One Of These Women Might Just Be The Next Mindy Kaling

In 2002, a play named Matt and Ben opened at the New York International Fringe Festival. It followed a fictionalized Matt Damon and Ben Affleck after the script for Good Will Hunting was completed, starred a young Mindy Kaling, and went on to have an Off-Broadway run at P.S. 122.

Years later, in her book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Kaling describes how the success of that very show helped launch her now wildly successful career. And over a decade since Kaling took the stage, the New York International Fringe Festival is opening for the 13th time, with 200 different shows on its roster, ranging from musicals to drama to stand-up.

In celebration of the festival's kickoff today, we spoke with some of the female writers and actresses launching their shows on stages across the city. Among the creators is a recent college grad, a Daily Show writer, and a former illustration student — any of whom might just be the next big Mindy.