Climate Control Theatre well received

By Kaitlyn Delaney
Photo Editor

LCC’s Black Box Theatre hosted a performance of “Climate Control Theatre: All Good Things Must Begin,” on Dec. 1 and 2.

The unique learning experience was free of charge, but donations were accepted for LCC’s Theatre Scholarship Funds. Department officials gratefully accepted a total of $135 in donations.

The production included five separate plays, all from the Climate Control Theatre Action collection of playwrights. The plays had three official directors – Anna Szabo, Doak Bloss and Nick Lemmer – and involved over 150 LCC students.

Along with the plays, there were other things to be seen during the intermission break, and a discussion led by John Doudna after the production.

Visitors read poetry written by LCC English students and viewed posters addressing climate change. They also had educational conversations with climate and environment organization representatives, and participated in the Climate Ribbon Project during the intermission break.

Leo Ackerman, Christopher Chamberlain and Ashley Weinbrecht-Morris act out a scene of “Magical Fungi in Times Square,” during a rehearsal of Climate Control Theatre.  Photo by Kaitlyn Delaney

Producer Melissa Kaplan said the event went extremely well, with a turnout of around 100 people.

“The performances were well received,” Kaplan said. “The student actors and sign interpreters gave it their all, and the audience enjoyed the intermission break.”

For anyone interested in learning about climate change in a way similar to this, Kaplan said her department is currently planning the March 2024 Global Fest themed Climate, Culture and Change.

For those who would like to experience Climate Control Theatre, there will be a little bit of a wait, but another one is the plan.

“Climate Change Theatre Action is a biennial global festival, so my plan is to organize another in the fall of 2025, again collaborating with faculty in different disciplines to involve as many students and explore as many angles as possible,” Kaplan said.