Mosaic Theater Company presents the world premiere of Precarious, a new comedy by Steinberg Award-winner Steph Del Rosso. Directed by Jaki Bradley^, performances run June 4 – 28, at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.  Offering reflections on the climate crisis and generational divides, Pre carious stars the acclaimed Kimberly Schraf* as recently retired Vi, who is ready to chart a new path forward. But her daughter Tillie, portrayed by Helen Hayes winner Zoe Walpole*, and a summer heatwave seemingly stand in her way. Jonathan Del Palmer* rounds out the cast as Tillie’s boyfriend Drew as the production navigates the complexity of familial relationships and what we choose to leave behind in a world transformed by climate change. “I first encountered Steph Del Rosso’s work almost a decade ago when she was a Master’s student at UCSD and became an instant fan of her artistry, wit, and craft. She has gone on to build an impressive, growing canon of plays developed and produced around the country which makes this world premiere production especially poignant for me and impactful for Mosaic as we offer this celebrated writer her DC debut,” said Reginald L. Douglas, Artistic Director of Mosaic Theater. “Precarious is a play that reflects upon our ongoing climate crisis in a human and hilarious way as we watch two women from different generations and with different points of view find common ground. New work that sparks inspiring dialogue in the face of difference is at the core of Mosaic’s mission, making Precarious a wonderful culminating production for our 25/26 season. I can’t wait for audiences to join us this summer for this fresh and thoughtful new comedy about the joy and fear of starting a new chapter at any age.” “I couldn’t be more thrilled to premiere Precarious at Mosaic — which has been such a champion of me and my work — and with Jaki Bradley, one of my dear friends and a brilliant collaborator,” remarked Steph Del Rosso. “I wrote the first draft of this play at an artist residency called Headlands, in the middle of a national recreation area just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I thought a lot about the beauty of the landscape and how much it might change in years to come — from the sea levels to the habitats. I thought about what we pass on to future generations, including the traits and habits (good and bad) that get carried from mother to daughter. And about what (and who) gets lost. There is so much attention on the milestones of youth, but what about the journeys of women over 70, facing a different kind of self-discovery? I wanted to combine these preoccupations and also create a meaty role for an older actress. I can’t wait to share it all with the DC community.” In December 2024, Mosaic Theater hosted a developmental workshop and reading of Precarious as part of its Community Engaged Theater Fund. This fund supports the development of new work that brings artists and community members together in the creative process and furthers conversations on social justice, racial diversity, and the importance of community. Partner organizations working on the front lines of the themes presented in the play — including local environmental organizations EmpowerDC, The GW Climate Health Institute, The Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center for Climate Integrity at Howard University, and WE ACT – For Environmental Justice — attended that reading and offered insightful feedback that has helped shape the script towards this premiere production. Director Jaki Bradley stated: “I’ve loved Steph’s play since the moment I read it. As a director, I’m always drawn to plays that have a singular voice, and Precarious is just that. Steph has the rare ability as a writer to address issues we all care about — issues as big as motherhood and environmentalism — in a way that doesn’t feel didactic at all, and instead is filled with humor, humanity, and heart. I recognize myself in this play, and I think it’ll speak to anyone who is trying to figure out how to live an ethical life in the modern era. I’m thrilled to be directing this world premiere production and feel like Mosaic is the perfect home for Precarious.” The creative and production team for Precarious includes Misha Kachman** (Scenic Designer); Jeannette Christensen** (Costume Designer); Minjoo Kim** (Lighting Designer); Kenny Neal (Sound Designer); Aoife Creighton (Props Designer); Shayna O’Neill* (Production Stage Manager); Isabella Tapia (Assistant Stage Manager); and Sierra Young (Intimacy and Violence Director). Continuing Mosaic’s commitment to provide deeper engagement with themes of its programming through its Reflection Series, the following events will take place during Precarious’ engagement: Artist Talkback with Stephanie Del Rosso June 6, 2026 at 7:30 pm | Atlas Performing Arts Center Curious about what went into the making of Precarious? Come join playwright Stephanie Del Rosso to hear about the process behind the production and her artistic practice. Intergenerational Matinees June 11 and 18, 2026 at 11 am | Atlas Performing Arts Center After watching Precarious together, middle and high school students and seniors will engage in a post-show conversation with Mosaic’s artists and one another. It’s Too-Hot Girl Summer: A Climate Conversation June 12, 2026 at 7:30 pm | Atlas Performing Arts Center Precarious depicts climate change’s impact on every part of our lives — from large-scale events to our most intimate relationships. Join Mosaic alongside local climate workers and experts to dive into what a warming climate might mean for our city and for our lives within it. Aging and Isolation June 14, 2026 at 7:30 pm | Atlas Performing Arts Center Retirement brings major life changes: among them, an increased feeling of loneliness as long-time homes are moved away from, partners pass, and more. Precarious shows Violet in the midst of a loneliness crisis brought on by this new era of life. Join some of Mosaic’s long-term senior support partners, including Seabury Resources for Aging, to dive into the whys behind this senior loneliness crisis and how we can best support these communities. Open Captioned Performance June 27, 2026 at 7:30 pm | Atlas Performing Arts Center Interpreted Artist Talkback with the Cast of Precarious June 28, 2026 at 3:00 pm | Atlas Performing Arts Center Curious about what went into the making of Precarious? Come join the cast to learn more about the making of the show and their unique connections to the work. This performance is open captioned and the talkback following is ASL interpreted. *Actors’ Equity Association / ^Stage Directors and Choreographers Society / **United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE ABOUT THE ARTISTS  Steph Del Rosso (Playwright) is a playwright, fiction writer, screenwriter, and educator. She is a MacDowell Fellow, a Core Writer at the Playwrights’ Center, and a winner of the Steinberg Playwright Award and the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Award. Her plays have been produced nationally and internationally and include Precarious, 53% Of (Second Stage Theater), The Gradient (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill (The Flea), Adjuncts, Damage Control, and more. They are published by Concord Theatricals and Dramatists Play Services. Steph is a current Resident Artist at the cell, a former Theater Masters Visionary Playwright and an alum of the Shank Playwriting Fellowship at The Public, the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, Clubbed Thumb’s Early Career Writers’ Group, and the New Georges Audrey Residency. Her work has received fellowships, development, and support from the Bogliasco Foundation, Headlands Center for the Arts, La Jolla Playhouse, Ojai Playwrights’ Conference, the Kennedy Center, Alliance Theatre, Studio Theatre, and others. She is the winner of the Mississippi Review Prize in Fiction and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Steph received her MFA from UC-San Diego and currently teaches Playwriting to middle and high school students at the Saint Ann’s School. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her family. Jaki Bradley (Director) is a writer and director for theater, TV, and film.  Most recently she directed All Nighter at MCC produced by Runyonland, Soto Productions, and Ben Platt. She has directed at theaters across the country, including Berkeley Repertory Theater, New York Theater Workshop, Ars Nova, New York Stage and Film, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Denver Center and Clubbed Thumb, Williamstown, Soho Rep, the O’Neill, and Arena Stage.  Other live events include DiscOasis, an immersive roller disco curated by Nile Rodgers in Central Park, and Expecto Patronum at Harry Potter World in Universal Studios Osaka. In audio, Jaki directed Treat starring Kiernan Shipka (nominee, Ambie for Best Fiction Podcast) and Song of the Northwoods for Audible (2022 Best of the Year List). Jaki’s short film Chow starring Ben Platt screened at San Francisco (nominee, Golden Gate award), Beverly Hills, Lower East Side, and Chicago Horror Film Festivals, among others. Previous shorts Spa Day and The Big Ask screened at Palm Springs, Overlook, Indie Street and CHAIN (winner, Best Director).  With Kevin Armento, Jaki has written screenplays for Netflix, Paramount, AGBO, Department M, Wonderland, Scott Free and sold an original horror series to FX. Jaki and Kevin’s debut screenplay, Detox, made the 2019 HIT List and Blood List.  Jaki has been a member of the Civilians RD Group, an Artist-in-Residence at Ars Nova, a Drama League Artist-in-Residence and TV/Film Fellow, a member of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, the Williamstown Directing Corps, Lincoln Center Director’s Lab, New York Stage and Film Screenwriters Lab and a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Proud member of the Writer’s Guild of America and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.   Kimberly Schraf (Vi) has been a proud member of DC’s theater community for over 30 years, appearing on most area stages. She’s delighted to return to Mosaic — where she appeared in Oh, God! and Vicuna: an Epilogue — for Precarious in 2026. Favorite productions include Death of a Salesman and The Laramie Project at Ford’s, Ah! Wilderness and The Women at Arena, Skylight, Crestfall, and The Apple Family Plays at Studio, A Prayer for Owen Meany and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at Round House, The Gigli Concert and Measure for Pleasure at Woolly Mammoth and Pipeline at Everyman, as well as three area productions of Our Town. She teaches acting at Georgetown University and the Theatre Lab. Zoe Walpole (Tillie, she/her) was last seen at Mosaic in Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies. DC-area credits include Agnes of God (Factory 449, Helen Hayes Award – Outstanding Supporting Performer), Elaine May’s Adult Entertainment (The Klunch), and The Member of the Wedding (1st Stage). She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she is a company member at the Echo Theater and City Garage. Jonathan Del Palmer (Drew; he/him) is an actor, dancer, and writer from Houston, TX that has called this area home again for the past 8 years. Select DC-area credits include: The Lake Effect, The Rainmaker, and columbinus at 1st Stage, The Winter’s Tale and Julius X at Folger Theatre, Kim’s Convenience at Olney Theatre, Day of Absence at Theater Alliance, Kill Move Paradise at Rep Stage, and Tempestuous Elements at Arena Stage. Jonathan is a proud graduate and faculty member of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Thank you for supporting the arts. Precarious, presented by Mosaic Theater Company, runs June 4-28, 2026, in the Sprenger Theatre at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002. Performances are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m. (except for June 6); Sundays at 3 p.m.; Intergenerational Matinees: June 11 and 18 at 11 a.m. Tickets range from $42-$70; purchase online or call the box office at 202.399.7993. Discounts Rush Tickets: A limited number of $30 rush tickets are available via walk-up cash purchase at the box office beginning one hour before the start of each performance. Cash preferred. Senior Rate (65+): Save 10% with code: SENIOR Student Rate: $20 tickets with code: STUDENT Educator Rate: $20 tickets with code: EDUCATOR Military and First Responder Rate: Save 10% with code: HERO Under 30: Patrons 30 and younger can access $25 tickets to Mosaic mainstage performances. Use code UNDER30. Restrictions: One ticket per order. Discount is available on the weekend matinees.        ABOUT MOSAIC THEATER COMPANY OF DC Mosaic Theater Company of DC produces bold, culturally diverse theater that illuminates critical issues, elevates fresh voices, and sparks connection among communities throughout our region and beyond. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Reginald L. Douglas and Managing Director Serge Seiden, Mosaic produces plays that both entertain and enlighten, using art to build empathy amongst diverse people united by the magic of theater, and hopes to build community by reflecting the many cultures that call DC home.  ...read more read less