Deep Cuts
by Lip Lewis
directed by Felicia P Fields + Mary Angel
About
On a late-night Chicago train, two strangers—Sarah and Marcus—strike up an unexpected conversation that drifts from playful banter to quiet vulnerability. As they reflect on loneliness and the feeling of being unseen, Marcus introduces the idea of “the benefit of strangers”: the ease of being known by someone who has no stake in your past. Sarah responds with a childhood story of abandonment, revealing that her move to Chicago wasn’t an escape or ambition—but a quiet resignation. This brief, intimate moment between two passersby captures one of Deep Cuts’ central themes: how the most fleeting encounters can offer clarity, reflection, and even healing. Set against the backdrop of a Hyde Park community facing gentrification and cultural shift, Deep Cuts explores what it means to hold onto history, redefine belonging, and find connection in unexpected places.
About Amplify
Our new play commissioning program, Amplify, was developed to empower and uplift underrepresented theatre creatives. Winners of Amplify receive a two-year development process with Definition to further develop their work. Learn more about its history →
