This is Drama Masks, a Bay Area performing arts column from a born San Franciscan and longtime theatre artist in an N95 mask. With each passing day, I’m increasingly glad that AI hasn’t invaded theatre the way it has other media. As I write this, I’ve recently finished reading Tim’s latest piece about the Wiener campaign resorting to racist, misogynist, elitist AI slop to attack Connie Chan. Whereas that previous campaign used a combo of old media machinations and social media skullduggery, Wiener’s new AI oligarch pals have streamlined his propaganda down to a single cruel prompt. Newton’s piece amalgamates elements of dance, chorus, and Japanese Noh theatre (with members of SF Theatre of Yugen popping up in both the chorus and ensemble).