Projects

ABOUT THE PLAY

Katawaha is based on the real-life experiences of two of our SYE members — one a survivor of throat cancer, the other living with a pronounced stutter.

After choosing these two stories, we spent 4–6 months engaged in deep research, learning, and
writing, and came up with our play – Katawaha.

In Katawaha, a closely-knit family navigating the challenges of one child’s debilitating stutter, is
pushed into crisis when the other is diagnosed with throat cancer.

Katawaha brings to the stage issues rarely discussed openly in Sri Lanka — patient rights in the
public health system, social stigma around physical challenges, the lack of support for families in
medical crisis, the complex psychological challenges teenagers face today.

As young artists, we want to draw attention to these silences in society — to break them, to
create space for reflection, to help audiences connect with their own unspoken struggles, and to
explore how we support one another through communities.

PLAY DETAILS

• Dates : End of August/Early September
• Performances : 4 shows ( 2 in English and 2 in Sinhala)
• Venue : TBC but will most probably be Maharagama Youth Centre
• Post Show Talks : Either open discussion with audience or invited experts to respond to
  the play
• Publicity Campaign : Launched either with or after the plays and will deal with the issues raised in the play.

USING THEATRE TO CHALLENGE SOCIETY

Katawaha is powerful not only because of its subject matter – addressing stigmas around physical
challenges in society.

The play will be staged in a unique, immersive format that gives the audience a physical experience of
confronting their own prejudices.

The Youth Ensemble — made up of young artists who work across language, class, and ethnic lines —
will perform the play in both Sinhala and English.

We will also use the play as a platform to launch youth-driven public conversations around cancer
and stuttering.

Supporting Katawaha is not just supporting a play; you will be strengthening an active ensemble of
young Sri Lankan artists – emerging writers, translators, producers, actors, directors, and crew — and thus contributing to the future of the arts in Sri Lanka.