Press

​​

• Bold Journey Interview with Sophiyaa

​

• CanvasRebel Interview with Sophiyaa

​

• Chhaya, World Premiere at iSAFF 

​

• Calculating Change, accepted into South Asian Short Film Festival in Kolkata

​​

• Good Years, nominated for Best Short at the Toronto Indie Shorts Festival

​

• Good Years, nominated for Best Narrative Short at the Rome World Cinema Fest

​​

• "A nationally rising director", Windy City Times

​

• Conversation with Andrew Gilbert of the San Francisco Chronicle, about Movement Live. 

​

• “This charming production challenges all preconceived notions of a play about an Arab American Muslim family," Chicago Reader. 

​

• “Sophiyaa Nayar’s well-paced, excellently guided production makes Salem’s story just about as universal as it can be. Audiences should see themselves clearly in these fascinating, realistic characters," Chicago Theatre Review

​

• “A dynamic display of artistic excellence with credit to both Scheer and Nayar’s comedic timing," and “Sophiyaa Nayar’s moving and tactfully directed production makes excellent use of Steep’s new home," Rescripted.

​

• “Steep Theatre’s production is… near flawless," Chicago Maroon. 

​

• “The play offers a picture of resilience, but not in a romanticized sense — it’s honest about human flaws”

​

• "The way each episode ebbs and flows in narrative weight highlights Salem’s gift for storytelling, as well as Nayar’s ability to conduct the momentum of Salem’s script with a deft hand," Rescripted.

​

• "Gripping and tender," Chicago Reader 

​

• Movement Live, in American Songwriter

​

• Love in The Time of Jonestown with The New Coordinates 

​

• Shakuntala at The Goodman Theatre

​

• Jackalope Theatre announces New Frontier Series

​

• WP Theater Names 15 Artists Selected for 2020–2022 WP Lab

​

• Definition Welcomes New Ensemble Members

​

• Writers Theatre Offers Free Performances of The MLK Project

​

• EthiopianAmerica Review, Chicago Tribune

​

• EthiopianAmerica, Jeff Award for Best Fight Choreography 

​

​