haters gonna hate
Written by Justin Borak
Directed by JuJu Jaworski
April 2–4, 2026
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
About The Play
The hatred that fuels our youth burns quietly in a high school basement somewhere in middle America. haters gonna hate follows a high school girl, Cel, as she invites all of her suitors to her finished basement to put them through a set of trials with the prize of her hand (at prom). An exploration of how we as youth expel and deal with our anger, pain, and hurt all wrapped up in a kinda adaption of The Misanthrope by Moliére.
About The Creative Team
Justin Borak is a Lebanese-American playwright based out of New York City. His work has been developed by Noor Theatre, Playhouse on the Square, Gideon Theatricals, and West Virginia Public Theatre. He's a member of New York Theatre Workshop's SWANA Writer's Co-Op and a resident company member and playwright with Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival. Justin was recently named a semifinalist for the Eugene O'Neil NPC Award, a finalist for the Lanford Wilson 2025 New American Play Prize and is the recipient for the Broadway Licensing New Works Grant. He is currently a fellow at the 2026 Sewanee Writers' Conference and an Artist-in-Residence with Skeleton Rep in Harlem and Community Playhouse in Bloomington, IL. He is published through Concord Theatricals and Playscripts. MFA West Virginia University. Instagram: @justinborak. Website: justinborak.com.
JuJu Jaworski is a director & writer, based in New York City. She has directed at organizations such as the National Alliance of Musical Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Classic Stage Company, Ars Nova, North Shore Music Theatre, and Edinburgh Fringe. Selected Credits: Director: The (Disaster) Marathon of 1904 (NAMT), Parking Spot! (EdFringe), Tea With G (TheaterNowNY), SCOUTS (Fordham University). Associate/Assistant Director: The Snow Goose (Goodspeed), Marcel On The Train (CSC), NIKOLA (Workshop), Fountain (Workshop). Upcoming: Loch Ness (Two River Theater), NIKOLA (Arena Stage). Playwright of HOMESICK, in development. BA: Directing, Fordham University. jujujaworski.com