A micro three-act play written by Heather Hawk, Alter explores the absurdity that can become us when things fall apart, and the beauty that can be its transformation.

Alter opened with a performative reading by Amy Jo Rist of shared non-essential possessions (handled strainer, big fan, pot scrubber, round rug, etc.) divided and marked with which person (him or her) would take ownership after splitting.

Heather Hawk performed vignettes based on three stages of her relationship and in dialogue with her divorce papers (performed by Leah Bobalova). Hawk's real-life wedding dress became performative text to be marked, cut, and sewn. Using part of the existing dress and sacred fabric “offerings” brought by audience members, Ruth Waddy altered the dress in real time and created a new, reimagined garment of celebration.

This sacred, collective ritual of unmarrying both object and memory reclaimed the beauty and hope that is not forever after; it is now.

(Photography: Heather Zinger)