Ghost in the machine: ‘Anthropology’ at Adobe Theater explores grief in the age of AI

The star of “Anthropology,” by award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson, is a griefbot — a talking digital avatar of computer programmer Merril’s younger sister, Angie, who is missing and presumed dead. Although Merril initially creates the AI-powered version of her sister as a coping mechanism, things take a turn when the bot reveals clues about the real Angie’s disappearance, previously overlooked by police investigators. 

The play opens Friday, Jan. 16, at The Adobe Theater and runs through Feb. 1.

“I’ve worked on several of (Gunderson’s) plays and really love her writing,” Pete Parkin, director, said. “So, when I heard from a theater I used to work with in LA that they were doing this play, and that it was really special, I looked into it. I sent for the rights right away, and then I talked The Adobe into letting me do it.”

Parkin knew very little about AI when he began the project.

“My wife, who’s a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) member, had some concerns about it as an actor, but I didn’t know much more about it than that,” he said.

So, Parkin began researching the subject, beginning with the bibliography Gunderson included with the script.

“I was intrigued with the fact that people were using this to deal with the loss of a loved one,” Parkin said. “It’s relatively easy to program a chatbot and then have it talk in conversations with you. I don’t know how healthy that is for the individuals involved at the end of the day, but it seems comforting.”

The characters in “Anthropology” communicate with the AI version of Angie, played by Lorri Layle Oliver, through a large computer monitor onstage.

“We created a sound booth in one of our dressing rooms … so when she’s in there, nobody can hear her, but you see her picture on the monitor and hear her voice,” Parkin said.

Although the unusual setup took some getting used to, Parkin said the cast and crew developed a “great, collegial feeling,” learning as they go.

“I got real lucky with my cast,” Parkin said. “It’s four women, and I got some really good actors. One of the actors I got, Renee (Pezzotta) just moved here from LA.”

Pezzotta plays Merril’s ex-partner, Raquel. Echo Dobie plays Merril’s estranged mother, Brin. Merril is played by Stephanie Jones, who also previously lived in Los Angeles.

“She’s a wonderful actor,” Parkin said. “I’ve done a couple shows with her before, and she’s really terrific.”

“Anthropology” has a tight, hour-and-a-half run time — “and it flies by,” Parkin said — but it does require that audiences pay attention.

“It’s kind of a mystery… and there’s little clues — my wife likes to call them Easter eggs — that happen throughout the play and lead you along,” Parkin said.

The play asks weighty questions about mourning, memory and the ethics of AI, and it is more cutting-edge than Adobe’s typical programming, Parkin said. He was grateful the theater was willing to take a chance on it.

“I’ve been around theater for a long time, and I really like things that are new — particularly if they’re outside the normal lines of theater,” Parkin said. “I mean, I’m tired of Neil Simon. They’re good plays, but you can only do so many of them … It’s like TV comedy. If I want to see that, I’ll stay home and watch television. If I’m going to the theater, I want something outside of the box.”

Note: “Anthropology” contains adult language that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Logan Royce Beitmen is an arts writer for the Albuquerque Journal. He covers visual art, music, fashion, theater and more. Reach him at lbeitmen@abqjournal.com or on Instagram at @loganroycebeitmen.