Two South Asian artists will be featured during the upcoming Monsoon Arts Festival, which runs August 9-19, 2018 in Vancouver and Surrey. The festival co-producer and co-creator are Gurpreet Sian and Rohit Chokhani.

Two feature presentations will be Anita Majumdar’s The Fish Eyes Trilogy and The Undocumented Trial of William C. Hopkinson, which is written and directed by Paneet Singh.

Premiering in Surrey, the Fish Eyes Trilogy follows three Canadian South Asian teens: Naznin, Candice, and Meena who attend Port Moody high school. This production tackles coming of age, consent, cultural heritage, and empowerment with comedy and grace. The play will be performed Aug. 18 at The Surrey Arts Centre Main Stage at 4 PM.

The Undocumented Trial of William C. Hopkinson (Vancouver) was written and directed by Paneet Singh. Set in October 1914 at the Vancouver Provincial Courthouse, the play re-examines the trial of Mewa Singh, who is on the stand for the assassination of Canadian Immigration Inspector, William Charles Hopkinson. Singh admits to committing this crime. The Undocumented Trial blurs the lines of reality in narrative and aesthetic to create an analytical historical dialogue to explore political, sociocultural, and humanistic themes. This play is being staged at the same venue where the original trial took place - at The Vancouver Art Gallery in Courtroom 302. There are four performances; Aug. 10, 11, 12 at 8:00 PM and at 5:00 PM Aug. 12.

As part of the Industry Series, there will be readings, development workshops in dramaturgy, playwriting, directing, acting, movement and post-show talkbacks.

There will be readings from Zahida Rahemtulla (The Wrong Bashir) in Vancouver and Munish Sharma. (Chivalry is Dead) in Surrey.

Works will also be offered. Paneet Singh will have one about Cultivating Organic Performance in Vancouver and Surrey. Amneet Athwal will hold a workshop about Digital Marketing and Content Creation in Surrey. Carmel Amit will host a workshop about Impulse, Improvisation and Play in Vancouver.

Talkbacks will take place Aug. 10, 11, 12 after Undocumented Trial (not including 5 pm show on Aug. 12).

 For more information, visit  monsoonartsfest.ca.