the RENAME project by Joan Dolf

I first read the RENAME project on March 31st of this year. Instead of attending any Easter festivities, several Cypress usuals gathered at Joan’s apartment to read a draft of the new play they were working on. When we sat down and divided out parts to read, I had no idea what to expect. Approximately ninety minutes later when we finished reading, I was rendered pretty speechless. Even in its earliest iterations, this script was equal parts silly and dramatic but at the same time chillingly real and, of course, absolutely insane. It’s something that could only be written and produced now at this precise moment: the 2024 Presidential Election cycle, in all of its terrifying absurdity.

And yes, of course, you absolutely should go perform your civic duty on November 5th. But more importantly (yes, even more important than voting itself!) your interest in what is happening here and around the world should not be cast off once the elected takes office. Your pressure on these candidates to act on the issues that matter most to you cannot end once they become elected officials. The machine of which every single one of them is a part does not care about you. When YOU stop caring is exactly when THEY stop caring.

Making good art with good people is all I have ever wanted to do, and without you, the audience, it wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for coming out to support the world premiere (!!!) of the RENAME project. Thank you to the Cypress crew for always getting it. Thank you to the cast for being so willing to play and create. And thank you to Joan for writing and having me on to direct the craziest but most fun play.

Thx,

Fig