“Lipika” is the Sanskrit word for “writer.” Perhaps Lipica’s chosen path was written in the cards the day her parents named her. Then again…

Born in Indiana and raised in a small town in New Jersey, Bengali-American actress Lipica Shah was gripped by stage fright at an early age and spent her childhood actively avoiding the limelight. Though she loved to sing and play dress up and reenact all the parts from various movies (especially Aladdin), she made certain to do so only in the relative safety of her own bedroom. And then in high school, fate – in the form of a “double doggy dare” – intervened.

Her given task was to audition for her school’s annual musical. Lipica landed the role, much to her surprise, and it ignited within her a long-dormant passion for character creation and performance. Thus, she maintained her academic studies – she was, after all, still intent on going to college to study forensic pathology – but kept acting in plays and musicals whenever she could, in school and community theaters. As she fell more and more in love with the performing arts, Lipica surprised her parents with the decision to pursue a career not in the sciences, but as an actor.

Acceptance into New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Drama Department sealed the deal – it afforded her the opportunity to explore the theatrical world and entertainment industry while continuing to feed her insatiable appetite for knowledge of the world around her. At NYU she studied with Stonestreet Studios and Playwrights Horizons Theater School; now, based in Manhattan, she immerses herself in all facets of the entertainment industry, on screen and stage.

Lipica has a soft spot for sassy (on the verge of neurotic) female characters, and someday she would really like to star in a Sharktopus-esque science fiction film. In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, cooking (and eating), crossword puzzles, being outdoors, and anything involving Nutella. Lipica thrives on collaborative work, and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. She signed with Bloc NYC talent agency in 2008.