PROVO, UT – Vicariously Staged Productions (VSP) proudly announces the world premiere of Paper Weight, an original play written and directed by Skyler Denfeld, running May 15–17 and 20–22 at The Hive Collaborative in Provo, with select performances live-streamed for audiences beyond Utah Valley.
At once intimate and abstract, Paper Weight unfolds within the fragmented mind of Rosie, a woman living with early-onset Alzheimer’s. As her family gathers to say goodbye, memories—both joyful and painful—rise to the surface, revealing the invisible weight we carry through love, loss, and time. Performed by a dynamic ensemble and underscored by an original composition by Brandon Merrill, the piece blends poetic storytelling with raw emotional resonance.
Originally developed as a student-devised project, Paper Weight is now a fully realized theatrical work that reflects the heart of VSP’s mission: to make space for emerging artists and the kind of messy, meaningful storytelling that mirrors real life.
“For me, Paper Weight has always been the reason Vicariously Staged existed,” says Jared Kamauu, producer and CEO of VSP. “It’s a story I believed needed to be shared—and it exemplifies our commitment to platforming new voices, new forms, and emotionally truthful work.”
Founded in 2023, VSP has quickly made its mark on the Utah theatre scene with bold, original productions centering underrepresented voices. Their debut piece, Every Brilliant Thing, starred solo performer Mari Joy—now the company’s theater and marketing coordinator—and received praise from Utah Theatre Bloggers as “a powerful and thought-provoking piece of theatre,” lauded for its intimacy and inventiveness.
Paper Weight continues this trajectory with a collaborative, multi-generational narrative that leans into theatrical experimentation. For playwright-director Skyler Denfeld, the story is deeply personal: they began the piece in college after losing their grandmother to Alzheimer’s during the pandemic. “The play grew from questions about memory, connection, and survival,” Denfeld shares. “Now, watching this ensemble bring it to life—each moment full of nuance and care—has been astonishing.”
Audiences can expect an immersive and emotionally rich theatrical experience. The show is part memory play, part dreamscape—tethered by family, music, and the enduring power of love.
With a diverse cast of Utah-based artists and a live-streaming component designed for accessibility, Paper Weightextends VSP’s reach while staying rooted in its core values: honesty, empathy, and community.
In the words of VSP’s team: this is a play about forgetting, but it asks us to remember what matters most.
Performances:
The Hive Collaborative | 591 S 300 W, Provo, UT | May 15–17, 20–22
Select performances live-streamed
Tickets + Info: vicariouslystaged.com
Follow on Instagram: @vicariouslystaged
Media Contact
Company Name: Vicariously Staged Productions
Contact Person: Media Manager
Country: United States
Website: https://vicariouslystaged.com
