Rakesh Palisetty is a writer-director for theater, film, and opera based in New York. Originally from New Delhi, he completed his MFA in Theatre Directing at Columbia University in 2021. Prior to moving to the US, his productions toured extensively across India, including his hit theatrical adaptation of Twelve Angry Men, which has garnered a cult following. His eclectic portfolio of work draws heavily from post-modernist plays and seeks to challenge our understanding of classic texts. Since the beginning of his theater career, he has had a deep connection to work that challenges the status quo and focuses on reimagining classics. His recent directing credits include Hedda Gabler (Lenfest Center for the Arts), Much Ado About Nothing (Two River Theatre), Sky of Darkness (Theatrelab), Thirty Six Questions (Columbia Stages), and Bedtime Plays (The Tank). His Assistant Directing credits include Kimberly Akimbo (Directing Fellow, Atlantic Theater Company), Misty (Assistant Director. The Shed), and Galileo (Assistant Director, New 42 Studios). He has also worked with directors like Ivo van Hove and Thomas Ostermeier.