Photo by Wendy D Photography
Himmat is a humorous and heartwarming narrative in Punjabi and English delving into the world of a father and daughter born generations and miles apart. It is a gut-wrenchingly honest depiction of a working-class family's struggle with addiction and labour. Told through flashbacks and set in Surrey Memorial Hospital, Himmat takes audiences on a journey exploring the complexities of family history and immigration. As secrets are revealed, Banth and Ajit unpack their memories, discovering how family dynamics and relationships change over time. It is a story about resilience and redemption.
Gavan is very grateful for the support she's gotten so far to move this piece forward. She is thrilled to be premiering it in May 2022. She first started writing and developing this piece in her year of residence at Theatre Conspiracy in 2018. From July 2019 to September 2019 she received writing support from Block V at Playwrights Theatre Centre with partnership with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre. In November 2019 Gavan worked with Rice and Bean and Boca Del Lupo at DBLSPK to develop the Punjabi text and have a public reading in both English and Punjabi. In January of 2020, she did a public reading as a part of the MSG Lab workshop series with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre. Lastly, in August 2020, amidst a global pandemic and with support from South Asian Arts and Theatre Conspiracy, Himmat had a safe and site specific staged reading, drive in style!
In our 2021/2022 season, we will premiere Gavan Cheema’s Himmat as part of The Cultch’s season. The show will be running from May 6th – May 15th, 2022. For tickets and more info: https://thecultch.com/event/himmat/
PREMIERE CREDITS:
Playwright: Gavan Cheema
Actors: Gavan Cheema, Munish Sharma and Veenu Sandhu
Director: Paneet Singh
Dramaturg: Tim Carlson
Lead Producer: Theatre Conspiracy
Producing Partner: South Asian Arts
Sound and Projection Designer: David Mesiha
Lighter Designer: Parjad Sharifi
Set Designer: Kimira Reddy
Costume Designer: Elika Mojtabaei
Stage Manager: Yvonne Yip
Production Manager: Reid Collinson
Sound Assistant: Cindy Kao
Marketing and Communications: Erin Purghart
Translator: Paneet Singh
Special thanks to VACT, Rice and Bean and Boca Del Lupo for their support in early workshops of the piece, South Asian Arts for their ongoing commitment to the piece and to Kathleen Flaherty and PTC for dramaturgy support and script development. To our sponsors: Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, City of Vancouver, City of Surrey and The Hamber Foundation, thank you for funding this work.
South Asian Arts Society is committed to creating performance and educational opportunities for professional and amateur artists and developing artistic forums that act as a platform for building knowledge of South Asian culture via New Projects, New Ideas, and New Collaborations. We are active in promoting South Asian dance, music, and theatre via dance and music classes, professional performances and workshops, guest lectures, as well as presenting comedic plays, musicals, and dance dramas across the Lower Mainland.