Director/Writer — Rylan Dean Hefner

The Answer

The Answer is an experimental journey into the absurd through music-based storytelling. Written in second person, the show is “Your” journey through the Infinite Forest looking for the answer to the question, “what will happen when the story ends?”

Music, lyrics, and book by Rylan Dean Hefner

Directed and choreographed by Rylan Dean Hefner, premiered April 9-12, 2026 in the Kander Theater

Contact Rylan for access to the performance video

“A profound meditation on what drives a story.” -The Oberlin Review

“The musical arrangements were particularly effective in propelling the story forward; nontraditional tonalities and exciting time signatures kept the show engaging.” -The Oberlin Review

“The actors demonstrated great talent and direction.” -The Oberlin Review

“It was perfectly mysterious, and I had so much fun putting the pieces together myself.” -Sassafras Magazine

Read an interview with Rylan about The Answer from Lattice Magazine.

The Experience Machine

A couple has just lost their daughter. A few months prior, a new technology was introduced that allows users to experience anything they can imagine. The Experience Machine follows the couple over the course of one year as they debate plugging into the machine to live the life they could have had.

Music, lyrics, and book by Rylan Dean Hefner

Staged reading directed by Rylan Dean Hefner, produced by Yasiel Ewing and Rylan Dean Hefner, February 7, 2025 at The Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse

Contact Rylan for access to the performance video