Lina Patel

I'm a playwright, screenwriter, producer, actor, and director who tells socially relevant stories wrapped in sci-fi, drama, and dark comedy—stories about what happens when people stop hearing each other, and the world begins to break. Writing/Producing credits include "Cherish the Day" (Warner Horizon), "Krypton" (WB), and "Frequency" (CW). My plays have been developed at Rogue Machine Theatre, Ammunition Theatre Company, Yale Repertory Theatre, East West Players, and Cherry Lane Theatre. My debut short film, "Cabin Time", is a 2025 Screenplay Finalist at the Mallorca International Film Festival. I'm currently developing a contemporary existential horror feature inspired by an ancient epic and my first graphic novel about three badass historical women.

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
http://www.linapatelwriter.com
@cabintimefilm


MORE ABOUT ME
My most gratifying moment happened in 2014, when David Henry Hwang read a play, "The Ragged Claws" (after reading a few other plays previously) and wrote to say that this was the play he was waiting to read and wanted to nominate it for Cherry Lane's Mentor Project. The resulting workshop was one of the most fruitful and collaborative experiences I've ever had. I could see my play, for the first time, realized in a wonderful way, with folks who were not afraid of complexity and big ideas and dense language.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON
I am starting to direct more: finishing post-production on my debut short film, "Cabin Time" about the resilience of two women; directing a play for a mainstage production at Pomona College; and directing a series of readings to celebrate East West Players history of premiers. I am writing my first existential horror feature. And I am starting work on a new play. I continue to work on my first graphic novel.

KEYWORDS
Queer, agnostic Hindu, adoptive mom, immigrant, adaptation, historical, climate, period, political, family drama, disablity