PLAY: A Play (Test Run)

PLAY: A PLAY

A game devised by Emily Mast
with Gregory Barnett, Jessical Emmanuel, Terrence Luke Johnson, Andrew Lush, Lisa McNeely & Aramazd Stepanian

The game is divided into multiple Acts, each governed by its own set of often bizarre rules. These rules are enforced by the Referee, who also serves as the Narrator, Commentator, Critic, Mumble Police, Tie Breaker, and Time Keeper. The rules of each Act are gradually revealed through the way the players follow and respect them, seemingly without question. This absurd logic invites us to ask: What is genuinely arbitrary? What can we not escape? What absurdities do we blindly accept in our own lives?

The content of PLAY evolves with each performance, shaped by the immediate thoughts and emotions of the players. Rather than competing, they work together as a team—physically, mentally, and emotionally—functioning as a constantly evolving organism. Their aim is to honor their unique, individual selves while deeply tuning in to one another in the process.

In devising PLAY: A Play, we used experimental practices (hypnosis, tantra, Dom/sub dynamics, emotional attunement, physical movement, free writing, theatrical games, etc.) to engage the subconscious and mine it as a practical tool for inventing narratives, articulating boundaries, and developing systems of trust, support and care.

This piece is very much a work in progress. These showings serve as test runs, shared with our community to refine the content and explore key questions that call for audience insight. We plan to debut the completed work in 2025 and are actively seeking a host venue in Los Angeles, as well as production funding.

Emily Mast wishes to thank The Borman Group, Mark Borman, Rick Hager, Jared Dyer, Yehuda Duenyas, Hero Duenyas, Karl Haendel, Hazel Haendel & Elana Mann.

Host or Publisher Mast on Fig