Transforma is a New York based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to create interactive theatrical experiences at the convergence of consciousness, science and ritual. Our goal is to pioneer a new form of theatrical expression and develop a close community of artists and scientists instilled with the freedom of thinking and creating in alternative ways.
In 2023 Transforma Theatre created “BIOADAPTED”, an investigative documentary theatre reenactment with actors portraying real people and scientists, paired with humorous eerie fictional pieces. Bioadapted employs texts about AI, some of which have been generated by GPT-3. An EEG headset generates BCI (brain-computer-interface) instructions for the movement of an actor linked with a haptic vest and LED lights sewn into the costume. In the grand finale the audience puts GPT-4 on trial and interrogates it directly in real time. The show ran September 7-24th at Culture Lab LIC and was hailed by the New York Times as “maverick creativity” and “sleekly designed, thoughtfully assembled”.
BIOADAPTED has been developed with OpenBCI’s hardware and software. We have worked with the unicorn and pioneer in this field Heidi Boisvert (MIT, TED), who is currently developing the first media genome: an open-source biometric lab and AI system to isolate the narrative ingredients that move us to act. She spearheaded the innovation in Bioadapted with a Chinese media artist Jingyao Shao (NYU). They have been developing the original engineering and implementation of creating the brain computer interface (BCI) from EEG headsets to a haptic vest and LED lights sewn into the costume. The OpenBCI’s EEG headset sends brain patterns that reflect in haptic and light patterns in shapes of the alphabet drawn and vibrated onto the actress’s torso. The haptic shape paired with the visual representation prompts the actress to engage in breath-taking haptic choreography.
The output of BIOADAPTED are live performances (domestically and internationally) followed by talk backs about humans and technology, media/technology literacy, AI ethics and creating at the intersection of interactive theatre and new technologies. We are so excited to have OpenBCI as our technology sponsor and we’re looking forward to further engaging with OpenBCI’s inventors/directors/founders/researchers.
Our goal is to investigate, interrogate, and educate, all while delivering a unique, interactive, science-enhanced experience. Through our process of blending art and science, we make scientific, political, social and sustainability issues “digestible,” empowering audiences to become active decision makers and alert citizens protecting their own agency and human sovereignty.
In 2024, we aim to tour with BIOADAPTED, develop a sequel focused on AI hallucinations and their real world human implications, and create a technology literacy workshop. We are performing BIOADAPTED in January at the biggest national theatre conference- APAP. We are so excited to introduce our show to theatre presenters to create touring and partnership opportunities. BIOADAPTED has been invited to a Symposium on artificial intelligence “The AI Bandwagon” at North American Cultural Laboratory (NACL) and The 17th National Symposium of Theatre in Academia at Washington and Lee University.
TEAM:
Created and Directed by Tjaša Ferme
Written by Alexis Roblan, James Yu, Tjaša Ferme, including real transcripts and interviews
Starring: Arianne Banda, Juan Cardenas, Annemarie Hagenaars, Melody Munitz, Thammie Quach, Stephanie White and Nasay Ano
Assistant Director: Nasay Ano
Technology and Innovation Director: Heidi Boisvert
Technology and Innovation Assistant: Jingyao Shao
Set Design: Oliver Zeller and Emily Greco
Video Design: Jeremy Bennet
Lighting Design: Nicole E. Lang
Sound Design: Liam Bellman-Sharpe
Costume Design: Alex C. Webster
Tech support: Natalia Rodriguez
Production engineer: Jonah Burns
3D Generalist: Lisa Marie Erickson
This project is supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Edith Lutyens and Norman Bel Geddes Design Enhancement Fund, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall.
More info https://www.transformatheatre.com/bioadapted
Have a question? Want to book a performance? Contact us at [email protected]
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