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Primary User by Nate Eppler

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Recommendations

Recommendations

  • Angels Theatre Company:
    6 Feb. 2022
    “ Digital remains. It’s an uncommon phrase, or perhaps an unlikely phrase, that evokes a feeling of cognitive dissonance. After all, digital is impermanent and temporal; remains are physical and lasting. And yet, the phrase clearly strikes a chord within us that causes some discomfort. The digital remains are simply the conduit through which the characters recognize and understand their relationship with the human. A millennial ghost story indeed. And, a deeply felt and important reminder of the relationships, digital and otherwise, that we leave behind.
    ”
  • Brigid Amos:
    12 Dec. 2021
    “ A fascinating exploration into the modern concept of digital remains. Unlike the social media accounts and other online traces of the dead that live on to haunt us, this play further upends the grieving process by pushing digital remains closer to AI, a disturbing prospect that may emerge in the not so distant future. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    10 Aug. 2020
    “ A mind blowing piece about the overwhelming power of technology and that search for connection even artificially after our loved one has past. The memories we cling to, our connection, the questions we need answered, the grief that comes with moving on. It's truly all consuming! Fantastic! ”
  • Nick Malakhow:
    26 Nov. 2019
    “ A gorgeous and poignant piece about grief in the contemporary world. As the play winds back and forth in time, Eppler flashes out several very human and nuanced characters. Using "Ozee" as a device (literal and figurative) to explore Mia, Liz, and Ruthie's competing ownership of memories and the legacy of Oz is brilliant! I'd love to see this highly theatrical piece on its feet. ”
  • River Timms:
    25 Jan. 2019
    “ With 'Primary User', Eppler crafts a brilliant story of grief that examines how difficult it can be to divide up the emotional pieces of a deceased person amongst those that loved them. Highly recommend. ”
  • Victor Lesniewski:
    18 Nov. 2018
    “ A potent exploration of how and why we mourn, this play plumbs the depth of our psychology and unearths hard truths about our self-preservation in the face of mortality. It's a must read. ”
  • Beth Kander:
    16 Nov. 2018
    “ Nate Eppler's Primary User is so timely in addressing grief in the digital age. But it's also timeless, because the trappings of today's technology is really just the background for a deeper exploration of loss and love - who we are, how we present ourselves, how we're remembered. With enough humor to keep it entertaining, this powerful play takes it audience deep into the questions that make us human. ”
  • R. Eric Thomas:
    15 Nov. 2018
    “ A really well-executed rumination on grief and the way we claim ownership over memories. The dialogue is incredibly evocative and so economical. This is a play with a huge beating heart that asks difficult questions. Really gorgeous. ”
  • Ian August:
    1 Nov. 2018
    “ This play is a force. Masterfully constructed and executed, Eppler is able to tap into some universal truths about how we process death. It is touching, it is honest, it also has moments that are funny AF, and it is absolutely ready for production. And the monologues!--actresses will be delivering these monologues at auditions until theater as we know it ends. Eppler is brilliant. This play is beautiful. Do it. ”
  • Stephanie Alison Walker:
    30 Oct. 2018
    “ Eppler's profound Primary User is a unique exploration of grief and loss and what happens next. The chatbot premise is a brilliant, haunting and highly theatrical device that serves to ask deep and difficult questions. How do you let go of someone when you can conjure their voice, their persona, their memories, their essence as easy as saying their name? It's chilling. It's heartbreaking. It's so satisfying. There are so many levels here I haven't even begun to unpack. Just read it. Produce it.
    ”