January 7, 2026: The Keegan Theatre is pleased to announce the cast and team of JOHN DOE by Angelle Whavers, the first of two World Premieres taking the Keegan stage in early 2026. Commissioned and workshopped by Keegan’s Boiler Room Series (BRS) initiative for new works, this mainstage production of JOHN DOE reflects the realization of BRS’s mission to shepherd bold new works by exciting playwrights through a unique pipeline process, from napkin notes to fully staged productions.
“In the Boiler Room Series,” explains JOHN DOE Director and BRS Artistic Director Josh Sticklin, “we exist to champion new work that takes risks — formally, tonally, emotionally. This play does that with incredible heart. And it asks an urgent question: when something happens that we cannot fix, cannot solve, cannot undo — what do we do with all the love we still have? I’m thrilled to share JOHN DOE as part of the Boiler Room Series because it’s doing what great theatre does: entertaining us, disarming us, and then — when we least expect it — telling us something real. It invites us to laugh, to flinch, to mourn, and maybe to leave the room a little braver than we entered.”
About the play: People-avoider Zia suffers from anthropophobia, the fear of people. People-watcher Doe suffers from being dead. And naturally, only Zia can see him. Brought together by chance, fate, or potentially ghostly revenge, the two set out on a journey to uncover Doe’s forgotten life while Zia faces perhaps a fate worse than death… socializing.
The cast of JOHN DOE includes Ariana Caldwell (Zia), Mitchell Alexander (Doe), Alicia Grace (Talisha), Bianca Lipford (Nadia), and Patricia Williams Dugueye (Mom/Oscar/Jenny).
In addition to Director Josh Sticklin, who also serves as Scenic Designer and Technical Director, the creative team of JOHN DOE includes Niya John (Lighting Designer), Luke Hartwood (Properties Designer), Brandon Cook (Sound Designer), Jeremy Bennett (Projections Designer), Anya Peregrino (Costume & Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer), Mikayla Talbert (Stage Manager), Jared H. Graham (Production Manager), Dan Martin (Lead Electrics Technician), and Isabella Tapia (Revolve Programmer).
JOHN DOE runs January 31-February 22, 2026 with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm, and select Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
Special events scheduled throughout the run include:
- Sunday, February 8: Matinee Child Care is available onsite for just $20 with sibling discounts, provided by Keegan PLAY-RAH-KA Teaching Artists. (Limited capacity, advance registration required.)
- Sunday, February 8: “Meet the Artists” Talkback immediately following the matinee performance. Free and open to all patrons!
- Sunday, February 15: “Meet the Playwright” Talkback with Angelle Whavers immediately following the matinee performance. Free and open to all patrons!
- Wednesday, February 18: Student Night, which includes discounted tickets to the show for current students with valid student ID, plus an opportunity to socialize with Keegan staff and leadership.
- Friday, February 20: Young Professionals Happy Hour, which includes discounted tickets to the show and 1 complimentary drink coupon for patrons under 30 years old.
