Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

80 years ago… a play premiered in Paris that altered our perception of reality. Now, the C.A.G.E. Theatre Company under the direction of its artistic director, Michael Hagins, presents Matthew Tiemstra, Gigi Principe, Alaina Hammond & Charlotte Vaughn Raines in Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist masterpiece NO EXIT.

Translated from the original and adapted and directed for today’s reality by MICHAEL HAGINS, the production has a limited run of Fri., July 5 & Sat., July 6 @ 8:00 pm; Sun., July 7 @ 7:00 pm and Thurs., Fri., Sat., July 11, 12, 13 @ 8:00 pm at one of NYC’s edgiest theatres, The Theater Under St. Marks, 94 St Marks Place, NYC.

Arts journeyman, Michael Hagins, transports us into Sartre’s version of Hell: A mysterious impenetrable room where individuals are trapped and forced to see themselves through the eyes of others. In this interpretation, an immersive element is added to allow the audience to join in the claustrophobic atmosphere thus making hell more than “other people” it makes it ourselves.

Gigi Principe is a graduate from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and has credits adorning her resume that start with Hamlet.

We spoke to Gigi about playing “the classics.”

What made you decide to do this play?

I was approached by both Michael and Alaina, our director and the wonderful Inez respectfully. They had asked me to play Estelle and I instantly said yes. I will never ever pass up an opportunity to work with them. Plus this play is so juicy and full of little gems that I really didn’t pick up on when I first read this play in high school. As an adult its nice to come back to material you thought you knew with a whole different perspective.     

Now, in the days of social media, avatars, and other “masks,” how has Sartre’s message stood up against the test of time? 

I believe it still holds true to this day. Simply because in every religion whether you believe in heaven and hell or not, we’re always told that when we go, its just us that goes. No social media, avatars or masks, We are the ones that go. I think the fact that Sarte wrote this play 80 years ago and here we are in the year 2024 (at the time of this being written) and it still holds true, it truly is magnificent to have such a timeless piece still hold true to this day. 

What is your creative process?

It depends on the kind of show I am in but 3 things remain true, I will make a playlist of songs for the character I am playing, I will read the source material more times that i can count, and after rehearsals are done I will take the time to decompress and watch All Elite Wrestling and just let my mind go. Throughout the process I have created a playlist for Estelle! Some standout songs for her for me are Young And Beautiful  By Lana Del Rey, Good Luck, Babe! By Chappell Roan and lots and lots of Parov Stelar! Music has always been such a big part in my life and it helps move me a lot. 

Do you feel an extra sense of responsibility in doing a piece so known; so historic? 

Oh definitely! I first was introduced to this play in high school when I was around 14/15 years old, I got to see a a part of this play acted in one my high schools senior one act nights, where the seniors of my high schools drama academy would direct a one act that they have either written or a piece of a play that’s already been written. This play has been in the back of my mind since then. It’s a sense of “Oh it’s my turn to take a crack at it do NOT screw this up” I always feel so grateful to do such historic shows like these and to play the part of Estelle, it’s a beautiful full circle that does make it feel like something is coming to an end. It makes me excited to do this show even more and see what comes of this. 

What is Hell to you? 

Having no sense of self. Having absolutely no control or autonomy to make decisions. Other people are nothing compared to the feeling of dread, worry, and anxiety of not having to answer the question “who am i” or better yet, in the context of this play it’s getting up there (or down there) and asking yourself “Who was I?” It’s scary to think about.