Hookman by Lauren Yee follows Lexi, a college freshman who must grapple with the death of her best friend, Jess. The show is a coming of age story that explores memory, grief, culpability, and friendship, with a healthy sprinkle of horror movie tropes on top as she is haunted by the titular Hookman. In preparing for the show, the director Nathaniel and I spoke about light as a tool of both memory and revelation. How does Lexi feel about these moments, how does she remember these people and places, and what effect does the Hookman have on those memories? Lexi's journey of memory and grief culminates in a final moment of true recollection and the glare of a red light on the street- and in that, one perfect moment of understanding.

Hookman will be produced by the University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies in the Kogod Theatre at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in November 2021.

RESEARCH