Yoni Ki Baat Announces Their 'Industry Night' 1/7-10

Rasaka Theatre Company and Premiere Theatre & Performance PresentYoni Ki Baat: Back for More in 2010!

Rasaka Theatre Company presents an updated version of their 2009 hit Yoni Ki Baat, including new work from Chicago authors performed for the first time in 2010. A funny, heartfelt, and thought-provoking monologue cycle, the production is loosely inspired byEve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues.

YONI KI BAAT adds Industry Nights January 7-10, 2010

Rasaka Theatre's production of 'Yoni Ki Baat' (which translates to "talking of the vagina") announces 4 special Industry performances.

At 8 PM January 7, 8, 10 and 4 PM January 10, special $5 Industry tickets will be available at the box office 1 hour prior to performance.

By combining spoken word, music and dance,Rasaka presents an exploration of female sexuality, seen through the lens of desiwomen. Like a chain letter passed through the theatrical community, Yoni Ki Baat(which translates to -talking of the vagina?) features contributions from writers across thecountry, combining to create one compelling evening of theatre.Yoni Ki Baat runs January 7 - 31, 2010 at Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway.

To purchase tickets, visit www.rasakatheatre.org.

The press hailed last year's production as -potent,-revolutionary, and -sexy. Centerstage Chicago raved, -Yoni Ki Baat' hits the (G) spot. Director Lavina Jadhwanibelieves this year will be no exception: "Started by the South Asian Sisters in 2003, Yoni Ki Baat is an ever-evolvingconversation. Rasaka's 2010 edition is no exception, said Jadhwani. -This year'sproduction contains new content and showcases new artists, resulting in an evening thatis braver and bolder than ever before."

Ms. Jadhwani (Artistic Director of Rasaka) directed last year's Yoni Ki Baat as well, and also recently directed Scooter ThomasMakes It to the Top of the World (Team Venture Productions), culture/clash (RasakaTheatre Company/Premiere Theatre & Performance), The Devil's Arithmetic (AppleTree Theatre), Kiss (the side project), and An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein (TheShadowmen).This production is presented in association with Premiere Theatre & Performance.A portion of the proceeds from this production will benefit Apna Ghar (Our Home), anorganization that provides culturally-appropriate, multilingual services, includingemergency shelter, to survivors of domestic abuse with a priMary Focus on the SouthAsian and other immigrant communities.

Local writers include Rasaka ensemble members Anita Chandwaney (Gandhi Marg, finalist: Chicago Dramatists' Many Voices Project; Rasaka's culture/clash) and AngeliPrimlani (international journalist, incl. NPR's All Things Considered; Rasaka's culture/clash) along with Pushkar Sharma (Rasaka's culture/clash), Prachi Murarka(Northwestern University senior ) , and Kit Idaszak.

Other writers featured in the 2010 edition include Myriam Rahman, Shruti S. Tewari, Maulie Dass, Indira Chakrabarti, and Nisha Gurbuxani.

Rasaka ensemble members Lavina Jadhwani (Director) and Angeli Primlani(Costumes/Properties Design), team up again with culture/clash collaborators MatthewBuettner (Scenic Design) and Vincent P. Mahler (Assistant Director/Dramaturg) as wellas Joe Court (Sound Design, Yoni Ki Baat 2009) and Gary Echelmeyer (LightingDesign; also Miracle On 34 th Street & Once on This Island, Porchlight Music Theatre), making his Rasaka debut.CAST: Rasaka ensemble member Alka Nayyar joins Amanda Bobbitt, Amrita Dhaliwal(Rasaka's culture/clash), Seema Kumbhat, and Mouzam Makkar (Yoni Ki Baat 2009).

RASAKA'S MISSION: Rasaka Theatre Company, the Midwest's first South Asian-American ensemble, is dedicated to increasing diversity among artists and audiences by engaging andilluminating the South Asian American experience. Rasaka is particularly dedicated toproviding a platform for the artistic expression of South Asian artists, encompassing theproduction of theatrical projects - newly created, adapted and already established.Rasaka aims to broaden, strengthen and enrich the experience of the theatre goingaudience thereby enhancing the local, regional, national and international reputation ofChicago theatre.

PREMIERE THEATRE & PERFORMANCE'S MISSION: The mission of Premiere Theatre &Performance (PTAP) is to present new plays and original performance by directors of vision and originality. PTAP creates a home for stage directors, in an environmentthat encourages development, creativity and artistic integrity.INFO:Rasaka Theatre Company, 312-777-1070; www.rasakatheatre.org

Premiere Theatre & Performance, 773-250-7055, www.ptapchicago.org

Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60613

Red Line Sheridan stop; 36-Broadway and 80-Irving Park buses$6 honor parking at Greeley School, 832 W. Sheridan, weekends after 5 p.m.

Previews January 7 & 8, 8 P.M.

Opens Saturday, January 9, 8 P.M. (reception following)

Runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 P.M., and Sundays at 4 & 8 P.M.

Closes January 31, 2010

Performance Time: Approx. 75 minutes.

TICKETS: 312-777-1070 -or- http://sellingticket.com/strawdog $20 for regular tickets$15 for previews January 7 & 8 $15 Student/Senior/Industry (Thurs & Sun only) http://sellingticket.com/strawdog with credit cards -or- cash/check/credit card at the door.