Upasna was born in Naperville, Illinois and lived in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. When she was 18 years old, she began writing for Rookie Mag publishing narrative essays on topics such as Indian identity, imposter syndrome, self-harm, and grief. She also had a video column with Rookie called Upasna Asks.

Upasna’s acting credits include Natalie in Mosquitoes (Steep Theatre) and Sarita Imari in Right to Be Forgotten (West Virginia Public Theatre).

Her first play, The Choice is Yours ,was the runner up for the 2019 Judith Barlow Prize. In December 2022, she wrote her second play, good friends , for which she self-produced a staged reading in her Brooklyn living room. good friends is currently a semi-finalist for the 2024 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference (wish her luck). She also co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in the short film Little Slut.

She was selected as the 20/21 Steppenwolf Theatre Literary Apprentice and Fellow. Her self-help podcast, Don’t Butcher It, was selected as a 2021 Spotify Next Wave winner. She is a 2023 Youngblood/EST Finalist.

Upasna is currently working on her third play, couple goals , through the Art House INKubator New Play Program.

You can contact her at upasna.barath@gmail.com.