Gardner’s script is poetic and profound… and with current debates about Artificial Intelligence in the news… prophetic, too. Qualia begins as post-apocalyptic rumination on loneliness then veers seamlessly in unexpected directions - a romance one moment - a taut thriller the next – with a unique blend of comedy, philosophy, and science fiction throughout. Complex characters, clever dialogue, palpable emotion, and well-paced revelations surprise from start to finish and leave you making discoveries long afterward.

This efficient, deeply felt play has such a pronounced atmosphere of dread throughout. Though it may be set 100+ years in the future, Alex's isolated world, in which tech has gained pronounced importance, is uncanny in its familiarity. The play asks just as many questions about the meaning and definition of love as it does about the ethics of advanced AI (and, specifically, cybernetics). I'm impressed by the ways the decisions made in the piece really stemmed from deep, specific character writing, and how seamlessly characters' unique flaws and blindspots were introduced into the narrative. Intriguing, emotionally-driven work!

Uncannily timely, QUALIA taps in to our current experience with social isolation, and a desperate need for connection. The stakes for Alex are high: after nationwide nuclear meltdowns pushing the country into chaos, she’s hunkered down alone, (for more than five years,) with the exception of her AI personal assistant, Dom, to whom she has developed an unusual emotional connection. Can Alex use her medical training to infuse Dom’s fiber optic soul into corporeal form? Should she? Gardner’s voice is particularly satisfying here, examining our love affair with technology, and its potential to sabotage real-world interpersonal relationships.