Monetizing Emma: a play that marries dumb securities with Jane Austen

Man, this play called "MONETIZING EMMA," just premiered in NYC's 440 Studios (440 Lafayette Street at Astor Place) sounds like some wicked, trenchant stuff:

The year is 2013 and boutique investment bank Thackeray Walsh is arranging the first-ever securitization of smart teenagers.
Nothing like the insanely convoluted securities that brought the global economy to its knees in 2008-2009, this bond is backed by something far more valuable than sub-prime mortgages or toxic assets.
It's backed by an A-list pool of adolescents pledging their future earnings. They get money now in return for a share of their subsequent income.
Emma Dorfman's one of the chosen elite. A shy 15-year-old who most days shuttles between bullies at school, a pushy mom and a fantasy life inspired by Jane Austen, she's not exactly sure she wants to be "monetized." But Thackeray Walsh has special plans for her and Emma may be forced to trade her split reality for something doubly scary...and far more adult.

MONETIZING EMMA Plays 6/17-26 As Part Of Plant Connections Theatre Festivity

Monetizing Emma (Thanks, Dot!)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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MITTZNZ

looks awful.
Anonymous

Money to teenagers now in exchange for a slice of your later income, frequently securitized as components of public offerings? This happens now, every day as “student loans.”
Anonymous

Clever. Austen would be pride.
Capissen

The concept reminds me of my friend in high school who tried to auction the right to be his sole heir on eBay. He included his “prospectus,” future plans, GPA, etc. A little crazy, maybe, but not a bad investment, strictly speaking. eBay pulled the auction, but not before he got a couple of radio interviews out of it.
Anonymous

Thackeray Walsh was beaten by the US government and every major US bank by about 70 years. The gov of course has special legislation to null and void any rights to bankruptcy on their ‘special investment’ in the future.
adamrice

As is so often the case, reality outstrips fiction in weirdness. Lumni is a company that will finance your college education in return for taking a percentage of your income after you graduate.
mikedibenedetto

This is fantastic. One of my dearest friends and my cousin’s girlfriend directed this! I’m so happy to see Cory call it out here on BB! Yay for Leah Bonvissuto! She is such a talented director.
Anonymous

Indentured servitude.