IM Project: Theatre in Space via an Elevator...?

Okay, I'm going to use the Space Elevator performance for my IM project, as well, I think.  I'm going to begin to structure it around generating performance for a cosmic space audience.  I can address fun things like Astrophysics, the evolution of the relationship of the human body to man's controlled and conceived surroundings,  mediated liveness, virtual reality representations of earth-borne natural environments, etc.  There's still the urge to consider the grotesque nature of human behavior, and I know that relates to space exploration in a way.  Typical instances seem like the destruction of earth and the extinction of the race.  Maybe I could propose life after death in the cosmos somehow more specifically?  There's got to be more connections to the fucked up human thing; help me out.

Thoughts about liveness

I was thinking about.

.

Wisconsin Death Trip

So I watched this documentary recently with the title of this post.  It's not a very good documentary, but it deals with this diphtheria epidemic that hit during 1890-1900.  The stories from those events were amazing, and there were two characters that I thought had to be used in a show at some point:

-The first was Mary Sweeney.  This one's amazing; short and sweet.  Basically, she's crazed from diphtheria.  All she does all the time is take lots of cocaine and smash windows.  Perfect!  Eventually, she was institutionalized for her actions.

-The other character is a woman who was a famous opera singer in Europe.  When her career began to wane, she moved to Wisconsin with her son to live in the country.  She attempts to reignite her career by staging performances for the remaining wealthy class in the area.  Very Chekhovian, right?  Get this, though.  It was said that she still had a beautiful, powerful voice, but since she lost her teeth and they had been replaced with wooden dentures, they would rattle when she sang.  Soon, with progressive downfall, she begins to hear the voices of spirits.  In an effort to entertain her delirium, her son makes a custom Ouija board for them to channel the voices.  As there stagehouse begins to crumble and leak badly, the son steals four bags of concrete to patch the roof, and he's caught and summoned to court.  At the hearing, when the mother rants and raves about spirits and anti-christian nonsense, she is institutionalized herself!  Okay, this is a good part: so, she excapes, and is said to have fled to Chicago.  Later, she pops up in a lawsuit, I believe, claiming that her neighbor is disturbing her by rehearsing his ventriloquist routine!  Apparently, she was right.

Virtual Space Reality

Just wanted to add in Alex's idea for DIY virtual reality goggles as part of this experience, as well as the thought that the "pocket universe" app for iphone, with its tracking view of the stars, may be useful as it is, or as a template for another kind of trackable space landscape (does not need to be literal) which are experienced through the goggles. The use of actual motion of the audience (i.e. in an elevator, or a "puppeteered" design studio chair--in tandem with visuals is also similar to the "virtual reality ride" experience.) Other aspects to consider including: Sound. Music. Use of space. Other Visuals. Adam Frank. Quotations. Disorientation. Discovery. Viewer control vs. Artist control. (I think the fancy word for this is "agency.) Use of existing architecture, furniture, etc. (office chair, elevator, stairs, rooms, etc.) Questions. What are our boundaries/limitations as people? How can we cross through, break through them? What are our frontiers (imagined/unknown spaces that remain to be explored.)

Group Project Evolution

And here's the short bit I wrote up for our large group performance.  I like that there's some text documenting much of the development thus far.

Sequel to Space Elevator

            Something I never got to bring up was how one of the big ideas I had for my indie performance was how this developing technology relates to theatre.  Basically, I think that developments like this reflect, in my mind, a lot to current movements, if there are any, in the theatre.  Technology is driving the aesthetic.  Video is becoming an inherent attribute of scenery.  Automation is exploding all over the place.  It’s important to be aware of these developments and to find some valid function within theatrical language for these hi-tech conventions.  Just like space elevator research, the more awareness that is provoked, the faster these things come about.  It seems worthwhile to take note of the frighteningly vast range of development that is constantly occurring all around us.

            This idea seems like it could lend itself in an obvious way to the sequel.  One thought I had was that I could get up in some variation of the space man suit, maybe it’s evolved, and give a dissertation of sorts on this unrelenting progress.  While I do that, the group could do space choreography around me.  I think there’s the potential for something much more interesting though…

            The best thing about the inspiration for my piece was the predictions of space technology that would, and could actually, develop in the future.  That could be interesting, to stage some ideas about whacky new frontiers, in space or even in theatre.  Maybe space becomes the new venue for theatre through the development of theatre technology!  It’s all pretty theatrical, really.

            I don’t want to make this too long winded because I want you guys to have a chance to read it.  This seems like a decent place to leave it to get the conversation started…

Original Script for Space Elevator Performance

I found this too!  Completely forgot about this:

Script for Performance: "Where are we going?"

1st Floor; Around corner from Freight Elevator:

Adam: Welcome and CONGRATULATIONS! In a moment, I'm going to hand you a pamphlet with some information on it. Please take a minute to look it over and reflect. (brief pause) Before that, actually, I'd like to ask you to divide yourselves into groups of four in order to prepare for your VOYAGE. If we find that we are not able to make even groups of four, then we'll just have one odd, smaller group.

( Pause for this to happen. Once everyone is settled, allow several seconds to stare at the group. Hopefully, you'll get a laugh at this point, and that might set the tone for the piece. Don't wait too long though. You have to find the thin line between random [good] and awkward [bad]. For example, don't just wait until it happens. As soon as you sense it's not going to work, wait one more second, then move on. )

Adam: Now then, (*clear throat* whisper the following to one person) would you please share these with the rest of the group? Thanks. (hand closest person pamphlets)

( Big smile. Pause for a few moments. You don't have to wait for all pamphlets to disperse. )

Adam: Once the first group is ready, if they could please step forward. (gesture to demarcation on floor [tape on floor]) Then, we'll be on our way.

( Lead the first group around the corner to the elevator, and press the "up" button. It should open right up. At this point, simply gesture for the first group to load the elevator. )

( Once the doors have closed, return to the group. )

Adam: Next! (gesture once again to the demarcation [tape] Do not wait for the elevator to return)

( When you hear the elevator ding, lead the next group around, and have them load the same way. You won't have to push the button because the doors should be open. )

( Repeat these last few steps until you get everyone on the elevator. You should only use the word "next" once the loading process begins. Between loadings, you should be silent. You can still look around at the group. Maybe your expression could show that you understand their excitement, whether they appear to be or not. )

( Make sure you're never loading more than four. Think of one of the enthusiastic voice overs from Starship Troopers for your character! )

On the Elevator:

Doors close. Hold at first floor. *clear throat* Nod towards helmets. Once helmets are on, press button for fourth floor. "Going up." Start video (video should cut off right before we reach destination [less than 40 sec]) When we stop at fourth floor, hold door closed. *clear throat* Nod in remorse to return helmets. When helmets are back in place, open door "Enjoy your stay!" Let them off. Close door. Reset. Return to first floor. When door opens, hold door for next group.

Fourth Floor, Outside Elevator:

We will at least need one group member to coral the group. Maybe all this person says is, "Feel free to take this time to make some notes." Gesture to them to go around the corner and out of sight to take notes.  I don't want those coming off the elevator to see excessive note taking.

All of this will be happening simultaneously on the two floors and in the elevator.  It should happen from 8:30am to 9:30 am.

Space Elevator Quotes

“…We loved the Science of Things.  We wished to know.  We wished to know about all the things which make the earth around us… We think there are mysteries in the sky and under the water and in the plants which grow.”

“The sky is black like a sieve pierced by silver drops that tremble, ready to burst through.”

“We have come to see how great is the unexplored, and many lifetimes will not bring us to the end of our quest.”

“The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only those who will seek them.”

“The power of the sky can be made to do men’s bidding.  There are no limits to its secrets and its might, and it can be made to grant us anything if we but choose to ask.”

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

“The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.”

“Man is most himself when he…challenges the very laws of the universe.”

"So you do have an invisible wire. Clever - but what use is it, except for parlour tricks?"

"Fascinating ... I can appreciate that this may have all sorts of technical applications. It would make a splendid cheese cutter."

“Active research is ongoing worldwide, with efforts at: Carbon Designs, NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts, MIT, European Space Society, International Space University, Virgin Galactic, [and others.]”