A Reading Series where Science is Center Stage
“Art illuminates. This is a moment for arts organizations to enlighten their audiences and contribute to a global narrative by showcasing the minds and spirits of the folks in the middle of today’s scientific breakthroughs. By commissioning BIPOC writers to create characters for these stories, we uplift people of color as leaders in the scientific community.” — Lisa A. Tromovitch, Founding Artistic Director
Season 2022 | Theme: The Climate Crisis
Two Degrees
by Tira Palmquist
Directed by Leslie A. Martinson
NOVEMBER 4, 5, 6 @ 7:00PM
Two Degrees by Tira Palmquist is about Emma Phelps, a paleoclimatologist, focusing on ice in Greenland. In drilling and studying ice core samples, she sees firsthand the symptoms of our changing planet, which makes the need to act all the more crucial and urgent. In addition to her growing sense of urgency for the planet, Emma, as a recent widow, experiences grief that compounds itself with each passing month. Now she’s been asked to come to Washington D.C. to testify in a Senate Committee regarding climate change legislation, and in this intersection of science and politics, of politics and the personal, she finds more than just a little is breaking up under the strain of change.
*CONTENT WARNING: This script contains strong language and sexual situations are implied*
Basilosaurus
The World Premier of a New Play
by Marisela Treviño Orta
Directed by Mary Ann Rodgers
NOVEMBER 18, 19, 20 @ 7:00PM
Basilosaurus is a new play written by Marisela Treviño Orta and commissioned by SPARC Theater.
While Grace, a Professor of Paleontology, examines a past climate crisis that resulted in the extinction of an apex predator, we explore what it means to stand on the precipice of great change. Other characters, artists and lawmakers, face their responsibilities and find the courage to make the changes necessary to deal with the crisis at hand.
Join us in bringing a new play into the world! Audience members will become a part of the process, giving feedback to the playwright as she continues to polish the script.
READ THE PRESS RELEASE »
View the Science@Play Program
SPARC’s Science@Play Playwright
Marisela Treviño Orta
Marisela Treviño Orta is an accidental playwright. Originally from Lockhart, Texas, she found her way to the genre while completing an MFA in Writing at the University of San Francisco (USF) where she studied poetry exclusively. While a student at USF, Marisela became the Resident Poet of El Teatro Jornalero!, a social justice theatre company comprised of Latinx immigrants.
Science@Play is partially funded by:
- California Water Service
- Alan and Mary Burnham
- Sandia National Laboratories
Make a Donation to Science@Play
All performances @SPARC Studio, 2172 Railroad Avenue. Proof of Vaccination and ID will be required upon entry to LIVE performance. Photos of vaccination cards on a mobile phone are acceptable. Masks highly recommended, but not required.