Twinning University of Trento // CALTECH. California Institute of Technology

4 October 2022 / 8:30 p.m.
MUSE - Palazzo delle Albere, via R. Sanseverino 43 - Trento
ITALIAN language event


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Science Storytelling
EARTH MADE BY HUMANS
A collaboration with the Theater Arts of the California Institute of Technology and the University of Trento.

The partnership focuses on the theme of
ANTHROPOCENE and is curated by Andrea Brunello, Jake Mattinson and Brian Brophy (tacit.caltech.edu/about/people/brian), director of TACIT - Theater Arts at Caltech (California Institute of Technology). Details on TACIT can be found here: tacit.caltech.edu.

In these four short plays, an international collaboration seeks to explore the moment when man took control of the Earth. Students from the University of Trento asked themselves this question together with students from Caltech in the USA and now offer you these original short pieces, written in English and presented in Italian.

Play 1: How’d You Die?
Play 2: The Feminist Birth of Climate Science
Play 3: An Author in Search of Three Characters
Play 4: The Anthropocene Extinction: An Unavoidable Mistake?


How’d You Die?

Authors:

Michael Gutierrez
(Caltech) - Michael is a second-year astrophysics student at Caltech. Although he finds most of humanity's qualities incredibly annoying, he is particularly fond of their relentless curiosity about the universe and loves creating and sharing stories about being human.
Laura Beghini (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) - Laura is a former student at the University of Trento and now a second-year PhD student at NTNU. When not working she enjoys hiking, eating lasagne, crying and writing stories about people and science.

Discussant MUSE:
Luca Scoz.



After a terrible car accident, a scientist finds himself not in paradise but in a new place with one person: an ancient Babylonian. Although they initially believe their lives are completely different, they find common ground in curiosity, ingenuity and science.


The Feminist Birth of Climate Science

Authors:

Shalini Kurinchi-Vendhan Shalini is a fourth-year undergraduate studying astrophysics at Caltech. She is not only passionate about using simulations to learn about galaxies, but also communicating her love for science through art and poetry.
Sophie Bini (University of Trento) - Sophie is in her second year of a PhD in astrophysics. When she is not working, she enjoys the beach, volleyball and travelling (trying not to lose her things!). 

Discussant MUSE:
Lucia Martinelli.



In 1856, a young woman published a physics paper that could change history. Eunice Newton Foote described the greenhouse effect decades before male scientists rediscovered it. Her story, that she was a suffragette and a scientist, shows that history can be defined as much by the voices that were heard as by those that were not.


An Author in Search of Three Characters

Authors:

Guglielmo Grillo
(University of Trento) - Guglielmo is a master physics student and tutor in Trento with a strong passion for computer science and scientific storytelling. I also want to thank Jake for making me realise how much theatre was missing in my storytelling.
Jake Mattinson
(Caltech, Physics '19) - Jake is a physicist and engineer who has worked to bring science and theatre closer together by leading collaborations like this one. He would like to thank Guglielmo for constantly pushing what is possible and for being a great writing partner.

Discussant MUSE:
Massimo Bernardi.



Our author finds himself at a crossroads when trying to describe the beginning of the Anthropocene. He fears he cannot find the right answer without professional help. We hope that some certified professionals will help him during the performance.


The Anthropocene Extinction: An Unavoidable Mistake?

Authors:

Valerio Succetti
(University of Trento) - Fascinated by life since childhood, Valerio decided to study biotechnology, to understand life at the molecular level. He focused on the study of diseases, a sad but intriguing subject that we should not be afraid to talk about.
Nishka Arora (Caltech) - Nishka is a third-year computer science major at Caltech. She is interested in AI and robotics. She enjoys music (singing and playing piano), attending musicals, skateboarding, yoga and fresh fruit.

Discussant MUSE:
Lucilla Galatà.



Years of careless human activity caused a catastrophic extinction event that ended human civilisation. However, it does not take long for new intelligent life forms to develop and find the remnants left behind.




Teatro della Meraviglia Festival
c/o arditodèsio
via Papiria 8, 38100 Trento
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