A multigenerational and multicultural journey that explores the love language of food, the deep wounds of sibling rivalry, and how a family moves through grief – Nerve asks what our legacy is and that we truly leave behind.
An interview with India Currents, may say it best, “the play delves into the central theme of “food as love” and examines the choices made by first, second, and third-generation Indian Americans regarding their cultural inheritance. The narrative weaves a tapestry of tradition, elder care, and our relationship with food through the lens of a recently widowed Gujarati Jain mother and her three daughters. It’s a profound exploration of the sacrifices made in pursuit of the American dream and the potential reclamation of lost traditions.”
When Meera, the estranged middle-child returns home for the one-year anniversary of her father’s death she is forced to reckon with her bitter relationship to home. As her mother, Jyoti, struggles with the need for more care she is blindsided by her daughters Shakti and Payal who have decided to move their mother into assisted living. Meera tries to step in and save the day but her sisters are quick to remind Meera of her seemingly irresponsible past. But, coming together also allows for some necessary healing. They confront their grief, share family traditions recipes together as we embark on a bittersweet journey to see if what was once sour may become sweet. But just as Jyoti, Shakti, Payal, Meera, and Meera’s best friend, Anya begin to come together- Jyoti passes away. Confronted with the isolation and ache of a life with no parents, Jyoti’s daughters must decide if they can swallow their pride and move towrds peace. But, these are women who do not bite their tongue.

The AGE Legacy Playwright grant would make a significant difference for me as an artist right now. First, our industry has been hit so hard and many new work development hubs have shut down. So, what was already challenging to access ( an opportunity to hear words aloud, receive feedback and a space for people to get familiar with one’s voice as a playwright) feels even more difficult to achieve. With the money from the grant I would be able to compensate a dramaturg, actors and a director to workshop and potentially do a public reading of NERVE. I wholly believe that artists should be compensated for their work. My work requires artists who are gender diverse people of color, so I feel supremely committed to compensating them for their talent because we have historically not been. I have three different versions of Act Two that I would love to hear out loud. I am at a place with NERVE, where I need to hear it aloud before making further edits.