Lavina Jadhwani (1983-2025)
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Lavina Jadhwani, director, playwright, activist and former artistic director of Rasaka Theatre Company, passed away on September 10. The impact of her work was felt across Chicago and the country. Her Chicago directing credits include AT THE VANISHING POINT (Gift Theatre); A DOLL’S HOUSE, VIETGONE (Writers Theatre); GREAT EXPECTATIONS, YELLOW DRESS (Silk Road Rising); A WIDOW OF NO IMPORTANCE, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES, YONI KI BAAT (Rasaka); TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, HAMLET, and TWELFTH NIGHT (Oak Park Festival Theatre). She also directed shows with Teatro Vista, Hubris Productions, Halcyon Theatre, among many others. Nationally, she directed productions at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Guthrie Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre and Actors Theatre of Louisville.
A prolific playwright, Lavina’s language-driven plays have been performed across the U.S. Remaking classics through diverse lenses became a hallmark of her work. Her adaptations include THE SITAYANA (a solo performance piece based on the Hindu epic, The Ramayana), VANYA (adapted from Chekhov), and SHAKUNTALA: AN EAST-MEETS-WEST LOVE STORY (an a cappella musical, adapted from Kalidasa). Her adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL has been done by the Guthrie every year since 2021. Other adaptations include Shakespeare (ADO, JULIET AND REESE); Chekhov (THE SEAGULL, THE THREE SISTERS, THE CHERRY ORCHARD); and Jane Austin (PERSUASION, EMMA). Commissions included Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, the Hypocrites, Jackalope Theatre, and DePaul University. Additionally, she was a frequent essay contributor to HowlRound Journal, with a focus on identity conscious work. Lavina created well-crafted, rigorously researched, compassionately curated, and radically inclusive plays. As a second generation immigrant, she constantly investigated the question, “What does it mean to be an American?” and through her work, she strove to expand the definition of that word to include more minority voices. For six years, Lavina served as artistic director for Rasaka, which specialized in stories from the South Asian diaspora and was the first theater company in the Midwest with that focus. She maintained relationships with Silk Road Rising (Artistic Associate), Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Artistic Engagement Associate), and the National New Play Network (Affiliated Artists Council). Time Out Chicago named her their “Best Next Generation Stage Director” in 2013. Lavina was raised in Hinsdale by parents who immigrated from India. She was a 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. In her free time, she volunteered with the Masonic Association of Service and Therapy Dogs. Lavina is survived by her parents, Chandra and Chander Jadhwani and her brother, Krish Jadhwani. Per director Reena Dutt, “Lavina was the kind of person who elevated others with ease. She generously connected strangers and envisioned future partnerships outside of herself. She spoke up for those with less power. She was a true leader and friend. Lavina defined community and built one on a global scale. Chicago was so lucky to have her as part of their fabric, but her impact is with no doubt global.” With thanks to the Chicago Reader. |