By:Viraj

Who: Sonal Shah

Where I ran into her: The Kriti Festival, which occurs every other year in Chicago. The Kriti Festival celebrates South Asian and diaspora literature and brings together hundreds of authors, performers, and readers together.

How You Know Her: She played Dr. Sunny Dey on Scrubs.

A Brief Bio:

“Sonal Shah plays Dr. Sunny Dey on ABC’s “Scrubs.” She is a dancer was named Miss DuPage County Queen and one of DuPage’s Top Twenty Students. She received the Burshtan/Kiwanis Leadership Award, the Weinig Travel Fellowship, attended Loyola University as a Presidential Scholar, graduated with a degree in Theatre/Pre-Medicine, and gave the commencement address. Sonal, a founding member of Rasaka Theatre Company, was active in Chicago Theatre and performed with The Goodman among many others. She supplemented her acting education at Improv Olympic, The Moscow Art Theatre School at Harvard University, and graduated from The Second City Conservatory. Sonal booked a series regular role in ABC Family’s “The PTA.” She performed in the NBC Diversity Showcase and has tested for 5 pilots.” - http://www.desilit.org/kriti.php

Another fun fact: Shah was born and raised in Wheaton, Illinois, which is about 5 minutes from me! In addition to being incredibly talented, Shah is also super-friendly, passionate about her art, really funny, and overall a great person that was gracious enough to give this Turtlist correspondent a few minutes of her time

Photography by: Maia Rosenfeld

Website: www.sonalshah.net

Twitter: sonalbshah