Carroll College Theatre
Events
Anthropology
February 20-March 1, 2026
Anthropology tells the story of a programmer who builds an AI chatbot based on her sister, as a means of processing her grief following the sister's disappearance. The play explores what it is to be human and our growing relationships with AI, and leaves us with many questions.
Performance Dates: February 20, 21, 22 and February 27, 28, and March 1. Fridays & Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays 2:30pm.
Location: Carroll College Flex Theatre (Lower Campus Center)
Anthropology will run about 75-90 minutes and each evening will offer a different engagement opportunity as the second act, lead by Carroll Faculty. Audiences are welcome and encouraged to participate in conversation around this topic.
Anthropology isn’t just something to watch.
It’s something to sit with, question, and explore—together.
The topic is relevant, poignant and for this production, the play is only the beginning. Inspired by Gunderson’s belief in theatre as a thought experiment, director Julia Harris has designed a series of post-show community engagement events that invite audiences to stay with the questions raised onstage.
It’s something to sit with, question, and explore—together.
The topic is relevant, poignant and for this production, the play is only the beginning. Inspired by Gunderson’s belief in theatre as a thought experiment, director Julia Harris has designed a series of post-show community engagement events that invite audiences to stay with the questions raised onstage.
Come for the play. Stay for the questions.
~Fridays February 20 and 27: Art & Creativity: AI vs Hands-on. Carroll Faculty: Diana Devine, Marie Suthers, Beth Demmons, Rachel Martin
~Saturdays February 21 & 28: topic specific, Small Group Discussions with Carroll Faculty including Diana Devine, Dr. Alan Hanson, Beth Demmons, Rachel Martin, Dr. Elvira Roncalli, and more!
~Sundays February 22 & March 1: AI 101: What can/can't it do? Rachel Martin and Diana Devine.
The experiment doesn’t end there. There are ‘bonus features.’
~Feb 26, 7 pm in the Flex Theatre. “Grief in the Modern World: navigating loss and emerging comforts” A panel on grief, a theme from Anthropology. The panel will feature Carroll Faculty including Dr. Katherine Greiner (Theology), Beth Demmons (Wellness Center), Professor Jen Miller (Nursing), and Kelly Quinnett (University of Idaho Head of Acting and a Death Doula). Open to the Public.
~The engagement series will culminate in a post-production community lunch, bringing together artists, audience members, and facilitators to reflect on the experience as a whole and ask: did it work? March 4th, 12pm in the Flex. Brown Bag Lunch. Hosted by director Julia Harris.
The show features adult themes including complicated and sibling grief, addiction, abuse, abduction, childhood trauma, suggestions of suicide, and contains strong language.
