Stony Brook University
09/16/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 07:27
Science on Stage: Climate Edition coming to Staller Center Oct. 28
Climate research and researchers are the inspiration for this year's iteration of Science on Stage, a creative blend of scientific research and theater at Stony Brook University.
The event features three short, one-act plays inspired by Stony Brook research or researchers, written by professional playwrights, and performed by professional actors. This year, the event will be expanded to open with the premiere of a composition for youth chamber ensemble.
Science on Stage will begin promptly at 4 pm Monday, October. 28, at the Staller Recital Hall. Doors will open at 3:30. The performance is free and open to the public, but reservations are strongly recommended.
"The Collaborative for the Earth is all about breaking down barriers and fostering a community of creative problem solvers," said Heather Lynch, director of the Stony Brook Collaborative for the Earth, this year's sponsor, and IACS endowed chair for ecology and evolution. "What better way to stimulate these important conversations than by bringing together art, music and science in an event that all members of our Stony Brook community can enjoy."
This is the third time Science on Stage will be performed at Stony Brook. Each year, the event has shined a spotlight on different university researchers and research projects by pairing them with professional playwrights.
This year's pairings are:
- Christine Gilbert, assistant professor of climate communication, School of Communication and Journalism, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences with Kareem Fahmy, a Canadian-born, New York-based theater director, playwright and screenwriter;
- Kevin Reed, associate provost for climate and sustainability programming; professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences with Mat Smart, whose recent play about the friendship between Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass is in production around the country; and
- Elizabeth Watson, associate professor of ecology and evolution, College of Arts and Sciences with Gab Reisman, whose plays often examine issues of cultural geography and identity.
The staged readings will be directed by Logan Vaughn, an award-winning New York-based writer and director of theater and film.
Before the plays, the performance will open with the debut of a piece by Margaret Schedel, music professor, entitled "Carnival of the Endangered Animals." The piece was commissioned by Lynch with funds from the Collaborative for the Earth and her Pew Marine Conservation Fellowship. Some of Long Island's top high school musicians will be assembled specifically to perform. Inspired by Camille Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals," Schedel composed the piece in part using artificial intelligence to mimic the sounds of various endangered animals.
Science on Stage will end with a panel conversation between the playwrights and the scientists about the creative process, their collaboration and the value of these kinds of interdisciplinary projects.
The project is the brainchild of Ken Weitzman, associate professor in the English department and affiliated faculty with the Alda Center for Communicating Science and theatre arts. Weitzman has led the effort to produce Science on Stage this year, as well as the 2023and 2020iterations of the project. Last year's show was featured in the award-winning Stony Brook Magazine.
This year's production is funded by the Stony Brook Collaborative for the Earth. Additional support comes from the Alda Center for Communicating Science, the Staller Center for the Arts, and the Departments of English and Theatre Arts.