ASU students to participate in international Climate Change Theatre Action event

On Nov. 14, students from Arizona State University will participate in one of 211 events across 38 countries aimed at addressing climate change through theater.

Climate Change Theatre Action is a worldwide series of readings and performances of short climate change plays presented biennially in support of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP meetings). In the U.S., 132 events will take place in 96 cities across 45 states. ASU is part of the action in promoting this awareness through the power of storytelling and demonstration of science. Acting students in the School of Film, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts will offer three staged readings.

Each play is matched with a scientist/researcher from ASU’s Biodesign Institute in order to illuminate the material and their related research. Masavi Perea, executive director of CHISPA and a local leader for climate change awareness, will be attending the event. The staged readings will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Biodesign Institute auditorium. For more information, visit climatechangetheatreaction.com/arizona-state-university/.  

The plays include:

“Homo Sapiens”
Did homo sapiens cause their own demise, or evolve into the next species? 
Written by Québécois Chantal BilodeauDirected by Rachelle Dart
Featuring Corey Reynolds and Jillian Walker, partnered with scientists Carlo Maley and Athena Aktipis

“Penguins”
Penguins spy on scientists in a comical interpretation told from the penguins’ view. 
Written by graduate of the University of Queensland Elspeth Tilley
Directed by Professor Sandra Crews
Featuring Johnathan Gonzales, Victor Arevalo, Nick Freitas, Caroline Householder and Tara Scanlon, partnered with scientist Arvind Varsani

“Single Use”
Two characters stumble through an awkward first date, discovering their values clearly do not align.
Written by Jamaican born and Canadian raised Marcia Johnson
Directed by Professor Micha Espinosa
Featuring Fay Schneider and Dirk Fenstermacher, partnered with scientist Charles Rolsky