Northern Michigan University's CO/LAB COLLECTIVE presents What We Leave Behind: Addressing Climate Change Through Dance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, through Saturday, Nov. 9, at Forest Roberts Theatre.
Themed around climate change, the show will be a collaborative lecture, dance, multimedia, and live music performance. NMU's OM music group will be providing live music for the show and public relations professor Jessica Thompson will be giving a lecture about climate change and the ways it affects the environment.
“We have taken a TED Talk that Jess Thompson has been doing for 10 years and revamped it into a performance piece with integrated movement, music and technology,” said director Jill Grundstrom. “There are seven digital screens we will be projecting on that will give the audience this panoramic experience as we talk about climate change, how our planet is shifting and what we can do to help.”
The CO/LAB COLLECTIVE is a new group at NMU and consists of 34 members who have come together from all over campus to work on the show.
“This creative collective has been a goal of mine for a very long time and is so much more than a dance company,” said Grundstrom. “Dance is certainly an art that can stand alone, but is so much more impactful when partnered with other artists, creators, scientists, or entrepreneurs. We look forward to sharing our work with the community and engaging in conversations about what we will leave behind for future generations.”
An opening night party will follow the Thursday, Nov. 7 performance in the FRT lobby. The party will feature food and beverages, a photo booth and a meet and greet with the cast, crew and artistic staff.
A “Theatre for All” performance aimed at adults who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory issues will be presented at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. NMU's Department of Theatre and Dance has partnered with the Theatre Development Fund in New York City to produce this sensory-friendly performance, which features free admission made possible through private donor support.
Tickets are $17 for the general public; $12 for NMU faculty/staff, seniors, and military; $10 for students; and $5 for NMU students. Tickets are available for purchase through NMU EZ Ticket outlets.
For more information, contact dance professor Jill Grundstrom at jgrundst@nmu.edu.