Marjorie Prime

by Jordan Harrison

“Science fiction is here, Jonathan. Every day is science fiction. We buy these things that already know our moods and what we want for lunch even though we don’t know ourselves. And we listen to them, we do what we’re told. Or in this case we tell them our deepest secrets […] We treat them like our loved ones”

In her daughter’s living room, 85-year-old Marjorie drifts through her final years alongside her beloved husband Walter… or rather, an artificially intelligent version of the deceased, Walter Prime. Programmed to recall and recite her memories, the young, dashing shadow of what once was becomes the only force grounding Marjorie to reality– or the reality she would prefer to remember.

Marjorie Prime is a play of grief, hope, and the nebulous realm of human recollection. It is also a story of science and technology, and the fundamental ways in which it shapes our understanding of each other, making it an ideal piece for our current moment. Auditions, rehearsals and performances of this piece will take place entirely over Zoom, and we encourage all students to audition, regardless of experience level or enrollment status this semester!

Content warning: discussions of suicide

For all inquiries, please contact:

eliza.macgilvray@yale.edu