Read and Rant (10/19)

Extreme weather events, drought, wildfires, the highest temperature on Earth ever recorded, shattering human and wildlife losses, 2020 has been a year of environmental tragedy. In the face of such enormity, a feeling of helplessness and resignation is understandable. But in October at Athena Project, we’ll be reading plays, ranting about climate change and its impact, and discussing ways to take action.

For October’s Read & Rant, we’re honored to introduce Chantal Bilodeau, co-founder of Climate Change Theatre Action (CCTA) (http://www.climatechangetheatreaction.com/), a program of The Arctic Cycle (https://www.thearcticcycle.org/). A global participatory project, CCTA uses theatre to bring communities together and encourage them to take local and global action on climate. Every other year, fifty professional playwrights, representing all inhabited continents as well as several cultures and Indigenous nations, are commissioned to write five-minute plays about an aspect of climate change based on a prompt. To emphasize the “Action” part of Climate Change Theatre Action, collaborators are also urged to think about an action – educational, social, or political/civic – that can be incorporated into their event. 

There are two five-minute CCTA plays for October. In Appealing by Paula Cizmar, Jana and J wrestle with the question of how to present evidence of environmental disaster without turning off the public. In Jordan Hall’s The Donation, Jen encounters a would-be donor whose proposed contribution prompts an examination of how individuals reconcile their own resource use and responsibility for climate change. Attendees will also have access to a list compiled by The Arctic Cycle of important resources for climate change advocacy.

Materials:

1. Appealing by Paula Cizmar
2. The Donation by Jordan Hall
3. Climate Change Information Resource List by The Arctic Cycle

Facilitators:

Jennie MacDonald
Chantal Bilodeau

QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION:

• Of the many environmental crises documented in 2020, which ones personally affected you?
• The concept of balance seems to be a core element not only of environmental stability but also of human engagement with nature. How does balance feature in Appealing and The Donation? 
• In the spirit of CCTA’s emphasis on “Action,” what sort of actions do you take in regard to environmental advocacy? Do you have a larger goal you’d like to aim for?

OBTAINING THE SCRIPTS: 

The materials will be available after you complete the registration at Eventbrite. You will gain access to the specific links to this month’s material by registering for the event here:

Please be sure to check your Eventbrite confirmation email for the Zoom link to join this month’s meeting as well as the links to this month’s material.

FOLLOWING THIRD MONDAY READ & RANTS of 2020
November 16 (Skipping December due to the holidays.)