Love in the Time of ______
Written by Mantra
Directed by Alondra Rios

Set in a world of pop songs, dating apps, and coincidences, pattern play, “Love in the Time Of _____” interrogates the gap between the idealized notion of love we consume and the messier reality that love entails. When the rose-colored hue of novelty falls away, where do we go from there?

About the Playwright

Mantra (she/any) is a playwright, director, and comedian originally from Bangalore, India. Her work was recently seen at 24HourPlays (Off-Broadway), Steppenwolf Theatre, Writers Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, The Second City, Artemesia Theatre, Token Theatre, The Road Theatre, Theatre Wit, Theo Ubique, Shattered Globe, Sandbox Theatre Collective and Avalanche Theatre. She has received recognition from the Jeff Impact Fellowship (winner), Fulbright Research/Study scholarship (alternate finalist), Agnes Nixon Playwriting award (winner), Ojai Playwrights Conference (semifinalist), Inkslinger Playwriting Competition (semifinalist), SheNYC festival (finalist) and Boise Contemporary Theatre’s Playwriting festival (finalist). Her sketch collective, Women Off-Colour, recently debuted at A Red Orchid Theatre through their incubator, and will be performing at the Playground Comedy Festival in 2026. She was a Victor Wong Fellow at the Second City and performs stand-up comedy all over Chicago!