The World May Be Flat

05/31/2026

Ten years after Pulse, memorializing remains deeply complex.

I wrote The World May Be Flat to live in the space between two competing theories of remembrance: one that seeks closure and restoration, and another that accepts memory as fractured, unresolved, and evolving.

Here is a short reflection on Pulse, public memory, and the tensions that continue to shape how Orlando remembers and how that conflict shaped my writing.

When people hear the word nostalgia, they often think of sentimentality: a longing for simpler times or an attempt to revisit the past. But as Svetlana Boym argues in The Future of Nostalgia, nostalgia is far more complex than simple longing.

05/30/2026

New Play THE WORLD MAY BE FLAT Examines Pulse Aftermath at Dr. Phillips Center

THE WORLD MAY BE FLAT, a two-character drama drawn from survivor testimony, will present its world premiere at Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center as part of Pulse's 10th anniversary memorial weekend, benefiting Central Florida LGBTQ+ youth programs.

05/30/2026

My name is Chip Byers, I am a Cultural Heritage Management Graduate Student at Johns Hopkins and the Orlando-based playwright of The World May Be Flat. Commissioned for the tenth anniversary of the Pulse tragedy, this two-character drama explores memory, grief, and contested remembrance in the decad

01/26/2026

12/23/2025

Ten years ago, the Pulse nightclub shooting forever changed Orlando. Now, as we approach the 10th anniversary, it’s time to reflect not just on what was lost, but on how we continue to live and fight for our community. "The World May Be Flat" is a new memorial stage work that explores grief, memory, and resilience within Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community. This project is about survival and the ongoing struggle against erasure in a state that often seeks to silence us. We’ve secured the Dr. Phillips Center and have passionate actors ready to bring this story to life. Your support will help us cover production costs and ensure this important work reaches a wider audience. Let’s make sure this anniversary is remembered for the strength and courage of those who keep living. Please like, comment, and share this post to help us spread the word and raise the funds needed to make this happen.

Ten years ago, the Pulse nightclub shooting changed Orlando forever. Now, a decad… James Byers needs your support for Orlando's Journey: A Decade After Pulse