Expanding the possibilities
of performance
Tickets on Sale: July 11th!
Photo by Aidan Searle
AWAKE & STILL DROWNING
Interdisciplinary / Participatory / Theatre
Dustin Harvey / Secret Theatre
Venue
Theatre Centre, Franco Boni Theatre
August 10, 11:00am
August 11, 10:00am
30 Minutes
Ticket Price
$15 / $30
AWAKE & STILL DROWNING is a 30-minute shared experience in VR and unsuspecting performance. It is a cautionary fable about the day Nova Scotia becomes an island, told through a combination of virtual reality and group choreography in which watching and performing signify the high cost of human migration when the exploited ocean takes back what is hers.
The experience splits the audience into two groups. The first group transforms into the protagonists, a flock of little white seabirds, performing a guided walk along a narrow landscape as directed by the VR headset, which depicts the rising ocean and disappearing shoreline. The second group waits in line, witnessing the flock without fully grasping the crisis unfolding inside the headset. Then, they join the dance, becoming part of the flock. The cycle continues until no one is left, or we must leave the venue.
Dustin Harvey, Creative Director
Dana Dansereau, Producer
Arcade XR, Digital Production
Sue Goyette, Poetry
Rich Aucoin, Music
Graeme Campbell, Audio Engineering
Millefiore Clarkes, Film Production
Aidan Searle, Graphic Design
Gus and Lia Harvey, Narration
AWAKE AND STILL DROWNING is supported by Arts Nova Scotia, Province of Nova Scotia, Canada Council For The Arts, and The National Film Board of Canada
Content Advisories for AWAKE AND STILL DROWNING:
Environmental Disaster: The narrative centers around a future where Nova Scotia is nearly submerged by rising sea levels, which may evoke feelings of anxiety or distress related to climate change and environmental destruction.
Human Migration: Themes of human displacement and migration due to environmental factors are explored, which may be triggering for individuals with experiences related to migration or displacement.
Potentially Intense Emotional Content: The project includes poetic narratives and reflective content that delve into the impact of human actions on the environment, which may be emotionally intense for some participants.
Please be advised that these themes are explored thoughtfully to raise awareness and encourage reflection on these crucial issues.
Sensory Advisories for AWAKE AND STILL DROWNING:
Virtual Reality: The experience entails wearing a VR headset, which can lead to disorientation or dizziness in some individuals.
Visual Effects: Use of immersive visual effects to simulate rising water levels and environmental changes.
Spatial Audio: The experience includes spatial audio with ocean sounds, bird chirps, and a narrative voice that can be immersive and intense.
Movement: Participants must move and follow choreographed sequences, which might be disorienting for some.
Potentially Intense Themes: The narrative explores themes of environmental disaster and human migration, which may be emotionally intense for some participants.
SummerWorks Lab programming – a place for exploration, experimentation, and process, with diverse performance works shared at crucial stages of creative development, forging connections between artists and audiences.