Anika Kashyap is an actress from Glen Allen, Virginia. She started acting in high school and quickly fell in love with the craft, taking on parts that ranged from over-the-top characters like Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera to more nuanced roles, such as Irene in Badger. For the latter, she won the Best Actor Award at the District and Regional levels at the VHSL One-Act Competition. 

During her time at UVA, Anika has performed in New Works and Lab Series with Virginia Players, a group for which she currently serves as Co-Community Chair. She also played the lead character in Working Wishes, a short film which premiered at the Adrenaline Film Project Screening, earning second place for the Jury Selection Award. 

Anika views theater and storytelling more broadly as powerful tools for driving positive social change. Inspired by Stella Adler's belief that “theater is the art of telling the truth about life," she strives to tell authentic stories about underrepresented and marginalized groups in her work, fostering emotional connection and understanding that transcends societal differences. Anika is honored to be a Miller Arts Scholar and is excited to learn in a community of passionate artists!