Robert Sindelar to Perform Monologue at West of Lenin
The theatrical show The Things You Can't Forget explores personal loss and memory.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Performance Art
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Actor and Third Place Books co-owner Robert Sindelar will perform his original monologue, The Things You Can't Forget, from November 5 to November 8, 2026. The production takes place at the West of Lenin venue in Seattle.
Why it matters
Sindelar wrote this piece to process his personal experience with his mother's seven-year battle with memory loss and her subsequent death at age 93. The project marks his return to the stage as he reflects on themes of grief and family history.
The production spans a four-day engagement, which is significantly shorter than the standard five-week runs often seen in small theater productions.
The players
Robert Sindelar
He is an actor and the co-owner of Third Place Books.
Dawson Nichols
He is the director of the theatrical monologue The Things You Can't Forget.
The details
Influenced by the style of Spalding Gray, the show relies on a minimalist setup featuring only a chair, a table, and a glass of water. Sindelar developed the work while navigating the emotions surrounding his mother's health and his own re-entry into acting.
Timeline
Sindelar worked in Seattle fringe theater during the 1990s.
Sindelar performed in Waiting for Godot on Whidbey Island in 2023.
Robert Sindelar's mother passed away in April 2025.
The Things You Can't Forget runs from November 5 to November 8, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The production adopts the minimalist stagecraft and narrative intimacy pioneered by Spalding Gray's storytelling performance style. This approach reflects a broader trend of solo theater works focusing on personal, vulnerable accounts as a primary vehicle for audience engagement.
Those interested in attending can view the performance at West of Lenin in Seattle during its brief run in November. Tickets provide access to an intimate stage work that highlights a return to acting for a familiar figure in the local bookselling community.
The takeaway
This monologue highlights how personal grief can be transformed into a structured theatrical narrative. Audience members may find insight in how the piece utilizes minimalism to focus on the complexities of memory loss.
Further reading
Learn more about the local arts scene at Seattle Performance Art.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Seattle Times.
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Do you find that creative outlets help you better process the grief of losing a parent?
