Strange Attractor Theatre Company in collaboration with a community of citizens from across Rhode Island will be presenting The Sea Pageant at First Beach in Newport on August 21, 2017 at 1:30pm. The Sea Pageant is a once-in-a-lifetime happening: a one-day-only, 100-person unison performance of movement, song, and celebration designed to honor the ocean and the phenomenon that is the solar eclipse.
Jed Hancock-Brainerd and Rebecca Noon, founding members of Strange Attractor and Newport residents, have been producing a wide variety of theater pieces in Rhode Island for the past seven years. Built with Rhode Islanders from many walks of life and disciplines, all ages, and all-abilities, The Sea Pageant draws inspiration from our unique relationship to the sea.
"I grew up on this beach and it's moving to see so many people coming together to celebrate the ocean," says Hancock-Brainerd. "We all live at the edge of this wild space and the upcoming eclipse reminds me that we also live in outer space."
According to Noon, "Jed had this crazy idea and then it became our collective project and now it's owned by a large community of other people. I never knew there were so many people who wanted to perform for the ocean. But of course Rhode Islanders do!"
In addition to movement and song, visual artists are also involved, preparing the sandy performance area in the morning before the afternoon event. While there will be rehearsed pieces performed in unison, there will be moments and opportunity for observers and audience members to participate as well.
The Sea Pageant will conclude with a picnic starting at 2:30pm, the totality of the eclipse.
For more information, visit the STRANGE ATTRACTOR THEATRE website at www.strangeattractor.org.
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