NEW ORLEANS
WHAT THE GULF NEEDS NOW
See 5 interactive experiences over 4 shows, brought to us by a range of New Orleans’ artists and environmental organizations
5 Different local environmental organizations sign on, each creating a different interactive experience for each performance of the show. They were:
A treasure trove of deep water gulf fish.
A listening session on climate grief.
A dance party with gulf sea creatures.
A movement experience where YOU become water.
A drawing exercise about recycling glass.
Goal 𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Help audiences understand the interconnected waterways of Houston and the human-made threats to its ecosystems.
Process 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
As a city below sea-level on the front lines of climate change, New Orleans is teeming with water activists and environmental groups. When we began reaching out, there was a lot of interest – and a lot of difficulty trying to bring them together to create NEW experiences. We quickly realized that most of the organizations already HAD readymade interactive content to share. And so for New Orleans, we pivoted to inviting 4 groups (which quickly turned into 5!) to present intermission activities.
In two cases, groups used this opportunity as a chance to develop new interactive material.
Water Map New Orleans / Bulbancha created a movement experience that allowed the audience to travel up to the second floor and back again, experiencing water phenomenon such as evaporation, transpiration and currents.
The New Orleans Center for the Gulf South collaborated with Mélange Dance, musician Peter Bowling and performer Antonio Garza to create a deep sea dance party, where audience members were guided through dance oves models after sea creatures in the Gulf.
Glass Roots developed a drawing / coloring activity that allowed audience members to imagine the recycled glass rebuilding vital coastal wetlands.
Two organizations brought existing exhibits and activities:
Atelier de la Nature brought its treasure trove of deep sea Gulf fish specimens, which audience members were invited to hold, examine and draw.
Sustaining All Life held mini-listening sessions; audience members could approach members of their teams and talk about the ways they are experiencing climate grief.
Partners 𓇢𓆸
Watermap New Orleans / Bulbancha, Sustaining All Life, New Orleans Center for the Gulf South, Atelier de la Nature, Glass Roots, Mélange Dance
In addition to the local stations, PearlDamour co-organized the Gulf Coast Climate Justice Artist and Cultural Organizer Convening, which took place during the weekend of our run of our show. Here is an overview of the activities of that convening.
Magical Moments During our Process
☁︎
Magical Moments During our Process ☁︎
☁︎ The moment when Aron from Water Map New Orleans said “And then audiences will evaporate while they are moving up in the elevator…”
☁︎ The moment when Jamie, our tech director, said “would it be OK with you all if I hung one of my deep sea disco ball fish in the lobby during intermission?” (Yes, the tech director in New Orleans just happens to make disco ball fish!)
Budget ༄
RICE University sponsored one of the more complex stations with a budget of $1500. PearlDamour scaled honorariums for the other organizations according to need and complexity, ranging from 0-$400 dollars each.