Writer Krishna Istha talks new queer play ‘Thunder Thighs’: “I’m interested in writing characters who are more than their identities”

The National Youth Festival celebrates the 2025 edition of StoryFest, continuing their mission of supporting up-and-coming talent through this latest showcase of new work. Guillermo Nazara chats with one of its authors to learn more about the development of their piece and why its derby-themed narrative is bound to be on a roll.

How did the idea for the show come about?

It actually came about in a really random way! I had a meeting with the producers at NYT, and they asked if I had any ideas for a new play. It was for STORY FEST — a festival they run that champions new writing.

They mentioned the show would be staged in the round, and that instantly sparked something. A few years back, I’d come up with an idea for a TV show about a roller derby team (very underdogs-sport-movie vibes). As soon as they said “in the round,” I knew this was the idea I wanted to explore. The format suited a roller derby track perfectly. Maybe it’s a weird place for inspiration to come from — the seating plan of a show I hadn’t even written — but I’m a big fan of ‘form dictates content’!  

We’ve come a long way in terms of increasing queer representation in storytelling. However, do you think sports are still far behind in that matter? 

I don’t think there’s a lack of ‘representation’ in sport per say, I think it’s more that queer, trans and intersex people are actively discriminated against in sport, which invariably means less people want to be out, or find the means to stay in sports. What I love about roller derby is that it’s a sport that’s unapologetically inclusive. If you’re not queer/trans friendly, chances are there just won’t be space for you in it. It’s a sport that’s played worldwide, and is an incredible example of how trans people, trans women, and cis women can play alongside each other — effectively, and without all the so-called “problems” that other sports claim come with including trans athletes. 

I can’t speak to the real, lived experience of trans athletes — I’ve never been great at sports, so it’s not really my place to say — but I do know that ‘sport’ is just one of many arenas the representation of trans people is slim, and we’re being increasingly alienated and vilified by the media, institutions, and governments. What’s refreshing, though, is that most people I meet day-to-day don’t think like that. That gives me some hope.

The play deals with teenage queer characters. Will their age play a key part in their character development and queer identity at all?

I mean, in many ways it’s a true teen show — there’s romance, heartbreak, trying to find yourself, etc. But it’s also about more universal things that aren’t age-specific, like friendship and the desire to fit in somewhere or find your people (even if that means not fitting into mainstream society).

There aren’t really any ‘coming out’ narratives in it (which often get framed as the ultimate queer coming-of-age storyline, but I’m kind of over that!). I want to explore stories where queer characters are already sure of their queerness (even as teenagers — because these days, most of them are! And that doesn’t mean identities can’t change as these characters age, but more that they know who they are for this moment in time and they back themselves). And this leaves room to explore all the other fun, messy, joyful parts of being young and queer – which I love! 

Which LGBT+ themes have you tried to explore through the narrative? Are there other non-queer themes you’ve also tried to cover?

There are seven characters in the Thunder Thighs team, and they’re all going through different things in their lives. The narratives are intersectional — because to me being queer doesn’t mean you’re not also a person of colour, or neurodivergent, or working class.

I like to say I make work that’s political with a small ‘p’. It’s their lived differences that cause the tension, but the politics of their identities is never front and centre — it’s always in the subtext. I’m interested in writing characters who are more than their identities, and through them I’ve explored themes like transphobia, queer friendships, love, class, race, and more. All of that sounds a bit serious — but honestly, the play is incredibly FUN! Levity plays a really important role in it!

What has the development process been like?

It’s been a JOY! NYT have been incredible to work with. We started with a few days of R&D time, which gave me space to workshop ideas and storylines with some NYT members. We’ve only got a few days of rehearsals before we do a few shows. It’s a short, fast process, but this is just the first or second draft of the piece — and as a writer, it’s so rare to have this kind of developmental opportunity with a full cast and live audience feedback. I’ve been so impressed and moved by the cast —  all of them are such talented, funny, intelligent collaborators and performers. We’ve been working with director Nancy Zamit and assistant director Louise Beresford, both incredible artists and ridiculously funny. I’ve loved watching them bring the script to life. And they’re also just such a joy to be around, we’ve had a lot of laughs!

Have you drawn from your personal experience as a queer person to create the piece?

Yes, absolutely! I think the whole piece has a queer sensibility — even though not all the characters are queer — and that’s very intentional, and definitely drawn from my own experience of being queer. That’s just my immediate instinct, to make work that feels queer, even if it’s not per say about ‘queer’ things. There’s a part of me in all these characters, both the queer and non-queer ones. There’s a character growing up with a single mum, there are trans characters, there’s young queer love, there are people who feel underestimated because of how they look or who they are — all of those experiences are mine. I’ve just channeled them into different characters, in slightly different ways.

What message are you trying to convey through this narrative?

That misfits have a home too — you just have to find the right people. It’s about how everyone, in their own way, feels like an outsider — even the ones who seem like they’re “fitting in.” It’s about letting go of who you think you should be, and embracing the messiness of being yourself.

Why come see ‘Thunder Thighs’?

Because it’s so incredibly FUN (if I do say so myself)! If you love a good teen movie — think 10 Things I Hate About You, Whip It, Mean Girls, She’s The Man, Drop Dead Gorgeous — you’re gonna love this. It’s silly, it’s joyous, and you’re in for a laugh. And the NYT actors? Honestly, INCREDIBLE.

Picture credit to Helen Murray.

Thunder Thighs was performed at this year’s edition of the National Youth Festival’s StoryFest. Further shows are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara