Kafka’s “Amerika” Returns to Atwater Village Theatre

Acclaimed adaptation of Kafka’s surreal coming-of-age tale to run for six weeks.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Dietrich Smith’s acclaimed adaptation of Franz Kafka’s “Amerika or, The Man Who Disappeared” will return to the Atwater Village Theatre stage in Los Angeles for a limited six-week run from March 28 through May 3. The production, a collaboration between Open Fist Theatre Company and Circle X Theatre Company, features playful animation, an immersive soundscape, and a visually striking set design to bring Kafka’s surreal, darkly comic coming-of-age story to life.

Why it matters

Kafka’s “Amerika” is a seminal work of 20th century literature that has rarely been adapted for the stage. This production aims to capture the novel’s unique blend of youthful energy, unexpected humor, and unsettling allegory of modern life, offering audiences a fresh and immersive theatrical experience.

The details

The play follows 17-year-old Karl Rossmann as he navigates a series of strange and bewildering misadventures after being banished from Germany and arriving in New York City. The production features creative elements like animated sequences, an immersive soundscape, and a visually striking set design to heighten the play’s off-kilter world. The cast is led by Oqalile Tshetshe as Karl, with a supporting ensemble that includes both returning and new performers.

  • The limited six-week run of “Amerika or, The Man Who Disappeared” will take place from March 28 through May 3, 2026.
  • Performances will be held on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., with an additional performance on Monday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The players

Dietrich Smith

The playwright who adapted Franz Kafka’s novel “Amerika or, The Man Who Disappeared” for the stage.

Open Fist Theatre Company

A collective, self-producing artistic enterprise that is co-producing the play, with all facets of its operation run by its artist members under the leadership of artistic director Martha Demson.

Circle X Theatre Company

A theatre company dedicated to highly provocative, boldly theatrical productions of new and rarely-seen plays, co-producing the play and stewarded by executive director Tim Wright and artistic director Jen Kays.

Oqalile Tshetshe

The actor who will be stepping into the lead role of Karl Rossmann for this return engagement of the play.

John R. Dilworth

The creator of “Courage the Cowardly Dog” who is providing the playful animation sequences for the production.

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What’s next

Tickets for the six-week run of “Amerika or, The Man Who Disappeared” at the Atwater Village Theatre are on sale now, ranging from $26 to $45.

The takeaway

This production of Kafka’s seminal work “Amerika” promises to offer a fresh and immersive theatrical experience, blending the novel’s surreal, darkly comic tone with innovative visual and aural elements to bring the story to life in a bold and imaginative way.