A dancer who can’t dance spends days wrapped in a bed sheet. A woman and a doctor dig into a troubled past. A man alone wrestles with desire. A stranger carries the weight of a life shaped by war.

With piercing grace, this world premiere follows five lives—intersecting across war zones, bedrooms, and therapy sessions—as they navigate the fragile space between devastation and hope. Each encounter leaves an imprint, drawing a shifting map of connection, disconnection, and the relentless search for healing.

Written by Catherine Yu, In Spite of My Ambivalence is a poetic, unflinching exploration of how we process trauma, how we love in its shadow, and how survival is rarely a straight path.

COMMUNITY ENGAEMENT EVENTS

“How to Be Injured” Workshop - June 1, 7pm to 9pm at the Tula Arts Center | Hosted by Atlanta Dance Medicine
Despite all the work performers do to prevent injuries, they still happen. Join us for a FREE workshop to build the skills necessary for managing injuries once they occur. Perfect for dancers, actors and all movers -- learn how to self- manage minor issues, how to navigate the healthcare system when needed, how to communicate your injury needs to employers/teams/choreographers, how to grapple with the mental and emotional aspects of injury, and more. RSVP here. Tula is located at 75 Bennett St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309-1282

Playwrights Unfiltered: Own Your Voice, Make Your Mark Panel - June 4, 9:30-10:15 pm (following the 8 pm show) at Synchronicity | Co-Hosted by East by SouthEast
A candid conversation on what really happens when playwrights step into the room: how they maintain their voice and creative control, navigate expectations around cultural perspective, and get their work in front of audiences near and far. RSVP here.

Stanford Alumni Night - June 11, 8 pm performance at Synchronicity
We’re inviting all Stanford alumni to come together for a special outing to celebrate playwright and fellow alum Catherine Yu.

Mental Health Panel - June 12, 9:30-10:15 pm (following the 8 pm show) at Synchronicity | Co-Hosted by AAPI P.E.A.C.E. and East by SouthEast
This panel will unpack the ways trauma shapes identity, relationships, and human behavior while creating space for meaningful dialogue and reflection. Join us for an in-depth conversation exploring mental health, PTSD, and the lasting impact of trauma, and how these themes come to life in In Spite of My Ambivalence.

Our brilliant set of panelists include: Alex Allen (Psychotherapy Collective of Atlanta), Dr. Cayla Leung (PEACE Clinician & Licensed Clinical Psychologist), Dr. Daun Kwag (PEACE Board Member and Assistant Professor at Agnes Scott), and Summer Huni (Soul Healing Counseling).

Dance Wellness Panel: Relearning the Body - June 14, 6:30-7:15 pm (following the 5 pm show) at Synchronicity | Co-Hosted by Atlanta Dance Medicine
For dancers, the body is both instrument and identity. This panel explores what happens when that relationship shifts and how artists navigate the tension between control, vulnerability, and self-perception. We have an amazing set of panelists, including Emma Faulkner (Physical Therapist and Co-Founder of Atlanta Dance Medicine), Kerry Lee (Co-Artistic Director of Atlanta Chinese Dance Company), Dr. Nadine Kaslow (Psychologist at Atlanta Ballet & Professor at Emory University) & Meaghan Novoa (Choreographer). RSVP here.