Sender (2022)
Written by Ike Holter
Syracuse University Department of Drama

On the anniversary of his presumed death, a charismatic hipster, Lynx, shows up on the back porch of his former lover, Tess. Over the course of the 4th of July weekend, Lynx tries to reintegrate himself back into the lives of those he loves most.

Cast:

The production was crafted with two companies of performers.

Arbor Mist:

Suhail Kumar (Lynx), Eve Dillingham (Tess), Charlotte Bush (Cassandra), Dylan Knight Weaver (Jordan)

Peach Schnapps:

Sammy Haines (Lynx), Mary Underwood (Tess), Morgan Perry (Cassandra), Adam Forward (Jordan)

Design Team:
Adeline Santello (Costume), Sarah Schultz (Lighting), Malena Logan (Scenic), Kevin O’Connor (Sound), Alec Barbour (Violence), Yvonne Perry (Intimacy), Megan Cooper (Dramaturg)

Director’s Note:

According to Urban Dictionary (and unconfirmed by the playwright):

Sender(n): A person who doesn't take anyone’s shit and just does as he/she pleases no matter the circumstances or the outcome.

In Sender, Brigadoon is mentioned a few times. Brigadoon is a Lerner and Lowe musical about two American tourists who stumble upon Brigadoon, a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every 100 years. They fall in love with the town and its customs. One of them even forgoes the pressure of his modern life and chooses to stay in Brigadoon with his one true love. In a lot of ways, youth is like Brigadoon. It’s there for a brief glorious moment and then it’s gone… for your lifetime at least. I’d argue that’s the way it should be. It’s a beautiful place to visit but you shouldn’t stay forever because you’ll disappear with it.

Maturity is one of the most beautiful experiences a human can achieve but it comes at a price. Life presents you with moments to make the transition and it’s up to the individual to cross that line. Over the course of a 4th of July weekend, last summer, the characters decide whether or not they will stay in eternal summer and lose who they were meant to be.