Where does humanity stand in the face of a rapidly changing climate, increasing pollution problems, and an uncertain future? PearlDamour's work Ocean Filibuster explores these very questions. is. This tongue-in-cheek critical piece was performed at Kingsbury Hall last Saturday, March 23rd, in partnership with Utah Presents.
Actor Jen Kidwell plays Mr. Majority and Ocean, two characters at war. The performance begins with the World Senate Leader Majority's proposed bill to shrink the ocean and divide it into his seven more manageable bodies of water. However, shortly after the bill was proposed, Ocean appeared in human form and filibustered the bill.
Kidwell will accompany and perform in the show, but the cast also includes an ensemble of local talent. The ensemble for this performance was made up of students from the university's musical theater department. Combining large-scale projections, singing, and audience interaction, the show was extremely unique, engaging, and educational.
performance
The one-man nature of this show clearly expressed the connection between humans and the ocean. Still, Kimbal's energetic performance reinforced the confusing and often contradictory beliefs that exist within humans about the world around them.
The show felt like it was designed to encourage introspection. It was a great performance to watch Kimbal argue with himself in every scene of Ocean and Mr. Majority. Although she disagreed, she sought to encourage consideration of the internal inconsistencies that inherently exist within humans. We plan for the future in the name of progress and move as if time is running out, but what about appreciating the here and now?
“We are the process,” a cast member said in one of their final lines. This is a reminder that we are as much a part of the ocean as the plants and fish that live within it.
This exploration of interconnectivity, combined with projections that visually represent marine systems, resulted in an engaging educational experience. The show gave viewers a solid understanding of the oceans from the smallest to the largest levels with videos of microorganisms that live all over the world, from the ocean to our airways. It also helped us understand exactly what humans must fight for in order to build a more sustainable future.
interactive break time
The most unique part of this show was the immersive intermission. To tailor the performance to the environment in which it takes place, the show uses downtime to explore site-specific challenges related to water. Naturally, this break included an educational opportunity about the Great Salt Lake.
One table had information about the American white pelican. In the past, nearly 20,000 pelicans occupied the island, but these pelicans have recently left their breeding grounds on Gunnison Island. Increased traffic to the island by predators and humans, as well as the effects of lower water levels in the Great Salt Lake, have people wondering if these pelicans will ever return.
Another station during the break used an augmented reality app called Deep Wonder on free iPads. Using this app, participants were able to explore and learn about parts of the ocean floor. The 15 minute break wasn't enough time to check out each station, but each one was interactive and informative in some way.
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