THIS SINKING ISLAND
Set in a landscape of repurposed material, This Sinking Island uses movement and live music to tell the story of a family who must leave all they've ever known in search of a new home. Crafted with sea level rise science and climate refugee testimony, this performance builds a bridge between understanding climate science and imagining a better and more just future.
THE TEAM
Devised by The Anthropologists
Written & Directed by Melissa Moschitto
Original Songs by Mariah Freda
Dramaturgy by Lynde Rosario
Visual Design: Irina Kuraeva
2018 Team
Performances by:
Kimberly Gómez, Arisael Rivera*, Katherine O’Sullivan*, Arden Winant* *Actors’ Equity
Stage Manager / Community Engagement: Tiffany McCue
Project Manager: Dara Epstein
Spanish Language Interpreters: Dynamics Multilingual Services
2017 Team
Performances by: Mariah Freda, P.J. Johnnie, Brianna Kalisch, Chad Anthony Miller
Assistant Director / Stage Manager:
Dominique Rider
​Lighting Design: Emma K. Rivera
Mask Design: Sarah Edkins
Musical Arrangement: Adrian Bridges
Sound / Projection Design: Sadah Espii Proctor
Choreography: Rishauna Zumberg
CCTA Producer: Brian Demar Jones
Production Assistant: Wren Mitchell
Creative Interns: Bahar Cetinsoy, Adi Eshman
Devising Collaborators:
Michael Ables, Sarah Edkins, Emily Ellis, Christopher Gillard, Jean Goto, Sheree Grate, Rob Reese, Rishauna Zumberg
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Contributing Artists:
Armando Batista, Ben Gougeon, Arisael Rivera, Isreal Scott, Doris Vila
PRODUCTION, DEVELOPMENT + TOURING HISTORY
2018
Upper Manhattan Tour, October 21-31:
Sugar Hill Children’s Museum • Riverstone Senior Center • YM & YWHA of Washington Heights • Hebrew Tabernacle • Inwood Library • Sherman Creek / New York Restoration Project.
This tour was made possible in part with funding
from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation and administered by LMCC.
2017
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October 20-21: The Performance Project @ University Settlement (with Climate Change Theatre Action)
June: Uptown Arts Stroll, La Casa: Space for the Arts (Workshop Performances)
May: FEAST at Theatre Under St. Marks (Work-in-Process Showing)
“If The Sinking Island offers guidance on how to survive the coming decades, it’s to remind viewers to trust each other and remember each other’s stories.” (Grist)
“It is at the culmination of the production, when the audience is encouraged to enter the stage and cross the blue fabric themselves, that they feel the most compassion towards the climate refugees.” (Howlround)
View our research sources and found text, suggested reading list, process journal and family resources on our Investigate page.
The script for This Sinking Island is available on New Play Exchange.
SPECIAL THANKS
Support, insight and expertise during the creation of this project were provided by the following individuals and organizations:
Climate Change Theatre Action • La Casa, Space for the Arts • Indie Theatre Fund • Benjamin Gugeon • Alejandro Laguna, United Nations Environmental Program • Citizens Climate Lobby
PERFORMANCE SPONSORS:
Eye Care and Surgery; Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling.
COMMUNITY SPONSORS:
CHOCnyc, Coogan's, Dichter Pharmacy, Fancy Pies, Green Juice Cafe, Headquarters Salon, Pick & Eat, Pocion, Saggio, Tannat Wine Bar, Uptown Garrison & Vines on Pine.
VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE:
Phil & Meg Lauer, Vlada Yaneva, Jenny Brown Knoche, Jean Hong, Caroline Goldrick, Tim Dalton.
Read our feature in the Manhattan Times!
