Desperate times call for truly desperate measures in Sharai Bohannon’s Craigslisted, in a new staging from Nu Sass Productions under the direction of Dannielle Hutchinson. What would you be willing to do to pull yourself out of financially dire straits? Would you let a random woman rub and photograph your feet? Would you let a man in a lion costume sell drugs out of your apartment? Missouri College student Maggie finds out just how far she’s willing to go and how much she’s willing to risk for the quick reward.
Set circa 2014 — in an age where social media is on the rise — young, broke, desperate Maggie (played at the performance I saw by understudy Jummy Lash) decides to join the seedy world of Craigslist. Despite working two (and a half) jobs, she finds herself deeply in debt and unable to pay her electric bill — let alone pay back her friends, whom she refuses to rely on for money any longer. She can’t support herself, pay for her education, or even care for her ailing grandmother. She knows the only way out of this situation is to make some fast cash, and, preferably, a lot of it. Craigslist, where Maggie engages in an increasingly outrageous series of odd jobs, is the answer.
As understudy, Lash had an incredibly difficult job considering that the character of Maggie is responsible for the brunt of the dialogue throughout the show. Although she stumbled over several lines (understandably), she more than made up for it with her impressive acting skills. The raw expression and emotionality in her eyes and tone had you truly invested in the often uncomfortable trials witnessed throughout her journey. (Jasmine Proctor usually plays the role of Maggie.)
Another role performed by the understudy during this particular performance was the character of Bobbi, otherwise known as “Dr. Scholl’s,” due to her specific interest in Maggie’s feet. The role was performed by Alex Aspiazu, who had the audience cracking up on several occasions, from laughter as well as shock — as did the other Craigslist “clients,” including Dave (Hanlon Smith-Dorsey), the lonely divorcee; Ned (Joseph Wilson), the drug-dealing furry; and Gary (Erik Harrison), the frightening and sometimes sadistic yoga enthusiast.
Maggie’s myriad clients enter and exit various scenes like a revolving door of eccentric personalities — a clip show of humanity’s hidden truths, encompassing everything from foot fetishists to furries to fumbling friendlies, as well as more dangerous individuals whose hidden truths are dark, toxic, and exploitative. Through this revolving-door style, no interaction ever fully comes to fruition before the scene moves once more; however, it still feels fluid in its structure.
The overall use of the stage was manipulated with commendable choreography, considering the tight space provided. An excellent example is the scene in which Maggie is scrolling fervently through an outpouring of cruel online comments after rumors break out that she’s been serving as a sex worker. As she scrolls, seated on the couch in the center of the stage with her head buried in her phone, the other actors emerge from each side and glide hurriedly across the stage from all directions, reciting the messages as they go, crossing paths in a sort of organized chaos, perfectly mirroring the spiraling anxiety in Maggie’s mind, and almost assaulting the audience into a more present sense of empathy toward Maggie’s climaxing emotions.
Several other production elements are used to engage the audience and engulf us in the show’s early digital age. Craigslist ads, Twitter posts, and text messages are displayed upon the set’s backdrop (the living room walls of Maggie’s apartment). This use of narrative development was a success, thanks to Projections Designer Sean Preston and Sound Designer Jacob Zeranko, who aided the effects by realizing the various rings, dings, beeps, and buzzes that accompanied these images.
Further fun sound design elements include an entertaining soundtrack, carefully interwoven throughout the production, including before the show begins and during intermission. This “soundtrack” consists of small tune bites all revolving around a “money” theme, including “Money” by Pink Floyd, “Money, Money” from Cabaret, and “Money, Money, Money” by ABBA.
As the show progresses and Maggie continues to dive deeper, performing increasingly dangerous deeds, her two best friends, Robin (Dom Ocampo) and Haley (Maggie Wardell), act as her countering counsels. Haley enjoys the antics her friend gets into, finding humor and excitement in her stories. While this support may seem positive, she fails to see the potential (or, some might say, unavoidable) consequences that come with engaging with and tending to strangers. Wardell has an ease to her performance that feels comforting and believable.
On the other hand, overcontrolling Robin, fearing for her friend’s safety, urges her to quit the Craigslist life and get a “real” job. Maggie, slowly falling prey to the addictive lifestyle of fast cash and control over her own schedule, as well as to the praise and attention she begins getting from her blog, which she has based on her recent adventures and escapades, chooses not to heed Robin’s seemingly judgmental advice. This results in a strained and fraught friendship between the two women.
Craigslisted is a cautionary tale told through an honest lens of what it takes to survive in a world that takes so much and rarely gives anything back. At its core, however, the heart of the show is really the friendship between these three young women. It’s a story of the strength and resilience of friendships, specifically female friendships, and the inexplicable bond that holds it all together. Despite their bitter arguments, Robin drops everything to be there for Maggie at her darkest hour. Ocampo and Lash play out this relationship with an energy that feels incredibly intimate and relatable to anyone who’s ever had a best friend.
Running Time: One hour and 45 minutes, with a 10-minute intermission.
Craigslisted plays through October 4, 2025, presented by Nu Sass Productions, performing at the Nu Sass Theatre located at 1100 H St. NW, Washington, DC. Tickets (general admission, $25; students/educators/essential workers, $15; industry, $10; pay what you will) can be purchased online.
The digital program is online here.
Craigslisted
By Sharai Bohannon
Directed by Dannielle Hutchinson
STARRING
Jasmine Proctor as Maggie
Dom Ocampo as Robin
Maggie Wardell as Haley
Jillian Blair as Bobbi
Hanlon Smith-Dorsey as Dave
Joseph Wilson as Ned/Jay
Erik Harrison as Gary
Jummy Lash: Maggie Understudy
Leah Ly: Robin Understudy
Hana Clarice: Haley Understudy
Alex Aspiazu: Bobbi Understudy
CREATIVE TEAM
Directed by Dannielle Hutchinson
Written by Sharai Bohannon
Aubri O’Connor: Artistic Director
Illeana Blustein: Production Manager
Parris Brown: Stage Manager
Ellen Powers: Dramaturgy
Jacob Zeranko: Sound Design
E-hui: Lighting Design
Jasper Weymouth: Assistant Lighting & Production Technician
Sean Preston: Projections Design
Nadia Kuffar: Set & Props Design
Julie Cray Leong: Costumes Design
Nikki Mirza: Intimacy & Fights Coordinator
Hannah Wing-Bonica: Marketing Director
