NACL, in partnership with JACK, presents a work-in-progress showing of Deepali Gupta's new work, UNITED STATES V GUPTA.
United States v. Gupta is a musical tragedy that attempts to tell the story of Rajat Gupta. In the summer of 2012, Gupta—a former head of McKinsey—was tried, convicted, and incarcerated for insider trading. More than a decade removed from the events of his trial, his youngest daughter, Deepali Gupta, is presenting her own version—in collaboration with director Caitlin Sullivan.
What if the courtroom were a theater? What if a juror burst into song?
Working with materials that are transcribed, remembered, and imagined, Deepali writes a play that maps a history. And yes—she’s playing herself. On Friday, September 22nd she will share excerpts and drafts of songs from the piece, as well as dramaturgical context and insights into her collaborative process. United States v. Gupta will be produced in November at JACK in collaboration with New Georges.
Deepali Gupta is a composer, performance artist, and theater practitioner. Her artistic practice has been supported by the Brooklyn Arts Council, NYSCA, the Axe-Houghton Foundation, and the NYC Women’s Fund. She makes work in an effort to support the cause of Mad liberation. Past collaborations as a composer include Minor Character (created by New Saloon), Ski End (created by Piehole), and Madonna col Bambino (with Sarah Einspanier and Caitlin Sullivan). Collaborations as a librettist include Nightlife (with composer TJ Rubin) and Banana Ketchup (with Nilo Alcala). Deepali is an alumnus of The Civilians’ R&D Group, Ars Nova’s Makers Lab, and the New Georges Jam. Her work has been commissioned by Ars Nova, JACK, and Target Margin Theater. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Poetry Project. She holds a B.A. from Brown University and an M.F.A. from New York University.
Caitlin Sullivan is a director and theater maker. Recent work includes The Good John Proctor (Talene Monahon/Bedlam), WORK HARD HAVE FUN MAKE HISTORY (ruth tang/Clubbed Thumb), Ohio (The Bengsons/Actors Theatre of Louisville) and the remount of Sanctuary City (Martyna Majok/NYTW). Caitlin has developed and directed solo and memoir-based work with a variety of writer-performers including Sacha Yanow, Obehi Janice, The Bengsons, and Deepali Gupta. This summer she will be premiering Obehi Janice’s Nova at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. Caitlin was previously the Artistic Director of Seattle’s critically acclaimed Satori Group. She is a graduate of Williams College and an alum of the Clubbed Thumb Directing Fellowship, the Drama League Directors Project and Next Stage Residency, and the New Georges Jam.
Photo by Mallika Chandaria