Fringe Encore: THE PRESENTED by Chris Davis

The Golden Age of Theater has ended: grants canceled, theaters shuttered, universities gone bankrupt. Amongst the wrecked landscape comes The Presented. Fresh off a smashing 7-show run at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, The Presented is back for this encore performance that addresses the challenges of making art in 2025, asking: where do we go from here?

The Presented follows Chris, a struggling artist working concessions at a movie theater, who finds himself spiraling into a surreal subconscious journey triggered (naturally) by popping popcorn. On his quest to confront artistic failure and doubt, Chris meets a parade of strange and compelling characters: a disgraced 19th-century actress, a volatile fringe producer, and a very large bear, among others. With wit, physicality, and an always theatrical flair, Davis explores what it means to be a “chosen” artist in today’s world—and why that pursuit might drive you to madness.

Running 55 minutes and directed by MK Tuomanen, The Presented is a genre-bending, laugh-out-loud examination of rejection, ambition, and the darkly funny terrain of the creative mind. Whether you're a fellow artist or just someone who's ever dared to dream big, this show will resonate... and possibly convince you to choose a more stable career.

"The kind of innovative spirit that the Fringe was originally created to showcase." —The List ★★★★

Chris Davis is a writer and performer residing in Philadelphia, PA. His solo shows have toured throughout the United States and Europe. Recent work includes One-Man Nutcracker, which made its international debut in Germany last year at the Thespis Festival, and The 40-Year-Old Ballerino which had a sold-out run in the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. His show One-Man Nutcracker returns to the Drake Proscenium this Christmas Dec 9th to Jan 5th. Tickets on sale now: onemannutcracker.com

Venue Accessibility: Studio 34 is up a flight of stairs. We are a sober space.