Myocardium; Graphite, a new work by University of Iowa MFA playwright Eli Campbell, offers a poignant and immersive experience that grapples with the complexities of human vulnerability, trauma and connection.
This intimate piece — staged for the first time Dec. 6-14 by Dreamwell Theatre — draws its strength from its deeply human characters and the powerful use of Iowa City’s The ArtiFactory. Blending realism with raw emotional depth, the play is a thoughtful exploration of the ways in which people see one another and themselves.
Myocardium; Graphite takes place in a community figure-drawing class, where two young women, KC (played by Jennifer Hogan) and Maya (Zoe Hoffenberg) find themselves confronting unresolved traumas. The class is led by Jonie (Kristy Hartsgrove Mooers), a former heart surgeon and novice artist, and provides the setting for an exploration of the vulnerability inherent in both drawing and being drawn.
As the two women struggle with their own personal baggage, Jonie’s own emotional journey — marked by a tumultuous legal battle — provides an intriguing parallel. The fourth character, Ryan (Owen Brightman), Jonie’s son, is at odds with both his mother and his own sense of self-worth. As their stories unfold, the audience is drawn into a web of connections, revealing just how much can remain hidden beneath the surface.
Directed by MFA director Kayla Adams, the production makes use of Artifactory’s space, transforming the otherwise minimal setting into an evocative, living classroom. The performance room itself becomes a part of the play. The intimate setting enhances the themes of vulnerability and exposure that run throughout the piece. Adams’ direction is a delicate balance of subtlety and intensity, allowing the emotional depth of the material to breathe while keeping the pacing taut and engaging. The room feels alive with tension as the characters wrestle with both physical and emotional discomfort.
The set design, minimal yet purposeful, reflects the simplicity of the figure-drawing class but is layered with meaning. The starkness of the environment complements the rawness of the characters’ interactions, giving the performance a sense of realism that allows the actors’ performances to truly shine. The use of harsh lighting, particularly in the moments where the audience’s presence feels most palpable, reinforces the sense of being seen — a central theme of the play. This lighting choice mirrors the discomfort that both the characters and the audience experience, creating an atmosphere where every moment of silence or tension feels significant.
What makes Myocardium; Graphite particularly striking is its ability to weave together humor and heartbreak, never allowing one to overshadow the other. The dialogue is sharp and grounded in the kind of realism that makes the characters feel both unique and universally relatable. Issues like depression, mourning and sexual abuse are addressed in a way that feels authentic without becoming heavy-handed or preachy.
Though the play occasionally treads familiar ground in its exploration of trauma and healing, its strength lies in the way it uses the unique space of The Artifactory and the deep emotional connection between its characters. I also wondered how the character of Maya contributed to the play’s perspective, as at times she seemed to serve mainly as a plot device.
However, by the end of the performance, the audience is left with a sense of profound reflection on the vulnerability that connects us all, making it a truly memorable theatrical experience.
