The introduction of an AI that can wrtie transcripts imitating dead loved ones has stirred great controversy. Reanimating Echos – a company that implements this software through actors – are in the headlines again. Their questionable labor practices and murky customer retention strategies are just the newest aspects that they’re under fire for. Telling the story from the perspective of an actor for Reanimating Echos, Playing Dead portrays an intimate look at the existential questions spurred by the existence of such technology. Through the use of pre-recorded videos, podcasts and live performance, the audience are engaged to ask questions surrounding whether this technology should override ethics, grief and addiction.