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
For my sister Melissa — my support, my rock, and the person who showed me how to love.
— 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 now · 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 now · 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 now · Box office: 312-337-3992
October 21, 2026 at 2pm
Theater Row 410 W 42nd St, New York City United Solo Festival
MEET THE TEAM
Vishaal Desai - Director
Vishaal Desai is an award-winning writer-director with over 15 years of experience crafting impactful stories. An alumnus of the London Film School and DePaul University, he has worked across a wide range of formats, including short films, features, television, documentary, and commercials.
Vishaal’s work often explores themes of identity, cultural divides, classism, and the beautifully messy complexities of human nature. His projects include directing and editing the acclaimed documentary feature Uniting Through Yoga which streamed on Amazon Prime and producing the Asian Academy Award-winning TV series Bhak. His films have screened at the National Film Theatre in London and at festivals worldwide, earning multiple accolades including Best Director for his debut horror short The Booth.
Beyond his cinematic aspirations, Vishaal is also an avid musician, traveler, and cook. When he’s not exploring the human psyche through his stories, he’s likely exploring a dim sum menu with the same intensity.
Noah Ginex- Puppet designer/Puppeteer
The Noah Ginex Puppet Company has been a fixture around Chicago for over 20 years, creating creatures for companies all over the country and all around the Chicago theater scene, from music videos for Juno-award winning Barenaked Ladies, to local commercials, to several productions with Lifeline Theater. For the last 15 years, Noah Ginex has been hosting Nasty Brutish And Short: a puppet cabaret, for Rough House Puppet Arts, funded in part by The Puppet Slam Network.
I was drawn to work on this piece by its originality and Amy's writing. I look forward to bringing these characters to life.
Kyle Anne Grendys-Set designer
Kyle Anne Grendys is a Chicago-based filmmaker, editor, and production designer whose work centers on people, community, and connection. She has worked on the art production teams for two feature films, seven short films, and numerous commercials, and has served as Production Designer for the stage musical The Last Five Years with Kalliope & Co.
Kyle recently earned her MFA in Film and Television Directing from the DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts, where her narrative thesis film received awards for Best Live Action and Best Directing.
She is currently in development on the plays Grounded with Kalliope & Co. and Condemned to a Life by Amy Kraft.
EVIDENCE OF A LIFE
Amy and Michael, circa 1994
Mother's wedding to Stuart. Subjects in foreground: Melissa Kraft, Michael Kraft. Amy Kraft, circa 1987.
Amy Kraft, post motor vehicle accident. Bridgeport, CT 1999
Newspaper announcement of Amy's college graduation. Mailed to her mother by a cousin. Amy did not attend, circa 2001.
Magazine covers featuring Lucille Ball. Gifted to Amy in early sobriety, circa 2001.
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Simulated clinical encounter. Amsterdamn, Netherlands, circa 2026
Anatomically correct plush Brain. Gift from Amy's little sister, circa 1998.
Hand-drawn polar bear. Gift from a friend during drug and alcohol treatment, circa 2001.
Scan of Amy's brain taken at a French hospital, circa 2007.
— 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
Danielle McLimore
Anonymous, Logan Square
Tim Harper
-FRIENDS OF THE SHOW
Jennifer Rankin, Alice Boatwright, Chelsea Briggs, Allison Richmond, Grace Bieneman, Jessica Hempstead,
Elizabeth Lewis
An excerpt from the table read.
Sketch of a puppet in the show
