Damaged Goods (2024)
Written by Eric Berkeley
Directed by Brandon M. Weber
Presented at The Flea Theater in New York City, Damaged Goods brought together a creative team and cast to transform an intimate story of reconnection into a live theatrical experience.
The production reflected Unlimited Stages' commitment to creating opportunities for artists while bringing new voices and perspectives to the stage.
The Vision
At the heart of Damaged Goods was the relationship between Steven and Justine, childhood friends brought back into each other's lives at a moment when both were questioning the paths before them. Through their reunion, the production explored how relationships evolve alongside identity, ambition, and the expectations we carry into adulthood.
The story created space for an intimate examination of the choices that shape us and the people who remember who we were before those choices were made. Damaged Goods considered what it means to grow alongside, or apart from, the people closest to us, and whether reconnecting with the past can offer a clearer understanding of who we want to become.
Damaged Goods followed Steven and Justine, two childhood best friends who reconnect after years apart. Having spent much of their lives trying to meet the expectations of others, their reunion forced them to confront a question neither had fully answered: what did they actually want for themselves?
Through their relationship, the production explored friendship, identity, ambition, and the complicated process of defining a life on your own terms.
The Creative Process
From the first rehearsal to the final performance, Damaged Goods took shape through collaboration. The creative process brought performers and production artists together to explore the relationships at the heart of the story and develop the world in which it unfolded.
Rehearsals became a space for discovery, experimentation, and refinement—allowing the production to evolve from page to stage.
PLAYBILL DESIGN:
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Designing the World
The culmination of the creative process was a live performance shared with an audience at The Flea Theater. On stage, the work of months of collaboration came together; bringing the story, characters, and creative vision into a shared space between performers and audience.
What this production required:
Creative Development · Casting · Scenic Design · Costume Design · Lighting · Sound · Movement · Technical Direction · Stage Management · Production Management
Behind the Scenes
A production extends far beyond what an audience sees from their seats. Behind Damaged Goods was a network of artists, technicians, and collaborators whose work made each performance possible.
From production meetings and technical preparation to backstage moments before the show, these images offer a glimpse into the people and processes that brought the production to life.
The Team
At the center of Damaged Goods was an intimate two-person story brought to life by a talented cast of emerging actors. Molly Chiffer and Kwasi Perry originated the roles of Justine and Steven, with Demetrius Kee and Alannah Ciera serving as understudies.
Together, the cast explored the complexities of a relationship shaped by shared history, changing ambitions, and the uncertainty of adulthood. Through rehearsal and performance, each actor brought their own perspective to the characters, helping shape the emotional texture and intimacy at the heart of the production.
THE PLAYWRIGHT
Eric Berkeley
Eric Berkeley is a playwright and founder of Unlimited Stages. Through his work as both an artist and arts advocate, he is committed to creating opportunities for emerging voices and original work. Founded in 2018, Unlimited Stages has grown into a platform for readings, workshops, performances, and new theatrical productions, guided by a mission to make the performing arts more accessible, collaborative, and inclusive.
THE DIRECTOR
Brandon M. Weber
A New Orleans native and multidisciplinary theatre and film artist, Brandon M. Weber's work spans performance, directing, casting, and producing. His experience includes collaborations with Telsey & Co. and major cultural events including the VMAs and Global Citizen Festival. His work centers on amplifying stories of the African Diaspora and creating experiences that challenge audiences and expand perspectives.
A Look Back
Damaged Goods represented a moment of collaboration, experimentation, and live storytelling for Unlimited Stages. The production brought artists and audiences together in the shared experience that makes theatre unique—and remains part of the organization's growing history of creating space for emerging voices and new work.