Thrive, Or What You Will

THRIVE, OR WHAT YOU WILL tells the story of Jeanne Baret, a gender-nonconforming 18th-century herb woman, who embarks on an 11-year voyage around the world disguised as a (male) botanist's assistant. The first woman to circumnavigate the globe, Jeanne's journey is depicted through a blend of historical fiction and contemporary issues. The play interrogates themes of "discovery," survival, power, access, gender, and identity, while highlighting the subjective nature of history and self. With a style that merges past and present, this epic tale is funny, gripping, poignant, and wild. In this ensemble-driven quest for self-determination, the casting of Jeanne’s character evolves, as Jeanne evolves. Alongside Jeanne's adventure with her companion Commerson, the play explores their relationship and their journey across lands and seas, collecting 6,000 plants. The story combines elements of a love story, Latin taxonomy, feminist historiography, and the universal need to thrive. "THRIVE" also engages in a cross-centuries conversation with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, examining themes of exploration, love, and identity.