[from the program:]

At first glance the bringing together of a professional dance company, a group of physics students, a group of art students, a math teacher, a physics teacher, and an English teacher might strike one as an unlikely endeavor - but, over time, the union has proved an enlightening and highly rewarding one.  (Well, OK, it might have also been, at times, a little frustrating).

Why did we decide to ignore all the traditional boundaries?  Because everyone believes, fundamentally, that the creative process is essentially the same for the actor, the dancer, the writer, and the scientist.

After all, it wasn't until fairly recently that the educational/artistic disciplines were separated at all.  Leonardo Da Vinci (in may ways a figurehead for this production) thought of himself as neither artist nor scientist because he was, intensely, both.

Thus, in our project, we have undertaken the task of exploring the realms of art and science through movement and drama.  The actual production is made up of two parts: a series of dances and a short play.  Altough very different in format, the two pieces together act as mirror images for one another.

The development of both pieces, while appearing completely chaotic to the skeptical observer, followed essentially the same methodical process.  The professionals, drawing on their experience and unique backgrounds, worked together to create a framework of ideas.  Using that framework as a foundation, we created a series of problems requiring solutions.  We then presented the problems to our students.  Their answers comprise what you will see on the stage tonight.  Using logic, instinct, improvisation, and just plain creative smarts, the students have created a series of images of our physical world with a wholly unique perspective.

In the dance piece, the performers will demonstrate the beauty and art inherent in the physics of our universe.  In the drama piece, the actors will reinvent a classic fantasy demonstrating the awesome power and inherent danger of technology gone awry.

The first piece explores the element of humanity and science; the second piece explores the consequences of science when the humanity is lost.  We hope you will enjoy watching this innovative original production.  We would like to expend special thanks to the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts for helping to provide the opportunity for the collaboration of so many students and professionals.  We have certainly enjoyed ourselves!

I - Matter and Energy

II - Waves

III - Balance of Forces

IV - Mechanics

MATTER AND ENERGY  All of the universe is made up of matter and energy, from tha basic material that made up the big bang to the swirling matter that formed galaxies and solar systems.  The fast moving random motion of the gas molecules, the slower moving motion of the molecules of liquids, the vibrations of molecules locked up in the crystal structures of a solid; all are manifestations of the many forms of matter and energy.  The matter of the dancers and the energy of the of their motion is our way of interpreting both the macro and micro worlds of matter and energy.

WAVES  Often energy travels in an organized (although not always simple!) pattern.  The motion of the ocean, sound travelling in the air, and radio transmissions in outer space are all examples of wave motion.  We couldn't resist the temptation to use this as the theme for a dance!

BALANCE OF FORCES  For an object to be stopped, both the forces making it want to move and the torques trying to make it tip over must be balanced.  In this piece, our dancers are interpreting the many ways of achieving this balance.

MECHANICS  Mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with motion, forces, momentum, work, energy, and machines.  This piece starts with the dancers examining these topics and ends with a "Rube Goldberg Machine" where energy flows from one part of the device to the next.