Exterior of Hutchinson Hall at University of Washington

Thrive, Or What You Will

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4045 University Way NE - Google Map
$10 - $22
Performance Showtimes

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. 

Thrive, Or What You Will
Written by L M Feldman
Directed by Adrienne Mackey
May 22 - June 1, 2025
Previews May 20, 7:30 pm
*The preview on May 17, 2025, has been canceled.
Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse
Cast
Jeanne 1Ify Onyekonwu˚
Jeanne 2 / Asker NajwaElla Avital˚
Jean 3 / Asker SebZo Eisenbrey˚
Jean 4 / Asker TJEmma Archbold˚
Jean/ne 5 / J-as-Commerson / Asker CarlaMya Hariri˚
Commerson / C-as-JeanneFinn Jordan˚
Vives 2 / Veron / Translator / Intern /SailorsEliot Lesinski˚
Bougainville / Father Poseidon / Prince / Vives 4Ryan St. Martin˚
Bezac / Aotourou / Vives 3 / SailorsBrennan Sandora˚
La Giraudais / Father Neptune / Vives 1Gage Griffith˚
Jean/es Understudy/ASMJulie Chen˚
Aotourou UnderstudyAkshat Mundra˚
Understudy/ASMJoo Kim˚
Creative Team
DirectorAdrienne Mackey 
Scenic DesignerPorter Lance* 
Costume DesignerLaurence Yu-Hyan˚  
Lighting DesignerMarley Keith* 
Sound DesignerEvan Mosher
Stage ManagerMeryl Hubbard˚
Intimacy DirectorJess K. Smith


˚ Undergraduate student at UW     

*Graduate student at UW

†School of Drama faculty/staff member
 

 

Event Type
Season or Series