The ZUM.png
The ZUM.png

The Z.U.M.

$16.00

by Jaden Alvaro Gines

Play, 1m 2nb

Following a financial emergency back at home, Ash, a genderqueer 18 year old with an affinity for makeup, is sleeping in their car and starting work at some Zumiez in some mall in some middle-class middle of nowhere. Here they meet Ez, the assistant manager of the Zumiez and an aspiring rave musician, who also knows a thing or two about makeup. As they grow closer and learn that their store is under threat of closing, Ez and Ash hatch a scheme to throw a rave in the store and save both of their jobs. But, as the two grow closer and tensions rise, they must grapple with their dreams, living versus survival, and how much one is willing to give in order to see their dreams come true — even at the expense of themselves and the ones they love. Jaden Alvaro Gines's THE Z.U.M explores queer identity in a world where it pays to assimilate, asking the question: how can we truly survive if we aren't really living?

by Jaden Alvaro Gines

Play, 1m 2nb

Following a financial emergency back at home, Ash, a genderqueer 18 year old with an affinity for makeup, is sleeping in their car and starting work at some Zumiez in some mall in some middle-class middle of nowhere. Here they meet Ez, the assistant manager of the Zumiez and an aspiring rave musician, who also knows a thing or two about makeup. As they grow closer and learn that their store is under threat of closing, Ez and Ash hatch a scheme to throw a rave in the store and save both of their jobs. But, as the two grow closer and tensions rise, they must grapple with their dreams, living versus survival, and how much one is willing to give in order to see their dreams come true — even at the expense of themselves and the ones they love. Jaden Alvaro Gines's THE Z.U.M explores queer identity in a world where it pays to assimilate, asking the question: how can we truly survive if we aren't really living?

About the Author

Jaden Alvaro Gines (they/them) is a Genderqueer, Latino playwright, author, and musician from working class New Jersey. Their work focuses heavily on the issues plaguing middle class America, touching on topics such as economic strife, the American dream, Trans and Queer bodies, and the attempt at life as an everyday working person. They attempt to reflect the people from their communities that would otherwise be forgotten in the theater world, and produce work that has been put to the side in the craft in recent years. Most recently, their play The Z.U.M. was presented in Philadelphia through The Lemonade Stand in December, after being named a semi-finalist for the 2025 Eugene O’Neill Center National Playwrights Conference. Their work has been produced by the Elif Collective, The Strides Collective, Kitchen Sink Theatre Company, Theatermania.com, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Temple University, and they have had the pleasure of collaborating with other fine artists and collectives in and around Philadelphia and New York. Honors; 2024 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway award nominee. jadenalvarogines.org