Mona Kasra
Latest News on Mona Kasra:
BIO
Mona Kasra is a new media artist, interdisciplinary scholar, and Associate Professor of Digital Media Design at the University of Virginia. She specializes in video and projections design and has received two Helen Hayes Award nominations in the Outstanding Projections/Media Design category. Her artwork has been exhibited extensively in galleries and film festivals across the U.S. and worldwide. Mona holds an MFA in Video Art and a PhD in Arts & Technology. Her design credits include Ford's Theatre, Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF), Theater J, Mosaic Theater DC, Golden Thread San Francisco, DWZ Collective Dallas.
News
Review: BEST LINE WINS at Contemporary American Theater Festival
by Jack L. B. Gohn - Jul 16, 2026
There are a lot of good laughs there.
by Jack L. B. Gohn - Jul 16, 2026
There are a lot of good laughs there.
Review: BEST LINE WINS at Contemporary American Theater Festival
by Andrew White - Jul 15, 2026
Ms. Kander has set herself a high bar indeed, writing at a level to match one of the early Sketch Comedy era’s most famous duos, and she absolutely nails it. It helps, too, that we have a perfect cast for this run: in the role of Elaine herself, Lori Vega is edgy, scalpel-sharp, and as proud and brassy as can be. As Mike, Riley Shanahan yields readily to Vega’s Elaine May; his initial awkwardness and cluelessness is endearing, and his return to May, years later, acknowledges the debt he owed to her.
by Andrew White - Jul 15, 2026
Ms. Kander has set herself a high bar indeed, writing at a level to match one of the early Sketch Comedy era’s most famous duos, and she absolutely nails it. It helps, too, that we have a perfect cast for this run: in the role of Elaine herself, Lori Vega is edgy, scalpel-sharp, and as proud and brassy as can be. As Mike, Riley Shanahan yields readily to Vega’s Elaine May; his initial awkwardness and cluelessness is endearing, and his return to May, years later, acknowledges the debt he owed to her.
Photos: THE SMOKER, REFUGEE RHAPSODY and More at Contemporary American Theater Festival 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 15, 2026
The Contemporary American Theater Festival launched its 2026 season, featuring five new plays, including four world premieres by Lisa D'Amour, Yussef El Guindi, Beth Kander, and Aurin Squire. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 15, 2026
The Contemporary American Theater Festival launched its 2026 season, featuring five new plays, including four world premieres by Lisa D'Amour, Yussef El Guindi, Beth Kander, and Aurin Squire. See photos!
The Contemporary American Theater Festival to Present Five New Plays, Four World Premieres, and More in 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2026
The Contemporary American Theater Festival announced full casts and creative teams for its 2026 mainstage season at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W. Va., featuring five new plays, including four world premieres.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2026
The Contemporary American Theater Festival announced full casts and creative teams for its 2026 mainstage season at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W. Va., featuring five new plays, including four world premieres.
Rob McClure, National Tours of KIMBERLY AKIMBO and SOME LIKE IT HOT Among 2026 Helen Hayes Award Nominees
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 23, 2026
The 2026 Helen Hayes Award nominations have been announced, recognizing outstanding achievement in Washington-area professional theatre. Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, and dozens of regional companies are represented across performance, direction, design, and production categories. The awards highlight the breadth of theatre work presented throughout the D.C. metropolitan area.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 23, 2026
The 2026 Helen Hayes Award nominations have been announced, recognizing outstanding achievement in Washington-area professional theatre. Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, and dozens of regional companies are represented across performance, direction, design, and production categories. The awards highlight the breadth of theatre work presented throughout the D.C. metropolitan area.
Lucille Lortel Theatre Reveals Artistic Programming Including 121 Project, 11 New Commissions, and More
by Stephi Wild - Oct 9, 2025
The Lucille Lortel Theatre has announced new artistic programming that deepens the historic theater's impact on the Off-Broadway community and the field nationally. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Oct 9, 2025
The Lucille Lortel Theatre has announced new artistic programming that deepens the historic theater's impact on the Off-Broadway community and the field nationally. Learn more here!
Review: THE AMERICAN FIVE at Ford's Theatre
by Jake Bridges - Sep 26, 2025
Early in my arts management training, I read former Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser’s book, The Cycle. This arts manifesto is a practical guide on creating and sustaining the arts, and I do recommend it for anyone seeking a career in the field. But I digress.
by Jake Bridges - Sep 26, 2025
Early in my arts management training, I read former Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser’s book, The Cycle. This arts manifesto is a practical guide on creating and sustaining the arts, and I do recommend it for anyone seeking a career in the field. But I digress.
Cast and Creative Team Set for THE AMERICAN FIVE at Ford's Theatre Society
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 29, 2025
The cast and creative team of Chess Jakob's world-premiere of The American Five at Ford's Theatre has been revealed. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 29, 2025
The cast and creative team of Chess Jakob's world-premiere of The American Five at Ford's Theatre has been revealed. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: DID MY GRANDFATHER KILL MY GRANDFATHER? Features Masterful Storytelling
by Andrew White - Jul 16, 2025
Peggy McKowen, Artistic Director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival, knows there are some amazing stories to be told by West Virginians themselves, and for this year’s festival our attention is richly rewarded by an evening spent with native son Cody LeRoy Wilson and his one-man show, “Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?”
by Andrew White - Jul 16, 2025
Peggy McKowen, Artistic Director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival, knows there are some amazing stories to be told by West Virginians themselves, and for this year’s festival our attention is richly rewarded by an evening spent with native son Cody LeRoy Wilson and his one-man show, “Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?”
Contemporary American Theater Festival Reveals Casts And Creative Teams For 2025 Mainstage Productions
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 13, 2025
The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) has announced the full casts and creative teams for its 2025 season. This year's mainstage theater productions include five world premiere plays.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 13, 2025
The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) has announced the full casts and creative teams for its 2025 season. This year's mainstage theater productions include five world premiere plays.
ANDY WARHOL IN IRAN Extended Through July At Mosaic Theater Company
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 3, 2025
Mosaic Theater Company is extending the DC premiere of Andy Warhol in Iran to July 6, 2025. Written by Brent Askari and directed by Serge Seiden, this provocative, humorous portrait is a fictionalized account of the artist's infamous visit to Iran in 1976.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 3, 2025
Mosaic Theater Company is extending the DC premiere of Andy Warhol in Iran to July 6, 2025. Written by Brent Askari and directed by Serge Seiden, this provocative, humorous portrait is a fictionalized account of the artist's infamous visit to Iran in 1976.
Review: ANDY WARHOL IN IRAN at Mosaic Theater
by Mary Lincer - Jun 2, 2025
Andy Warhol really did go to Iran. In 1976, the Shah's wife, Farah Pahlavi, arranged to sit for Polaroid photos which Warhol would then use as a basecoat for a series of prints, and Andrew Cohen reproduces Warhol's image of her as a permanently present part of his set design. Warhol also could really order reasonably priced caviar from his hotel's room service
by Mary Lincer - Jun 2, 2025
Andy Warhol really did go to Iran. In 1976, the Shah's wife, Farah Pahlavi, arranged to sit for Polaroid photos which Warhol would then use as a basecoat for a series of prints, and Andrew Cohen reproduces Warhol's image of her as a permanently present part of his set design. Warhol also could really order reasonably priced caviar from his hotel's room service
Review: THIS MUCH I KNOW at Theater J
by David Friscic - Feb 8, 2024
What an odd thing the human mind is! –for it can make false assumptions, construct facile rationalizations, and rely on preconceived notions---as the audience soon finds out through the alternately clever, character-driven, and coiling convolutions of Theater J’s east coast premiere of the play This Much I Know. This is a play that asks questions more than it supplies answers and in that the audience can find sufficient satisfaction.
by David Friscic - Feb 8, 2024
What an odd thing the human mind is! –for it can make false assumptions, construct facile rationalizations, and rely on preconceived notions---as the audience soon finds out through the alternately clever, character-driven, and coiling convolutions of Theater J’s east coast premiere of the play This Much I Know. This is a play that asks questions more than it supplies answers and in that the audience can find sufficient satisfaction.
SPAMALOT, SWEPT AWAY And More Nominated for 2024 Helen Hayes Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 22, 2024
Tonight, at a celebration honoring outstanding theatre on stages across the Washington area, theatre artists, administrators, patrons, and special guests gathered at the ATLAS Performing Arts Center for Theatre Washington's announcement of nominees for the 40th Helen Hayes Awards.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 22, 2024
Tonight, at a celebration honoring outstanding theatre on stages across the Washington area, theatre artists, administrators, patrons, and special guests gathered at the ATLAS Performing Arts Center for Theatre Washington's announcement of nominees for the 40th Helen Hayes Awards.
UVA Drama Continues 2023-2024 Season With Branden Jacobs-Jenkins EVERYBODY
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 17, 2023
UVA Drama kicks off their season with an exciting production. Get all the details in this press release.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 17, 2023
UVA Drama kicks off their season with an exciting production. Get all the details in this press release.
Kennedy Center GUYS AND DOLLS, Kevin Chamberlin, And More Win Helen Hayes Awards
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2023
This evening, the 2023 Helen Hayes Awards took place at The Anthem on the District Wharf, with over 1,600 theatre-makers and theatre supporters in attendance. Esteemed Washington theatre artists Naomi Jacobson, Erika Rose, Holly Twyford, and Christopher Michael Richardson hosted an evening showcasing the vibrant and diverse community of professional theatre artists in the Washington region.
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2023
This evening, the 2023 Helen Hayes Awards took place at The Anthem on the District Wharf, with over 1,600 theatre-makers and theatre supporters in attendance. Esteemed Washington theatre artists Naomi Jacobson, Erika Rose, Holly Twyford, and Christopher Michael Richardson hosted an evening showcasing the vibrant and diverse community of professional theatre artists in the Washington region.
Review: UNSEEN at Mosaic Theater Company
by Rachael F. Goldberg - Apr 5, 2023
'Unseen' is a heartfelt and heartrending production that covers difficult topics, but somehow manages to leave the audience feeling hopeful. Mona Mansour's script is beautiful and poignant, and the team at Mosaic brings it to life with care, heart, and impressive artistry.
by Rachael F. Goldberg - Apr 5, 2023
'Unseen' is a heartfelt and heartrending production that covers difficult topics, but somehow manages to leave the audience feeling hopeful. Mona Mansour's script is beautiful and poignant, and the team at Mosaic brings it to life with care, heart, and impressive artistry.
Cast Announced For Mona Mansour's UNSEEN at Mosaic Theater
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2023
Mosaic Theater Company welcomes playwright Mona Mansour back to Washington, DC for the regional premiere of Unseen, the cross-cultural, time-shifting journey of an American conflict photographer.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2023
Mosaic Theater Company welcomes playwright Mona Mansour back to Washington, DC for the regional premiere of Unseen, the cross-cultural, time-shifting journey of an American conflict photographer.
Phillipa Soo, Steven Pasquale, Ali Ewoldt And More Nominated for Helen Hayes Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 30, 2023
Nominations have been announced for the 37th Helen Hayes Awards, which will be presented on Monday, May 22. Nominees include productions from Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, GALA Hispanic Theatre and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 30, 2023
Nominations have been announced for the 37th Helen Hayes Awards, which will be presented on Monday, May 22. Nominees include productions from Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, GALA Hispanic Theatre and more.
The Orchard Project Announces 2022 Labs, Projects, and Participants
by Stephi Wild - May 20, 2022
The Orchard Project announced its 2022 Lab programs as well as the names of participating artists and companies. The OP selected 38 projects or artistic teams from a competitive group of 1,417 applicants to participate in this year's programs.
by Stephi Wild - May 20, 2022
The Orchard Project announced its 2022 Lab programs as well as the names of participating artists and companies. The OP selected 38 projects or artistic teams from a competitive group of 1,417 applicants to participate in this year's programs.
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