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The 2025-26 UMass Theater season will open in the Curtain Theater on Oct. 17 with the first performance of “Yoga Play,” directed by Rose Schwietz Malla, a graduate student in the theater department’s MFA in Directing program.

Written by playwright Dipika Guha, “Yoga Play” presents a satire of real-world events from 2013, when a yoga apparel giant experienced media outrage for its tone-deaf public statements and less-than-ethical labor practices. In “Yoga Play,” stressed-out yoga apparel CEO Joan is one bad decision away from a PR-nightmare of career-ending proportions, as her activewear giant has recently been charged with fat shaming, exploitative labor practices and cultural appropriation. To temper a furious customer base, Joan and her team hire yoga master extraordinaire Guruji to inject some much-needed authenticity into the brand — which may be either the best or worst decision of their careers.

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“Yoga Play” invites audiences to consider corporate work culture, authenticity, appropriation, immigration and more. The show, presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc., is recommended for ages 13 and up due to racially and culturally sensitive themes and coarse language. 

Performances are scheduled throughout October, and tickets are available now.

More information about “Yoga Play” and the rest of the Department of Theater’s 2025-26 schedule can be found on the department’s website.