If you, like the rest of us, thought that the dire state of the global economy couldn’t really get much worse — think again. Felipe Ossa’s new play, Monetizing Emma, takes us into a horrific and disarmingly realistic near future, in which investing in teenagers’ futures has become the newest financial fad to sweep across the U.S., alluring and manipulating very smart and very vulnerable youth, like the titular Emma Dorfman. Financial wisecracks (and comedic Punch and Judy style banter from the two monetizers, anxious to get Emma on their books) are juxtaposed with Emma’s penchant for Jane Austen and punctuated by her struggle to retain her sense of self when everyone around her is bartering for a piece.

Intrigued? We sat down with director Leah Bonvissuto and members of the cast to discuss money, materialism, The Matrix, and the marketplace. Read More »