SAATH’s very own Divya Maiya takes center stage at the 2025 Minnesota Fringe Festival with Manasu—a bold, heartfelt play exploring South Asian queer love, chosen family, and identity. Don’t miss this powerful story rooted in truth, community, and creativity.

Read excerpts from her MPR interview and find the link to listen to the full conversation.

“The word ‘dependent’ isn’t just a visa classification—it becomes an identity,” says writer Alex. Lakshmi and Alex dive deep into the emotional, cultural, and systemic layers behind 2 SuitCases, a story shaped by real experiences and told through dialog, movement, and live music. This year’s show speaks the unspoken and dances through silence.

“The music doesn’t lead the character, the character’s feelings pull the music in new directions,” says composer Peter. For Anup, music is a thread that ties the modern and the traditional: “We kept the beats light and brought in the Tabla to reconnect with the Indian roots of the story.” And as Adi puts it: “The music is a current, it flows underneath and carries the story forward.”

Together, their work transforms 2 SuitCases into a layered, emotional, and interdisciplinary experience.

“Props aren't just visuals, they carry tradition, emotion, and transformation,” says Hitesh, who leads the prop design for 2 SuitCases. From building entire store setups to coordinating seamless backstage transitions, Hitesh and his team bring every scene to life, one thoughtful object at a time.

Go behind the scenes with costume designers Sindhu and Mounisha as they share how they brought 2 SuitCases to life through color, culture, and craft. From sustainable fabrics to dramatic reveals, their designs do more than dress the characters, they tell their stories.