The South Asian Monologues

The South Asian Monologues is a play written by [Tina Chaudhary (http://tinachaudhary.wordpress.com/)]. It is a story AbOUT love, relationships, artistic passions, and the choices we make or reject as children of immigrants. Through monologues punctuated by dialogue—two siblings, Zain and Aliyah, and Aliyah's significant other, Niraj, explore young adult dilemmas. Does love conquer all? Does divorce hinder our perception of relationships? Is it possible to strike a balance between our artistic passions and our parental expectations? What are the dynamics of interfaith relationships? Such issues cut to the core of the characters' struggles within the South Asian American diaspora.

D.C. South Asian Literary Theatre and Arts Festival (October 2003)
In 2003 The Network of South Asian Professionals in Washington D.C. holds a playwriting contest. The South Asian Monologues is chosen as a winner and selected to be produced at the South Asian Literary Theatre and Arts Festival in D.C. Writers such as Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and Kamila Shamsie are in attendance. Producer/Director Mira Nair from [Mirabai Films http://mirabaifilms.com] speaks at the SALTA Festival.

PenNaatak Asian Theatrefest (April 2004)
The South Asian Monologues is performed at the University of Pennsylvania's Asian Theatrefest by [PenNaatak (http://www.pennaatak.org/)], Penn's South Asian theatre troupe.

New York City (July 2004)
The South Asian Monologues is performed three times in New York City at The Cami Hall and Center Stage NY. The play is directed by Gretchen Neidert, a graduate of the University of Evanston Theatre program, and produced by Tina Chaudhary and Divanee Magazine. The third performance sells out.

University of Michigan (December 2004)
The South Asian Monologues is performed twice at the University of Michigan. Writer Tina Chaudhary and Hugo Shi, President of the University of Michigan APIA Theatre Company collaborate to direct and produce the play. The rock band Zerobridge composes a song titled "It Is What It Is" for The South Asian Monologues.

University of Maryland (January 2005)
Playwright of The South Asian Monologues, Tina Chaudhary, is accepted to the Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing program at the University of Maryland. Currently she is completing her graduate thesis, a novel, under the tutelage of two time National Book Award finalist Howard Norman, also the director of the MFA program.