MRS KRISHNAN’S PARTY
March 26–29, 2026
Thursday, 7 p.m.
Friday, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Saturday, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday, 2 p.m.
MRS KRISHNAN’S PARTY
Produced and created by Indian Ink Theatre Company
Director
Justin Lewis
Co-Writers
Justin Lewis and Jacob Rajan
Actors
Kalyani Nagarajan and Justin Rogers
Set Design
John Verryt
Lighting Design
Costume Design
Fiona Nichols
Sound Design
Jane Hakaraia Lia Kelly
Dramaturge Murray Edmond
Production & Tour Manager Andrew Potvin
General Manager Producer Jude Froude Pene Lister
Admin & Projects Manager Next Gen Programme Leader
Naomi Campion Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana
FOOD CONSUMPTION LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection. By partaking in the food and beverages provided at this event, you acknowledge and accept that consuming food carries inherent risks, including but not limited to foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, or other adverse health effects. St. Catherine University, The O’Shaughnessy, DL Artists, and Indian Ink Theatre Company, and associated entities and personnel make no representations or warranties regarding the safety or suitability of the food offered. Participants are encouraged to exercise caution, especially if they have known food allergies or sensitivities.
By consuming the provided food, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with its consumption and agree to release and hold harmless the event organizers, hosts, and associated entities and personnel from any liability arising from illness or injury related to the food.
INDIAN INK THEATRE COMPANY
We’re guided by the ‘Serious Laugh,’ a love of mask and of story. We aim to make theatre that is beautiful, funny, sad and true — to leave an indelible imprint on your heart.
Indian Ink began 28 years ago as a partnership between Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis. Since then, we’ve gathered a team of long-term collaborators, made 12 shows together and had the great pleasure of performing around the world.
Our home is Aotearoa New Zealand and it’s a long way from our islands to India. We’ve always had to use our imaginations and be led by our curiosity with the theatre we make so please forgive the artistic licenses we take. We hope to capture something of the essence of what makes us all human while celebrating the flavours that make each of us unique.
Indian Ink is represented by David Lieberman Artists’ Representatives info@dlartists.com
PROGRAM NOTES
JUSTIN’S NOTES
Everyone loves a good party; endless laughter, catching up with friends, dancing on tables. But what if you don’t know anyone and feel self-conscious about your dancing? What if you’re not feeling a box of birds? Do you stay home or fake it till you make it? How do you set yourself free? Onam is such a great celebration because it shows there is more to happiness than just a smile, that to know joy you must also feel sorrow, without death there can be no rebirth. Maybe a party can change your life; you may meet someone who gives you the courage to set yourself free or shows you the resilience required to be truly happy. Thanks for coming out tonight.
– Justin Lewis
JACOB’S NOTES
For the uninitiated Krishnan’s Dairy was the name of our very first play. A love story set in a corner shop, the power of which caught everyone by surprise — including us. That shop has kept its doors open for almost 30 years, touring the length and breadth of New Zealand and throughout the world, becoming as loved and cherished as a child. The story you’re taking part in tonight is somewhat of a sequel, but don’t worry, you don’t have to have seen Krishnan’s Dairy to enjoy the party. All you need is here, in the strangers that surround you and the imagination that abounds within, and the wonder of what’s going to happen next. That moment of not knowing, of being lost and confused, excited and a little scared is really what tonight is about: change. Something has to die in order for something to be renewed. It’s a tough lesson but a constant, existing at every stage of life and extremely present for us in a world that seems to be spinning ever faster. Rather than bemoan how hard it is to get to grips with all this shifting sand we want to celebrate the new castles we will build from it. Party on!
– Jacob Rajan
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
KALYANI
NAGARAJAN
Actor
Kalyani is a graduate of the New Zealand Drama School. This is Kalyani’s second role with Indian Ink following 2017’s The Pickle King. She has worked extensively on stage with Auckland Theatre Company and Auckland Live. Kalyani is a player for New Zealand’s top improv companies, Snort, Heartthrobs and Live Reel. Her screen credits include Raised by Refugees, Brokenwood Mysteries, Give Me Babies and more. Nagarajan is currently in development writing her first television show, The Drama Department, and a feature film, Revenge.
JUSTIN ROGERS
Actor Justin also features in Indian Ink’s recent production of Dirty Work. Other stage credits include The Cherry Orchard and Beauty and the Beast. His screen work includes Meet Me at the Baptistery as well as voicing for Disney in Te Reo for the Lion King, Frozen, Coco and Encanto. Justin is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. Instagram: @justinrogersnz
D. ANDREW POTVIN Production & Tour Manager
Andrew has been a production manager with Indian
Ink since 2017 and is also the Director of Andrew Potvin Designs Ltd, specializing in producing and tour/production management for live events. With two decades of experience in the entertainment industry his portfolio of work spans the globe including contracts in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Singapore and the USA.
Andrew holds an MFA (AUT 14’) in International Tourism Management and a BFA (CALARTS 09’) in Theatre Design and Management. @dapotvin Creative Team
JACOB RAJAN
Writer
Jacob is a founding partner of Indian Ink and co-wrote all of Indian Ink’s plays as well as performing in many of them. He is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama school, Otago University (B.Sc Microbiology) and Wellington Teacher’s College. Jacob is an Arts Foundation Laureate and a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to theatre.
JUSTIN LEWIS Writer and Director
Justin is a founding partner of Indian Ink. He has co-written and directed all of Indian Ink’s plays. He was one of the founders of Auckland’s Q Theatre and received a Kaupapa Oranga Award for his services to theatre. Justin is a graduate of the John Bolton Theatre School and the University of Auckland.
MURRAY
EDMOND Dramaturge
Murray has been dramaturge on all of Indian Ink’s productions.
A poet and founder of Town and Country Players (NZ), Murray has recently retired from his role as Professor of Drama at The University of Auckland where he headed the drama programme.
JOHN VERRYT Set and
Props Designer
John has worked on all of Indian Ink’s productions. With over 30 years experience John is a leading New Zealand stage designer with an extensive portfolio of work including NZ Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, The Large Group, and many others.
JANE HAKARAIA Lighting Designer
This is Jane’s third production with Indian Ink following on from Welcome
to the Murder House and The Elephant Thief. Jane holds a degree in product design but her passion is lighting for theatre.
FIONA NICHOLS
Costume Designer
This is Fiona’s second production for Indian Ink after her work on The Pickle King. She works mainly in film and television with credits including Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, and Spartacus.
LIA KELLY
Sound Designer
This is Lia’s first production with Indian Ink. They won an award for ‘Most Innovative Work’ at the
2018 Wellington Fringe Festival and is part of Playshop — a late night improv group. Lia recently completed their Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Practice at Victoria University.
SUPPORT THE O’SHAUGHNESSY
Your support creates meaningful artistic experiences and deep community connections for audience members of all ages! To make a gift to The O’Shaughnessy, go to oshag.stkate.edu/donate. Donations to The O’Shaughnessy are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
The O’Shaughnessy is grateful to the following organizations for their support of the 2025–26 season:
Select activities made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025–26 INAUGURAL O’SHAUGHNESSY MEMBERS
Champion Level: Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna
Patty Wilder & Ryan Schroeder, Schroeder Properties LLC
Advocate Level: Moira Gallagher
Irene & Fred Green
Meg & BJ Nodzon
Carolyn & Frank Ondrey
Our members support compelling art and collective impact at The O’Shaughnessy. Our mission, grounded in advocacy and equity, empowers women, inspires intellectual inquiry, and centers social justice. Activate your values with an O’Shaughnessy membership. Learn more at oshag.stkate.edu/membership or scan the QR code.
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THE O’SHAUGHNESSY DINING CLUB
Enjoy a complete evening out with Dinner and a Show! The O’Shaughnessy recommends these local favorites...
CONCESSIONS SPONSORS
luciancora.com
Wed.–Sun. 5–9 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. open until 10 p.m.
Enjoy handcrafted local favorites and more at The O’Shaughnessy concessions bar in the lobby before each show and during intermission. Treats can be enjoyed at your seat!
grovelandtap.com
Mon.–Th. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Thank you Dining Club partners for supporting The O’Shaughnessy!
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We begin this program with honor and respect for being on ancestral homelands of the Dak ȟóta People, and for all the first people of this land who cared for our common home. We here at St. Kate’s acknowledge the impacts of our history on our relationship with our Native community as we participate in a journey of listening, learning, building relationships and advocating for and with Native nations for a more just world for all.
Thank you JS Bean Factory and Candyland for supporting The O’Shaughnessy!
THE O’SHAUGHNESSY STAFF
Irene Green, Executive Director
Maria Signorelli Verdoorn, Associate Director
Allison Secord, Sales and Marketing Manager
Kevin A. Jones, Production Manager
Troy Wilhelmson, Associate Production & Video Services Manager
Chadwick Cook, Production Services Coordinator
Roger Rosvold, House Technician
Jacob Edholm, House Technician
Carla Arnevik, Management Assistant
Additional St. Catherine University support:
Saundra Huntley, Program Design
Upcoming Shows
To view the full season, go to oshag.stkate.edu/25-26season or pick up a brochure in the lobby.
GOODMAN LECTURE
Wed., April 8 6:30 p.m.
St. Catherine University Presents
Interfaith Panel:
Religious Nationalism
The interfaith panel will model interreligious dialogue on the topic of religious nationalism and its impacts on the United States and the Global community. Issues around belonging, socio-economic impacts, discrimination, violence, theological implications, and legislative roadblocks that manifest in response to these religious ideals will be explored as we unpack the nuance of this topic.
Tickets are FREE. Book at oshag.stkate.edu/goodman
FAMILY
FRIENDLY
BABA YAGA AND THE FIREBIRD
Sun. Apr. 19, 2 p.m. $15 Youth/Student, $33 Adult oshag.stkate.edu/babayaga
In this exuberant yet heartwarming original story based on Slavic folklore, two performers play over fifteen roles, with the help of a host of puppets. The world of Baba Yaga and the Firebird tells the story of a princess and a pauper who take a fantastical journey to beg the witch, Baba Yaga, for a firebird. Along the way, the wonder of the natural world and the enchanting people who inhabit it come alive through a musical form rooted in the oral tradition of storytelling.
