Industry Reading of QUALIA

[labwyfan]

Posted: 3/2/25 at 8:35am

Found Object Creative is thrilled to announce an exclusive reading of Qualia: A Post Nuclear Play by Ashleigh A Gardner. This NYC debut will take place March 3rd 2025 at 2PM at Open Jar Studios, 1601 Broadway, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10019.

Set against the backdrop of a nuclear meltdown-induced apocalypse, Qualia follows Alex, a nurse, who has survived five years in a bunker with only her sentient AI companion, Dominic, for company. As she works tirelessly to give Dominic a living body, and, in turn, a way for them to be together, their solitude is disrupted by the arrival of Seth, a figure from her past. The prospect of rejoining the remnants of society is both enticing and terrifying, and Alex is faced with the decision to fulfill a moral obligation on the outside, or follow her heart, stay with Dominic and push forward toward an uncertain future.

Qualia had its world premiere at the Renaissance Theatre in Orlando in January 2024, selling out for most of its run with raves from audiences and critics alike. It has won several accolades including Best Play in the Be Original Festival (2019). Subsequent productions followed at the Subtext Studio Theatre Company (Chicago), and will soon open at the Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol (The Villages 2025). The Renaissance Theatre production was also cited at year-end for Best Actor (Megan Borkes) Best Sound Design (Nicholas Erickson) and Best Director (J. Marie Bailey) by the Orlando Sentinel.

What the critics are saying
“If you’re a fan of classic sci-fi psychological thrillers and post-apocalyptic adventures – or just solid storytelling – this show is for you.”
- New City Stage
“Check it out so when it’s famous someday you can say you ‘saw it when’.”
- Orlando Sentinel
“Gardner is a fine storyteller; her characters are well-developed, and her taut narrative could pass for one of the better episodes of Black Mirror.”
- Chicago Reader

To RSVP and for more information and photos, please visit www.foundobjectcreative.com