Plays by two Drama alums, Mrinalini Kamath ’03 and Naveen Bahar Choudhury ’04, are appearing in The River Crosses Rivers, a one-act play festival presented by Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST). The festival highlights new work by 13 established and emerging women playwrights of color, including Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, actor Ruby Dee, and Kia Corthron. Choudhury’s The Kitchen, or 9½ Minutes of Subcontinental Absurdity, directed by Jamie Richards, and Kamath’s Sloppy Second Chances, directed by Kel Haney, are currently running at the theater, located at 549 West 52nd Street in New York City.

“I had heard about the festival years ago, when I was a member of Youngblood, EST’s emerging playwrights collective,” remembers Kamath. “This is my first non-Youngblood-related play being performed on EST’s main stage, and I have a great director and two really gifted actors. It’s a short, fun play that I think will resonate with audiences and hopefully have them laughing.”

The festival runs in two series until September 27. For a complete schedule and more information, visit www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org.