During the pandemic-disrupted 2020/2021 theatre season, Artists Rep and The Actors Conservatory shifted focus to theatre works adapted into digital mediums, and co-produced a new audio drama starring 2nd-Year Conservatory students. This 70-minute audio drama was written specifically for seven students by acclaimed playwright Diana Burbano, and directed by ART Executive Artistic Director Dmaso Rodrguez. Award-winning sound designer Rodolfo Ortega (ARTs Magellanica) has created a cinematic soundscape and original score for the piece. Titled THE VERTICAL CITY, the audio drama is a character study set in a future-Portland built to survive the effects of climate change, and imagines how technology might evolve society at the end of the 21st century, both for better and worse.