HARTFORD—In the not-too-distant future, “Your Name Means Dream” at TheaterWorks Hartford explores humanity in the digital age. This moving performance premieres on June 3 and runs through July 6, 2025.
Isolated in her messy New York City apartment, Aislin nostalgically longs for simpler, analog times. As she ages, the digitizing world around her becomes more and more unfamiliar. Aislin confronts this reality when her son hires a new caretaker—who happens to not be human…at least, in the traditional sense.
Obie Award-winning playwright and Academy Award-nominee José Rivera returns to TheaterWorks Hartford for a second time; his play “Cloud Tectonics” was produced at the theater in the 90s. However, it’s Rivera’s first time taking on the role of a writer-director at TWH.
“[Rivera] will be directing his newest work, “Your Name Means Dream”, a play that shines a light on how technology presses against our humanity,” shared TWH Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero. “I love how it speaks with humor and compassion to this moment in time and inspires conversation about how we navigate the world moving forward. Throughout season 2024-2025, we embraced dreamers — “Your Name Means Dream” feels like the perfect piece to close our season.”
Fascinated with artificial intelligence (AI) for many years, Rivera has wondered about the roles that AI will eventually fill in our personal lives as our society continues to embrace such technologies.
“I’ve been concerned that when I become much older, I [won’t] be able to count on care from my family and friends — and that I would have to rely on AI,” shared Rivera. “This play is the intersection of advances in AI and the human need for care in old age. What would it be like to depend on a machine for medical care, counseling, and friendship?”
Rivera shared that out of all his plays, “Your Name Means Dream” comes the closest to science fiction—while the majority of his work has been described as “magic realism”. However, similarly to his other plays, “Your Name Means Dream” explores concerns for human connection. “It’s an examination of what it means to have a soul and humanity,” said Rivera.
The cast includes Anne O’Sullivan, starring as Aislin, and Sara Koviak, starring as Stacy.
The creative team includes Misha Kachman on set design, Risa Ando on costume design, Yichen Zhou on lighting design, David Remedios on sound design, Paulina “Pau”
Tobar as Assistant Director, Rob Ruggiero as producing artistic director, Mike Lenaghan as director of production, and Tom Kosis as the production stage manager.
Learn more about the performance and purchase tickets at twhartford.org or by calling the box office at 860-527-7838. Tickets range from $25 to $70. The show runs for approximately two hours with one intermission.
These performances are produced in partnership with Theater J in Washington, DC, and are supported by the Cheryl Chase & Stuart Bear Family Foundation and The John & Kelly Hartman Foundation.
Publisher’s Notes: CT Latino News is proud to partner with TheaterWorks Hartford in supporting the state’s Arts and Culture.