“If I were to describe what I do, I’d say it’s a form of memoir to some extent.”
Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa is a comedian, writer, and director. His self-directed and self-written comedy specials include Monsoon Season (2022), French Kiss Tunnel (2024), and Woodapple Jam (2024).
Bandara Rajapaksa’s deadpan style puts audiences at ease while challenging conventional wisdom with a unique tone that is often irreverent, at times poignant, and always hysterical. He is currently working on a puppet show slated for the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in his native Sri Lanka.
“If I were to describe what I do, I’d say it’s a form of memoir to some extent,” he says. “I care a lot about applying the craft of stand-up to the things I have to say.”
As a mentor, Bandara Rajapaksa is looking for applicants who engage with the challenge of “properly expressing a feeling,” as he puts it. “One of my favorite things about stand-up is the aspect of risk in it. I would greatly enjoy working with someone whose practice has some aspect of risk.”
While he is open to applications from across disciplines, Bandara Rajapaksa would be particularly interested in taking on a comedian, performance artist, or writer who is in the process of creating their first long-form piece of work—be it a stand-up show, performance piece, play, or any other work meant to be performed live to an audience. Ideally, applicants should already have at least three years of stage experience.
Watch Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa’s Open Call statement below, and enjoy his comedy specials in the subsequent videos:
