Ensemble Studio Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation present
a new play by Mary Elizabeth Hamilton, directed by Matt Dickson*
featuring Christine Farrell*, Francesca Fernandez, & Kea Trevett
with the voice of Sherz Aletaha
Elaine's cantankerous, ailing mother, Ruth, won't let aides in the house to help her, making it impossible for Elaine to go to work. In desperation, Elaine buys a "Jenny," a smart device which doubles as a babysitter/companion for her mom - while allowing Elaine to check on Ruth from anywhere. Jenny quickly feels like another member of the family, playing games with Ruth and talking Elaine through her insomnia. But what if Jenny isn't the only one listening? A play about how and why we let technology into our homes, and the unexpected changes that tech can bring.
Now extended Through April 30!
Production Stage Manager - Lauren Nicole Jackson | Scenic Designer - Ant Ma | Props Designer - Caitlyn Murphy | Lighting Designer - Colleen Doherty | Costume Designer - Megan Rutherford | Sound Designer - Josh Samuels
*denotes EST Member Artist
Meet the Creative Team
Mary Elizabeth Hamilton is a Brooklyn-based playwright, tv writer and mom. She holds her MFA from The University of Iowa and an Artistic Diploma from Juilliard. Mary was a Jerome Fellow at The Lark and has participated in Youngblood, The O’Neill, Ars Nova, I-73, New Georges' Jam, and Play Penn. Her play 16 Winters won ASC's New Contemporaries Award. She is developing her play Smart with EST, and writing a pilot based on this play for AMC. She was a Story Editor on “Why Women Kill”, wrote the podcast "Power Trip" starring Tatiana Maslany, and is a resident playwright with New Dramatists.
Matt Dickson* is a director based in Brooklyn. Upcoming: Where Did We Sit on the Bus? by Brian Quijada (Marin Theatre, Denver Center), Step Mom by Jahna Ferron-Smith (InterACT Theatre). Recent: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Queens College), Where Did We Sit on the Bus? (Cleveland Playhouse, Colorado Springs & a digital creation with Satya Chávez for Actors Theatre, nom. for Drama League Award), Everything is Wonderful by Chelsea Marcantel (Juilliard). He is a 2021-2022 recipient of the Drama League Next Stage Residency, a 2017 Drama League Fellow, a Jonathan Alper Directing Fellow (Manhattan Theatre Club) and proud member of EST.
Christine Farrell* is an actress, playwright, and director. Selected theatre credits include Uncle Vanya, Comedy of Errors, and countless new works. TV/Film: “Law & Order”, The Ice Storm, Fatal Attraction. Directing: Hunger by Amy Herzog and War by Bill Bozzone. Her short plays include The Once Attractive Woman, For the Love of a Saint (EST Marathon); Our Half of the Sky; Mama Drama (EST, Cleveland Playhouse). She is an EST Playwrights Unit Member, and a recipient of an NEA Affiliate Artist grant, a MacDowell Colony fellowship, and a Mellon grant. Currently, Christine teaches at Sarah Lawrence College, where she served as Artistic Director of the theatre program from 2010-19. Proud member of EST.
Francesca Fernandez Off-Broadway: ...what the end will be (Roundabout), Gloria: A Life (Daryl Roth Theatre), Kenny's Tavern (59E59), Sorry Not Sorry (Ars Nova), Love: Medea (Center at Park West). Regional: Bald Sisters (Steppenwolf), Twelfth Night (KCRep), Good Person of Szechwan (CalShakes), Nanay (Magic Theatre), SYZRGY (Two Rivers Theatre), Lily's Revenge (Southern Rep), Sheddin' (Horizon Theatre), Hotel Plays (Provincetown Players). TV/Film: “Law & Order: SVU”, “Blue Bloods”, Arcadia, The Hardest Part, Mooshrooms, “Locker Room” Series, PBS’ Great Performances recording of Gloria: A Life. Yale MFA Acting @cheskamckenzie.
Kea Trevett (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based actor, writer and educator. NY stage: Roundabout, Classic Stage Company, Lincoln Center, Ars Nova, and The Sheen Center. She’s developed work at New Georges, The Lark, Page 73, Cherry Lane, and Goodcap Arts. Her film work has screened at Sundance, Atlanta Film Festival, Outfest and Newfest. Kea teaches playwriting and theatre at TFANA and LCT. She is a co-founder of Apocalyptic Artists, a theatre co which provides free classes and productions to NYC schools. Kea is an Outfest Screenwriting Fellow, a Story Pirate, and proud dog mom. www.keatrevett.com