Welcome to Ocean Filibuster!

This production grows from a collaboration between A.R.T. and the Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE). Several years ago, HUCE Director Dan Schrag approached me, asking how the arts might be able to depict the reality of the climate crisis in ways that speak to the heart and the imagination. We committed to a joint commissioning program, where theater artists would be invited to work directly with HUCE scientists and scholars while creating new pieces about the changing climate.

One of the first teams to participate in this commission series is PearlDamour. The brainchild of playwright Lisa D’Amour and director Katie Pearl, this Obie Award-winning theater company creates spectacular, interdisciplinary works—including previous pieces How to Build a Forest (created with visual artist Shawn Hall) and Lost in the Meadow (premiered in Philadelphia’s Longwood Botanical Garden). Katie and Lisa have fully embraced the opportunity to collaborate with HUCE, engaging in deep conversation with oceanographers, marine biologists, and other researchers during their creative process.

We are thrilled to welcome acclaimed performer Jennifer Kidwell to Cambridge for her A.R.T. debut, performing as both Ocean and Mr. Majority. In the creation of this show, PearlDamour has collaborated closely with composer Sxip Shirey and a team of innovative designers to invite the ocean onstage and into the entire theater. We are also grateful to our community partners on this production. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, Conservation Law Foundation, and Mass Audubon have all been integral in connecting this show to ongoing efforts to protect the waterways sustaining Boston and the Massachusetts Bay. Learn more about these organizations and their current projects both in the theater’s lobby and during the show’s interactive intermission and in the digital program below.

I’m thrilled you’ve joined us for this world-premiere production that invites us to reimagine our relationship with the ocean.

Diane Paulus, A.R.T. Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director

American Repertory Theater
Presents

Ocean Filibuster

Ocean Filibuster was commissioned and developed through a collaboration with the Harvard University Center for the Environment.

Production support of Ocean Filibuster is provided by Serena and Bill Lese.

Media Support of Ocean Filibuster is provided by WBUR.

First performance at the Loeb Drama Center on February 24, 2022.

American Repertory Theater 2021/22 Programming support is provided by Harvard University, The Barr Foundation, The Bob and Alison Murchison New Work Development Fund, The Shubert Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Bank of America, Barton & Guestier, Meyer Sound, and JetBlue.

A.R.T. 2021/22 Programming is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which receives support from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

A.R.T. 2021/22 Programming is dedicated to the memory of Karen Mueller in recognition of her many contributions to the theater.

Runtime: Two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
Download the Deep Wonder app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to explore the wonders of the deep sea during intermission.

This production contains haze, sudden loud noises, and flashing/moving lights.

Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance.

Special Thanks

Conservation Law Foundation, Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, Massachusetts Audubon Society

James Clem, Peter Girgius, Elizabeth James-Perry, Daniel Schrag

Original sound design concept developed with Mikaal Sulaiman

Additional lighting provided by Christie Lites

Projection equipment provided by Sound Associates, Inc.

Production Overhire

Scenic Carpenter & Painter: Dawn Morningstar
Scenic Carpenters: Cat Denial, James Groh, Patrick Phillips
Stitchers: Brittany Meehan
First Hand: Rebecca Shannon Butler
Dresser: Rachel Padula-Shufelt
Craft Assistant to Olivera Gajic: Adrianne Williams
Tomopteris Chestpiece custom made by Mio Design Studio
Costume Design Interns to Olivera Gajic: Stella Feldschuh & Lucian Figliulo
Second Assistant Lighting Supervisor: Aja Jackson
Electricians: Kevin Barnett, Anna Brevetti, Matthew Cost, Andie Dudziak, Brittany Trymbulak
Load-in crew: Errick Jersey, Slava Tchoul, James Grohl
Props Artisan: Megan Vaughn

Access

ASL Coach: Shana Gibbs
ASL Interpreter: Tsana Damanin, Janine Sirignano
Primary Describer: Laura Pailler
Secondary Describer: Gamalia Pharms
Relaxed Performance Occupational Therapist: Mary Beth Kadlec
Relaxed Performance Sensory Consultant: Spectrum Theatre Ensemble
Open Captioning: c2