Vanita Kalra

Vanita Kalra is a South Asian actress, writer, and funny person. She shot the lead role in the comedic short "Auntie" (executive produced by Paul Feig, directed by Fawzia Mirza), which world premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Aspen Shortsfest 2022, receiving a Special Mention for Best Short Short. Auntie has gone on to play at Seriesfest and Palm Springs International Shortfest, among others. Vanita played Dr. Christine Long in HBO's Emmy-winning "Mare of Easttown" opposite Kate Winslet and has additional credits in shows and films such as "Cop Shop" with Gerard Butler, "The Oval" (BET), "Dynasty" (CW), and "Ordinary Joe" (NBC). On stage, Vanita has worked with Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC) and MCC (NYC), among others. She has also worked in Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo using theater to address post-genocide reconciliation, good governance, and land conflict, and has been a guest faculty teaching devising at Stephens College in Missouri. Prior to becoming a full-time creative, Vanita had a 15-year career as a civil and human rights lawyer, including prosecuting genocide in Cambodia. She holds a JD from Yale Law School and a graduate certificate in ensemble-devised physical theater.