KATAWAHA

Directed by
Ruwanthie De Chickera

Devised & Performed by
The Stages Youth Ensemble

Katawaha is inspired by the real-life experiences of two of our SYE members — one a survivor of throat cancer, the other living with a pronounced stutter.

A closely-knit family navigating the challenges of one child’s debilitating stutter, is pushed into crisis when the other is diagnosed with throat cancer.
Katawaha brings to the stage issues rarely discussed openly in Sri Lanka — patient rights in the public health system, social stigma around physical challenges, the lack of support for families in medical crisis, the complex psychological challenges teenagers face today.
Runtime
3 hours 30 minutes
Language
English and Sinhala

Katawaha was first staged as a preview at St. Paul’s Church, Milagiriya in August 2025.
Director
Ruwanthie De Chickera
Producer
Samuel Sundaralingam
Stage Manager
Sandun Lakshan
Assistant Director/Acting Coach
Nipuni Sharada
Movement Coach
Pathum Dharmarathna
Show Runner
Visura Padeniya
Writers
Ruwanthie De Chickera, Samuel Sundaralingam, Visura Padeniya, Banuja Nethusara
Translators
Sasindu Randi, Hirupa Kithmina, Kavishka Lochana, Anuja Sanelka Muthumala, Mashika Methmini, Sadeepa Wickramage
with Wageesha Salgado, Visura Padeniya, Vishwa Wijesooriya
Translation Consultant
Nipuni Sharada
Cast (Sinhala)
Hirupa Kithmina
Anjaani Perera
Shanya Perera
Kavishka Lochana
Sasindu Randi
Murthaaz Barry
Okitha Karunadhara
Sadeepa Wickramage
Anuja Sanelka Muthumala
Dinuli Mendis
Mashika Methmini
Neesha Hanarasinghe
Sayitha Karunakaran
Pasan Ranaweera
Cast (English)
Avlok Wignaraja
Anouk Abeywickrema
Kithmi Ranatunga
Samuel Sundaralingam
Akhil Skanthakumar
Murthaaz Barry
Okitha Karunadhara
Randil De Zoysa
Anuja Sanelka Muthumala
Dinuli Mendis
Mashika Methmini
Neesha Hanarasinghe
Sadeepa Wickramage
Sayitha Karunakaran
Pasan Ranaweera
Composer/Consultant
Rehan Amaratunga
Lights Designer
Ryan Holsinger
Sounds Designers/Operators
Visura Padeniya, Kenolee Ranatunga, Shyan Muthumudalige, Saniru Perera
Campaign Manager
Visura Padeniya
Graphic Designer
Banuja Nethusara
Video Editor
Dinuk Benjamin
Set Designer
Sasindu Randi
Assistant Producer
Rachel Cramer
FOH
Ganan Kugan, Akein Bandara, Inura Dewasinghe, Randil De Zoysa, Kalindu Kassapa
Assistant Stage Manager
Vishwa Wijesooriya
Rehearsal Manager
Anouk Abeywickrema
Acting Support
Hajarah Faleel
Lights Operators
Ryan Holsinger, Isaac Sundaralingam
Backstage
Rachel Cramer, Nikki Abeywickrema, Iqraaz Othman, Nilavini John, Sayitha Karunakaran, Tavish Ruwane Ramanayake, Anuk Wijeratne, Pooma Luxme Asokan, Nisshanka Rajapaksha