Wilderness Generation
Wilderness Generation is a new comedy by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames. Set at a family homestead in Tidewater, Virginia, the play follows four cousins who reunite to pack up their grandmother’s house. A weekend of board games, private jokes, revelations, and uncomfortable truths makes them reckon with the choices handed down by their parents and with what their family legacy should mean. The play asks whether preserving the past requires holding on to it or making room for something new.
The production is presented by Studio Theatre in association with Philadelphia Theatre Company and is directed by Taibi Magar.
When: November 18, 2026, through January 3, 2027
Venue: Victor Shargai Theatre at Studio Theatre
Showtimes: November 18 at 7:30 PM; November 19 at 7:30 PM; November 20 and 21 at 8:00 PM; November 22 at 2:00 PM; November 24 and 25 at 7:30 PM; November 27 at 8:00 PM; November 28 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; November 29 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; December 1 and 2 at 7:30 PM; December 3, with the performance time not listed; December 4 at 8:00 PM; December 5 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; December 6 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; December 8, 9, and 10 at 7:30 PM; December 11 at 8:00 PM; December 12 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; December 13 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; December 16 and 17 at 7:30 PM; December 18 at 8:00 PM; December 19 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; December 20 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; December 22 and 23 at 7:30 PM; December 26 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; December 27 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; December 30 at 7:30 PM; January 2, 2027, at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; and January 3, 2027, at 2:00 PM.
Tickets: Price not available
Playwright: James Ijames, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, director, and educator whose work has been produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and by organizations including the Public Theater and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. His honors include a Pew Fellowship, the Whiting Award, the Kesselring Prize, the Steinberg Prize, and the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for Fat Ham. He is an associate professor at Columbia University and leads its playwriting concentration.
Director: Taibi Magar
Cast: Nikkole Salter as Ramona, JaBen Early as Micah, Nadia Brown as Nicole, Justin Weaks as Smitty, and Khiry Walker as Donovan
Design and production team: Matt Saunders, set design; Kara Harmon, costume design; Thom Weaver, lighting design; Kelly Colburn, projections design; Christopher Darbassie, sound design; Adrien-Alice Hansel, dramaturgy; Gerrad Alex Taylor, fight coaching; JuanCarlos Contreras, production stage management; and Katja Zarolinski, CSA, casting.
Special events: The December 3 performance is designated as Black Out Night, a gathering intended to welcome a Black-identifying audience to experience and discuss the play together. Audience members who do not identify as Black are asked to attend another performance.
Post-show discussions: Artists in Conversation sessions follow the 2:00 PM performances on December 5 and December 6, offering discussions with members of the production’s artistic team.
Childcare Matinee: The December 19 performance at 2:00 PM includes childcare services provided in partnership with the National Children’s Theatre.
Note: The production is generously underwritten by Craig Pascal.