Between 2017 and 2021, three near-identical comedy specials about depression by white cis male alternative comedians were released on major streamers. I tried to make one myself.

Depression Special is a collage-chaos drag play that rearranges audio from HBO comedy specials about depression to explore their shadow narratives of masculinity, commercialism, and white supremacy in the comedy world and beyond. Performed by drag king Matt Strife.

Development History:

Aces Wild Solo Play Festival, The Spade Collective

February 22-24, 2024

Photo: Marcus Maddox