Weather Girl

Ella Olesen stars as a California weather reporter in Brian Watkins’ dark comedy about climate change, public optimism, and the pressure to remain upbeat as environmental conditions worsen.

Set in Fresno, the play follows a weather girl attempting to deliver forecasts about a climate-stricken planet while maintaining a cheerful on-air persona. As the story develops, that public image begins to give way to something more volatile beneath the surface.

Written by Brian Watkins, the play was named one of The New York Times’ Best Plays of 2025. The production examines climate anxiety and American culture through the perspective of a television weather reporter trying to make sense of increasingly extreme conditions.