Science on Stage 2023

Science on Stage returns to Stony Brook University

This year, for the second time, the Alda Center for Communicating Science was proud to collaborate on Science on Stage.

The event brings together research and the performing arts in a series of 10-minute, one-act plays written by professional playwrights and inspired by Stony Brook researchers.

Science on Stage was performed to a standing room-only crowd on the Stony Brook campus in October. The plays, read by professional actors, were followed by a panel discussion between the playwrights and scientists that was moderated by Ken Weitzman, program director, and JD Allen, Stony Brook journalism instructor and managing editor of WSHU, a regional NPR affiliate.

Weitzman, associate professor in the English department and affiliated faculty with the Alda Center for Communicating Science conceived of the program, first offered in 2020, and oversaw its return this year. This year’s event was funded through a Provostial Seed Grant for Interdisciplinary Work: Creative Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, with assistance from the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Alda Center.

Collaborations between Scientists and Playwrights

Prometheus, or the Modern Frankenstein

By Greg Kotis, two-time Tony Award winning playwright best known for “Urinetown”

Inspired by Nilanjan Chakraborty, associate professor of mechanical engineering

Read Prometheus

The Penguin Play

By Michele Lowe, whose first play made it to Broadway and stages across the globe

Inspired by Heather Lynch, professor of ecology and evolution

Read The Penguin Play

Echo

By Rogelio Martinez, whose plays have been produced around the US and internationally

Inspired by Suparna Rajaram, SUNY distinguished professor of cognitive science in the psychology department

Read Echo

View the program from the performance.

Learn more about Science on Stage