top of page
Gemini_Generated_Image_47h2fl47h2fl47h2_

Condemned to a Life

What is the difference between a life saved and a life condemned — and who decides?

A SOLO SHOW BY AMY KRAFT

ABOUT THE SHOW

Dark. Funny.
Deeply human.

Condemned to a Life is a dark comedy told with puppets — because puppets have a way of showing you that everything is going to be ok, bringing instant warmth even to a dark and scary room with nothing but a unicorn beach towel to sleep on. It's a story about surviving a childhood of locked rooms and neglect, a near-fatal car accident, the addiction that followed, and a brother serving life in prison.

But at its heart it's a show about love. What it means to love someone unconditionally. How we learn to ask for forgiveness — from others, and from ourselves. And how humor is sometimes the only way through.

It's a story many people can relate to. Anyone who has ever tried to love someone they couldn't save.

Amy spent decades telling herself her brain injury meant she couldn't do this. She was wrong.

WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY — Amy Kraft
DIRECTED BY — Vishaal Desai
PUPPET DESIGN & PERFORMANCE — Noah Ginex
GENRE — Solo Theater / Dark Comedy
THEMES  Love, family trauma, mental illness, TBI, addiction, the justice system, forgiveness, grit
AUDIENCE — Adults — 18+
CHICAGO PREMIERE — de Maat Studio Theatre, August 2026
NEW YORK — United Solo Festival — Theater Row, Oct 21 2026
For my sister Melissa — my support, my rock, and the person who showed me how to love.

An excerpt from the table read.

Sketch of a puppet in the show

puppet Cigarette puppet sketch

PERFORMANCES

See the show
 

August 13, 2026 at 9pm

de Maat Studio Theater, 230 W. North Ave., Piper's Alley, Chicago

Tickets: $15 General Admission — On sale soon at www.secondcity.com · Box office: 312-337-3992

August 20, 2026 at 9pm

de Maat Studio Theater, 230 W. North Ave., Piper's Alley, Chicago

Tickets: $15 General Admission — On sale soon at www.secondcity.com · Box office: 312-337-3992

August 27, 2026 at 9pm

de Maat Studio Theater, 230 W. North Ave., Piper's Alley, Chicago

Tickets: $15 General Admission — On sale soon at www.secondcity.com · Box office: 312-337-3992

October 21, 2026 at 2pm

Theater Row 410 W 42nd St, New York City United Solo Festival

 Tickets on sale soon

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Be part of
making this happen.

Independent theater runs on the generosity of people who believe in the work. Your contribution goes directly toward puppet construction, set design, paying the cast and crew,  and bringing the show to New York City.

Amy is investing $10,000 into the project. Your contribution can help fill the gap and bring this to the stage.

Condemned to a Life is a fiscally sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) charity. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

— THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

In honor of David and Massimo, for shaping trauma into magic

​Brooke Bassin

bottom of page