The Agency

Ani has always dreamed of becoming an actress, so she's saved up and moved to New York City. But she's not getting cast, and she's almost out of money. So she takes a job at a "rental agency," where lonely clients can hire actors to serve as surrogate friends or loved ones. It seems like the perfect gig - it pays well, she's good at the work, and she's helping people feel...
Ani has always dreamed of becoming an actress, so she's saved up and moved to New York City. But she's not getting cast, and she's almost out of money. So she takes a job at a "rental agency," where lonely clients can hire actors to serve as surrogate friends or loved ones. It seems like the perfect gig - it pays well, she's good at the work, and she's helping people feel better. But what will it mean for her real-life relationships? A play for a world where we can buy whatever we want - if we're willing to pay the price.
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The Agency

Recommended by

  • Aly Kantor:
    27 Aug. 2023
    The conceit behind this play is fascinating, and paired with Lia Romeo's phenomenal execution, this piece resonates. I love the way it explores the types of "lesser grief" that we're all expected to live with - natural estrangement, breakups, and our own imagined futures. It made me think a lot about how every relationship is a sort of performance - what does it mean to be authentic in a dynamic world? The dialogue is spare, snappy, and effective, and the scenes consistently move at a fast and engaging clip. The ending is devastating and perfect. Painful, relatable, moving, and cathartic.
  • Kitchen Dog Theater:
    27 Jul. 2023
    We are pleased to support this play & playwright! THE AGENCY was a featured staged reading in our 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.
  • Grant MacDermott:
    8 Jan. 2023
    This play is full of so much wit, insight, heart, humor, and humanity. Lia, in her usual amazingly economical dialogue, gets right to the heart of each character and each scene with incredible dexterity. A wonderful commentary on how grief and capitalism intersect with a simultaneous razor sharp accurate critique of the hustle culture of an artist. I was laughing one minute, nodding the next, and then gasping at the truth bombs she drops every page. Highly recommend this play.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    The Juilliard School
    ,
    2023
  • Workshop
    ,
    La Jolla Playhouse
    ,
    2022
  • Commission
    ,
    Fairleigh Dickinson University
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Fairleigh Dickinson University
    ,
    2020

Awards

Kilroys List
,
The Kilroys
,
2020