Sinclair’s theater department performs Lauren Gunderson’s “Anthropology”

When entering the Black Box Theater at Sinclair College to watch “Anthropology”, the intimate nature of the stage created an immediate and intense connection between the audience and the story. 

This first immersion threw the viewers onto the stage and into the characters’ lives. 

“Anthropology” is a play written by Lauren Gunderson, and put on at the Blair Hall Theater in Building 2. 

The play is structured around the tech-savvy Merril and her struggle when her sister, Angie, goes missing. 

In her mourning and confusion, Merril uses her sister’s information to create an AI version of Angie. This AI has her voice, her face and in some ways her personality. 

Merril creates the AI at first for closure but soon becomes obsessed with using the AI to find Angie. All of this goes on as Merril tries to balance her personal life with her obsession. Merril’s ex-girlfriend, Raquel, and Merril’s mother, Brin, both find themselves tangled in the larger looming web of trauma and dedicated sisterhood. 

The Sinclair Theater Program tackled the raw emotions of these characters with charm and edge. 

Tiffany Higgins’ performance as Merril is so deeply personal. From the moment she walked on stage, she was like an old friend of the audience. Merril is awkward yet sharp; her witty back and forths between her sister, her ex-girlfriend and her mother feel entirely natural. 

Adalia Gaynier plays as both the missing sister Angie and the Artificial Intelligence created to replicate her.

Gaynier plays as the AI for the beginning half of the play. The longer the AI is used, the more it shifts to become whatever Merril needs her to be. This slow progression is tackled artfully by Gaynier, balancing the dichotomy of an emotionless AI pretending to feel.

As Angie, Gaynier is showstopping. Angie’s intensity steals every scene she is in and lingers in every scene without her. Gaynier’s performance as Angie, standing in the spotlight with wide and horrified eyes, introduces Angie to the audience with the same intensity that had loomed around her up until that point in the show.

Rosi Green plays Merril’s ex-girlfriend, Raquel. Raquel is the voice of reason throughout the show. Green’s portrayal of Raquel feels natural and steady. Their choices with Raquel’s character create a powerful moment when she finally confronts the AI.

Kimberly Borst’s portrayal of Merril’s mother is a carefully planned and artfully performed wreck. Merril’s mother is loud, emotional, unstable and charmingly imperfect. Her ups and downs were unpredictable and on occasion, unstoppably funny.

With a four-person on-stage cast, Sinclair Theaters performance of “Anthropology” relies on the connection the cast makes between themselves and with the audience. The play was loud, witty and raw with emotion, which made the experience as an audience member unforgettable.

Get your tickets to “Anthropology” now!

Lillian Klopf, reporter

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