A Note from the Director of At Sea, Staring Up

Several years ago, a friend sent me a copy of Finegan Kruckemeyer's At Sea, Staring Up. I read it that evening and loved it instantly. Here was a play carrying not a trace of cynicism, one clearly grown out of the playwright's love for people and all the things that make them messy and beautiful. Its unusual structure reflected its characters' poetically irregular journeys. I knew that this was a play I had to direct. Sure enough, here we are.

The five individuals that comprise At Sea, Staring Up are separated by significant earthly distances, all searching for something the nature of which is totally unknown to them. Our stage is a map these actors have charted together. Their stories are not separate paths, but one, connected by empathy and imagination. It has been my great honor to collaborate with this cast. For two months, I have been their sole fortunate witness; sadly, they are no longer mine, but yours. Thank you for joining the final leg of our journey, one made by an ensemble bound by trust and love.

- Jack Read, Director

A quick, final note: in the original text, Sylvia Wist and Caleb Prosser were written to be Australian. For the North American Premiere, Mr. Kruckemeyer has graciously allowed us to relocate their nationality to America. Thank you, Fin.