Actor | Television • Film • Classical Theatre • New Work

Creating stories from the first workshop to final performance

Purva Bedi is a New York-based actor recognized for her work across television, film, classical theatre, and the development of new plays. Recent credits include CBS's Elsbeth, the feature film Relay, Men on Boats at Nantucket Performing Arts Center, Cymbeline with NAATCO and Play On Shakespeare, and Coach Coach with Clubbed Thumb.

Featured Work & News

Television

Guest Star on Elsbeth (CBS)

Purva guest starred as Jules on the hit CBS series Elsbeth. Season 3 Episode 14, "Deadutante," is now streaming on Paramount+.

Film

Relay

Purva appears in Relay, the thriller directed by David Mackenzie and starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and Sam Worthington. The feature is now available on streaming platforms.

After Moonrise

Purva starred as Priya in After Moonrise directed by Vinamrata Singal, a short film exploring the layered dynamics of an immigrant mother-daughter relationship. The film has screened at several New York City screenings and continues its festival journey.

American Desi | 25th Anniversary Reunion

Purva reunited with the cast of the landmark independent cult classic film American Desi to celebrate its 25th anniversary, honoring the film's enduring legacy as a groundbreaking milestone in South Asian American independent cinema.

Theatre

Men on Boats | Nantucket Performing Arts Center

Purva recently appeared as Dunn in Jaclyn Backhaus's Men on Boats directed by Carsen Joenk at Nantucket Performing Arts Center. The production marked her third collaboration on a play by Backhaus and her Nantucket debut.

The Lucky Ones | Boomerang Theatre Company

Purva appeared as Vanessa in the New York premiere of The Lucky Ones by Lia Romeo, directed by Katie Birenboim for Boomerang Theatre Company. The intimate three-person play continued Purva's longstanding commitment to championing compelling new work.

Cymbeline | NAATCO / Play On Shakespeare / Classic Stage

Purva appeared as Lucius in Cymbeline, presented by NAATCO in partnership with Play On Shakespeare at Classic Stage Company. Directed by Stephen Brown-Fried and featuring a contemporary translation by Andrea Thome, the production continued Purva's longstanding engagement with classical theatre.

Coach Coach | Clubbed Thumb Summerworks Festival

Purva appeared as Ann in Coach Coach by Bailey Williams as part of Clubbed Thumb's Summerworks Festival at The Wild Project. Directed by Sarah Blush, the production celebrated the bold, inventive new plays for which Clubbed Thumb is known.

Recognition

Charles Bowden Award | New Dramatists

Purva received the Charles Bowden Award from New Dramatists, recognizing an actor's extraordinary collaboration with resident playwrights. The award was presented at New Dramatists' annual Spring Luncheon, a celebration of the theater community honoring Stephen Schwartz.

Target Margin Theater Honoree

Purva was honored by Target Margin Theater at its 2024 gala in recognition of her longstanding artistic contributions as an actor, Associate Artist, and Board Member. She was also included among the Target Margin artists recognized with the company's Obie Award.

New Work Development

Purva is a frequent collaborator in the development of new plays, working with playwrights and theatre companies through workshops, readings, and world premieres. She is the recipient of the Charles Bowden Award from New Dramatists, recognizing her commitment to supporting new work. Recent new play development collaborations include work with the following playwrights. See New Work Development page for a more complete list.

Jaclyn Backhaus
Chad Kaydo
Jasmine Sharma
Danny Tejera
Alyssa Haddad-Chin
Ife Olujobi
Max Mooney
Laura Waldren
Andy Bragen
Kanishk Pandey

Special Projects

SUFFS PBS Broadcast

Purva served as the live Voice of God announcer for the PBS broadcast premiere celebration of the Tony Award-winning musical SUFFS at Town Hall, an evening featuring artists, creators, and special guests including Hillary Rodham Clinton.