year on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at 7:30 with Gandhi Marg written by Founding Member Anita Chandwaney and directed by Cecilie Keenan.
Moving Forward to 2005
Our 2005 staged readings were also hosted by The Storefront Theatre. On Tuesday, February 1, 2005, we presented The Waiting Room by Tanika Gupta and directed by Anita Chandwaney. On Wednesday, April 6, 2005 was a performance of Women of the Dust by Ruth Carter and directed by Anish Jethmalani. On September 28th was the first ever all South Asian female version of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross co-directed by Anjali Thawani and Bobby Zaman, allowing our South Asian actresses an opportunity to shatter stereotypes. We closed out 2005 on December 1st with Pat Rahmann’s The Opposition directed by Anish Jethmalani.
Rasaka’s Inaugural Production
Rasaka, in conjunction with the Prop Thtr Group, produced the world premiere of William Kovacsik’s The Masrayana. We are proud to have provided for the professional directorial debut of Founding Member Anish Jethmalani. The production team for this critically praised and JEFF RECOMMENDED show was lead by Ensemble Member Kern Wasan, who served as Production and Marketing Coordinator.
Our 2006-07 season
Rasaka had an exciting staged reading series this year, hosted at the Chicago Cultural Center Studio Theater. On Wednesday, September 6, 2006, we presented Light in the Village by John Clifford and directed by Bobby Zaman. On Wednesday, November 8, 2006 was a performance of 27 Wagons Full of Cotton by Tennessee Williams and directed by ensemble member Gitanjali Kapila.
On March 14, 2007 Rasaka presented Martin Sherman’s stage adaptation of E.M. Forster’s “A Passage to India” in collaboration with Lifeline Theatre. The staged reading was directed by Dorothy Milne, Lifeline’s Artistic Director.
Our staged reading series will close on May 23, 2007 with a presentation of the stage adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children.”
In addition to our staged reading series, Rasaka developed a show in collaboration with Remy Bumppo’s ThinkTank series entitled ‘Desi Women of the Diaspora.” The show featured a series of original works written and performed by Rasaka artists, discussing various topics related to immigration. The show was also presented at this years Kriti Literary festival.
Rasaka Theatre Company is 501©3 not-for-profit corporation.
OUR MISSION...
“Rasa” means the essence or inspiration of a work of art, and adding “ka” behind a word makes it “of” that, as in �of the essence of art.� Rasaka’s goal is to increase diversity among artists and audience by engaging and illuminating the South Asian American experience, with particular dedication to providing a platform for the artistic expression of South Asian artists.
Rasaka Theatre Company is based in Chicago and is the Midwest�s first South Asian American ensemble. We are dedicated to providing a platform for the artistic growth and development of South Asian American actors, writers and directors.
Our vision encompasses the production of theatrical projects, (newly created, adapted and already established), with a South Asian American cast and production team. We aim to broaden, strengthen and enrich the experience of the theatre going audience, enhancing the local, regional, national and international reputation of Chicago theatre.