Discuss Arts and Climate with Pulitzer-Nominated Playwright and former New Zealand PM

Before Boston Lyric Opera’s world premiere of The Seasons debuts at the Paramount, the Emerson College community is invited to a thought-provoking discussion on climate and the arts with the show’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright and the former Prime Minister of New Zealand.

ArtsEmerson will present a conversation with award-winning playwright, poet, and Fresh Sound Resident Artist Sarah Ruhl and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday, February 25, at the Semel Theater. Later in the semester, Emerson community members will also have exclusive access to two dress rehearsals of The Seasons.

The Fresh Sound Artist in Residence is an annual program that connects master artists with students and faculty in the Emerson community, as well as the broader Boston community. The Residency is made possible through the generous support of The Fresh Sound Foundation. The February 25 discussion will be moderated by Performing Arts Senior Distinguished Artist-in-Residence P. Carl.

Interim Executive Director of Office of the Arts Ronee Penoi is excited about the discussion, as well as the exclusive dress rehearsals that will include BLO’s full orchestra and incredible bubble technology never seen before.

Yes, bubble technology.

“We have a really unique moment to have some voices really provide expertise, context and hope in this moment in how we can navigate our climate crisis,” said Penoi, who is also ArtsEmerson’s Director of Artistic Programming. “Art is a provocation for conversation, and civic transformation.”  

Ardern has stated that climate change was her “generation’s nuclear-free moment.” She has been outspoken about the issue, and was integral in getting cross-party support for the passage of New Zealand’s Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act.

The Seasons is inspired by 18^th-century Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi’s best-known work, The Four Seasons, which gives musical expression to each season of the year. Co-conceived by Ruhl and countertenor and cast member Anthony Roth Costanzo, the show is set in a near future in which the seasons seem out of order.

Penoi said The Seasons takes something old and beloved and reexamines and utilizes Vivaldi’s work to see things in creative ways. “That’s so much what the arts allow us to do — to come at challenges in a different way,” said Penoi.

Keeping the show’s theme in mind, the creators wanted to include sustainability with the set design. They collaborated with MIT student and bubble engineer Jack Forman, who created bubbles in different shapes and sizes that emerge from the top of the stage to the floor. Some performers even enter the bubbles.

Penoi hopes the discussion and show will inspire civic transformation, and lead people to get involved. She cited two opportunities: through the Stone Living Lab, which is working on climate adaptation, coastal resilience, and ecological restoration; and through work with Boston’s city leadership on their climate justice efforts.

The discussion, The Whole Story: Climate Change and the Arts, will be moderated by Performing Arts Senior Distinguished Artist-in-Residence P. Carl on February 25 at 7:30 pm. Please RSVP .

ArtsEmerson is offering the two dress rehearsals of The Seasons for the Emerson community on March 7 and 10. Please RSVP to the March 7, 7:00 pm dress rehearsal and/or RSVP to the March 10 dress rehearsal at 7:30 pm.