End to begin: Interactive stage production addressing the state and future of our planet

In this era, we face farewells to entire species, seasons, places, and cherished experiences. Yet, a Yale study shows that roughly two-thirds of the US population seldom discusses the climate crisis. While we don’t have exact data on other parts of the world yet, this insight made Benedikt, who has written and directs the play, realize that we lack a structured way to process this profound loss. This realization inspired her to think about what it would take to create a mechanism to meet this need.

Consequently, she created a captivating interactive piece involving four actors, two dancers, and an opera singer who invite the audience to collectively recognize what's gone, ponder fears and hopes, and find tangible hope and a positive vision for the future. IIASA scientists Elena Rovenskaya and Adriano Vinca provided scientific input.

Plot

What did people around 2025 think, know, do, fear, and hope for? This is precisely what people in the year 2075 want to understand so they can comprehend why they live the way they do. Therefore, they send a scientist, a philosopher, a diplomat, an activist, and three masters of ceremonies back to Vienna around the turn of the quarter-century. Their mission is to explore with the audience, among other things, the three Kantian questions in an adapted form: What should we know? What can we do? What may we hope for?

IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber supports their mission as an Ambassador to the Future Generation, providing insights during the third Act.

After the school performances, prominent science journalists together with IIASA scientists Fabian Wagner, Adriano Vinca, and Caroline Zimm will have a discussion with the students. 

If you would like to attend the evening performance on 29 January 2226 at 19:30 CET

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If you are a teacher and would like to attend with school classes:

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* Please note that the play will be in German