Permanent Ink

A Minneapolis tattoo artist agrees to ink a Punisher skull on an ICE agent who won’t stop talking. As the needle hums, bravado curdles into something uglier—and the artist’s silence becomes its own kind of weapon. Permanent Ink is a darkly funny pressure-cooker about power, projection, and the symbols we think we control.

A Minneapolis tattoo artist agrees to ink a Punisher skull on an ICE agent who won’t stop talking. As the needle hums, bravado curdles into something uglier—and the artist’s silence becomes its own kind of weapon. Permanent Ink is a darkly funny pressure-cooker about power, projection, and the symbols we think we control.

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Permanent Ink

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  • Mathew Green: Permanent Ink

    Absolutely loved this. This play comes at a vital issue in a clever way, offering both style and substance. A biting commentary, elegantly presented.

    Absolutely loved this. This play comes at a vital issue in a clever way, offering both style and substance. A biting commentary, elegantly presented.

  • Paul Donnelly: Permanent Ink

    Dawson makes the terrible mistake of assuming that Alex's silence in the face of his racist ranting is assent. Alex uses his art to make clear his contempt for Dawson and all he represents. This play brilliantly captures the self-satisfied mentality of our contemporary fascists. It is deeply satisfying to see such a terrible human being get his comeuppance.

    Dawson makes the terrible mistake of assuming that Alex's silence in the face of his racist ranting is assent. Alex uses his art to make clear his contempt for Dawson and all he represents. This play brilliantly captures the self-satisfied mentality of our contemporary fascists. It is deeply satisfying to see such a terrible human being get his comeuppance.

  • Bill Triplett: Permanent Ink

    Tense and taut from the start. Dialogue teeming with subtext. A confrontation mirroring our times. Rich territory for two actors, and easily produced. This powerful short piece has so much going for it you might not even notice it all right away because it draws you in so fast and holds you until its final moments. A cautionary tale that could also be a news report--about what happens when ignorance and bigotry and the lies they tell themselves get power. Well done, Danielle Wirsansky!

    Tense and taut from the start. Dialogue teeming with subtext. A confrontation mirroring our times. Rich territory for two actors, and easily produced. This powerful short piece has so much going for it you might not even notice it all right away because it draws you in so fast and holds you until its final moments. A cautionary tale that could also be a news report--about what happens when ignorance and bigotry and the lies they tell themselves get power. Well done, Danielle Wirsansky!

View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

ALEX (they/them), a Minneapolis tattoo artist. Calm. Dry. Hard to read.
DAWSON (he/him), an ICE agent. Mid-30s to 40s. Big presence. Performs confidence
like a hobby.
  • Alex
    ALEX (they/them), a Minneapolis tattoo artist. Calm. Dry. Hard to read.
    Character Age
    20s-60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Non-binary
  • Dawson
    DAWSON (he/him), an ICE agent. Mid-30s to 40s. Big presence. Performs confidence
    like a hobby.
    Character Age
    30-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis male or male-presenting