Lavina Jadhwani was a Chicago-based director, adaptor, and advocate. She created work that is well-crafted, rigorously researched, compassionately curated, and radically inclusive. As a second generation immigrant, Lavina 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.

Lavina’s directing credits include work at Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Phoenix Theatre (Indianapolis), Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Teatro Vista, Writers Theatre, and Rasaka Theatre Company (where she served as Artistic Director for 6 years). Lavina maintains 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 loved language-driven plays, both new and old, from Eastern and Western canons. 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).

In her free time, Lavina volunteered with the Masonic Association of Service and Therapy Dogs.

Lavina 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. www.lavinajadhwani.com