Krishna Istha (born 1993/1994)[1] is a comedian, writer, and performance artist based in London.[1][2] They have performed across the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and the United States of America.
Krishna Istha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1993 or 1994 (age 30–31) Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, writer, performance artist |
| Website | krishnaistha |
Early life and influences
editIstha, who is of Indian descent, is originally from Bangalore.[1][3] They grew up in Sydney.[4]
Istha first became interested in stand-up comedy after seeing performances by Zoë Coombs Marr and Hannah Gadsby. This experience broadened their perspective on the potential of stand-up comedy and its inclusivity. Growing up, Istha recalls being a "goofy" child, often engaging in performances to make others laugh.[5]
Career
editSince 2013, Krishna Istha has been involved in various artistic endeavors across theatre, opera, comedy, and performance art.[6]
Istha’s first solo show, Beast, directed by Zoë Coombs Marr, is a stand-up comedy piece that reflects on their experience being transgender.[3][7] They've also been part of Fck Fabulous*, a variety show by Yana Alana[4] and have collaborated on a play with Travis Alabanza and Emma Frankland for a company of young trans actors.[6]
In 2017, Istha helped establish the Australian chapter of the Cocoa Butter Club, alongside Dani Boi. The cabaret and performance night showcases and celebrates Indigenous and performers of colour, with events running quarterly at the Melba Spiegeltent in Melbourne. The Cocoa Butter Club Australia also staged a sold-out show at Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Midsumma Festival in 2018.[8]
In 2020, Istha was awarded a bursary from Artsadmin to support their artistic work.[7][9]
Istha wrote for season 4 of the Netflix series Sex Education, which was released in 2023.[10]
In 2023, Istha won a grant from Arts Council England to produce their show, First Trimester,[11] which was performed at Battersea Arts Centre. This performance explored their journey to start a family as a transmasculine person with their partner. The show featured intimate live interviews between Istha and participants in search of a suitable sperm donor,[12] focusing on qualities beyond genetics. The performance was also the subject of the documentary short film Sperm Donors Wanted!, directed by Logan Rea, with the help of a Netflix Documentary Talent Fund.[2]
In March 2024, Istha appeared in a Netflix comedy special, Gender Agenda, hosted by Hannah Gadsby and also featuring fellow genderqueer comedians Alok, Chloe Petts, DeAnne Smith, Jes Tom, Asha Ward, and Mx. Dahlia Belle.[13]
Personal life
editIstha is non-binary and transmasculine,[14] and goes by they/them pronouns.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c Bridgeman, Laura; Istha, Krishna (9 October 2019). "A Butch Dandy & A Trans Man Get Real About The Intersection Of Their Identities". Refinery29. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ a b Lawes, Ruth (13 June 2023). "Trans artist trying to conceive baby among winners of Netflix documentary fund". MetroUK. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ a b Codling, Lauren (3 July 2019). "LGBTQ+ performer Krishna Istha talks life and comedy". Eastern Eye. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ a b "F*ck Fabulous Is Anti-Glamour, Neo-Punk, Says Sarah Ward". Star Observer. 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "Exclusive Interview: performance artist Krishna Istha on Hannah Gadsby's Gender Agenda Netflix special "I realized what I was doing was actually stand-up comedy"". The Queer Review. 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b "Krishna Istha". The Wheeler Centre. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b "Krishna Istha". Artsadmin. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ "This Midsumma comedy show is searching for non-toxic masculinity".
- ^ "Artists' Bursary Scheme". Artsadmin. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ King, Jack (22 September 2023). "How the writers of Sex Education got queer and trans representation right for season 4". GQ. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Chudy, Emily (23 October 2023). "Trans Sex Education writer to stage new show seeking sperm donor from audience". PinkNews. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ "Writer and performer Krishna Istha chats about First Trimester, Battersea Arts Centre 1 – 11 November". QX Magazine. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ Hailu, Selome (12 February 2024). "Hannah Gadsby's Netflix Special 'Gender Agenda' Sets Lineup of Genderqueer Comedians: Jes Tom, Alok and More (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Wratten, Marcus (24 September 2023). "How Sex Education season 4 became one of the best examples of trans+ representation in TV history". PinkNews. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ Crosara, Nic (21 September 2023). "Sex Education writer on telling authentic trans stories". Diva. Retrieved 16 February 2024.