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Imagine a world where loved ones can
live on with you forever. In Jordan Harrison’s
new play Marjorie Prime, we explore
a world where holographic recreations
of our loved ones continue to live
alongside us - and help shape our sense
of what it means to be a family. Although
based on science fiction and artificial
intelligence, Marjorie Prime has human
inspiration.
“By the time my grandmother was in her
early 90s, my parents were driving an
hour and a half every day to visit her in
assisted living,” playwright Jordan Harrison
said. “And part of caring for her was
reminding her who she was on a daily
basis—the people she loved, the interesting
things she had done in her life.”
Primes are the holographic projections
of family members designed to aid Alzheimer
patients by providing them with
memories. The Primes can relate these
memories when a patient forgets. It’s
an interesting concept, but the play truly
dives into the intricacies that make each
of us unique.
“On the surface it’s about what happens
to us when we pass away, and what happens
to our memories - but aren’t the
memories of us what define us? What if
something other than ourselves replaces
us?” director Bryce Alexander said. “This
play asks how memory impacts the ones
we love after we’re gone, and explores
the joy that comes with being human.”
“Marjorie Prime challenges the traditional
ideals of family by considering
how a digital replica may or may not be
embraced or loved. It’s a fascinating and
exciting production.”
Marjorie Prime has received critical claim
as an award-winning play and movie.
“The concept of artificial intelligence is
developing every day while our identities
are being linked more and more to
technology,” Alexander said. “What if that
trend continues beyond our lifetimes?”
Marjorie Prime opens
on Feb. 6, 2019 and runs
through Mar. 3, 2019 in the
Tobye Studio Theater.
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