Dear friends,

We are deeply saddened to learn that Marina Keegan, the talented young playwright behind our 2012 reading series production of Utility Monster, died on Saturday.

Marina was just 22. She graduated from Yale University last week and was set to make Williamsburg, Brooklyn her home as she began life as a writer and theater artist.

To us, Marina was defined by her ideals (see her Yale Daily News editorial “The Opposite of Loneliness“) and her extraordinary sense of possibility and momentum. Just being near her was exciting because you knew big things were on the horizon.

She wrote plays, at least one musical, poetry, opinions, and editorials. This New York Times article is as good a starting point as any for digging into her legacy as a writer: “Marina Keegan, Student Journalist Who Took On Wall St., Dies at 22”

As for our tiny family at Firework Theater, Marina reminded us all of why we got into theater in the first place: because life is short but it can be extraordinary.

In her words, “We’re so young. We can’t, we MUST not lose this sense of possibility because in the end, it’s all we have.”

A memorial service for Marina is scheduled in Wayland, MA this Saturday, June 2.

Please keep Marina’s family and friends in your hearts and prayers.

Sincerely,
Ben & Mike
Firework Theater

May 29, 2012