Climate Change Theatre Action
Bringing scientists, artists, and community members together to imagine climate futures. #
The Opportunity #
Climate change conversations often happen in silos.
Scientists present research. Artists create emotional experiences. Community organizations mobilize action. Yet these groups rarely have opportunities to learn from one another in the same space.
For the 10th anniversary of Climate Change Theatre Action, we set out to create something different: a community festival where science, theatre, and dialogue could come together to help people imagine possible climate futures—and their own role in creating them.
Building partnerships #
The festival was made possible through collaboration across universities, artists, community organizations, and environmental groups.
Coordinating these partnerships required designing an experience that honored each group's expertise while creating opportunities for genuine exchange rather than parallel programming.
Designing participatory experiences #
Throughout the festival, theatre became a catalyst for conversation.
Instead of asking audiences simply to absorb information, we created opportunities for dialogue, collective reflection, and meaning-making after performances and scientific presentations.
These conversations helped participants connect climate science with their own experiences, values, and communities.
Connecting people with place #
The festival extended beyond traditional performance spaces through guided experiences at the Beal Botanical Garden and Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center.
These activities grounded conversations about climate change in local ecosystems, helping participants connect global challenges with the places they call home.
Outcomes #
The festival demonstrated how participatory arts can transform science communication from information sharing into relationship building.
By combining theatre, scientific expertise, and facilitated dialogue, participants weren't simply asked to learn about climate change—they were invited to imagine possible futures together, build new relationships, and consider their own role within collective climate action.
The project also strengthened partnerships among scientists, artists, educators, and community organizations, laying groundwork for future collaborations.
Gallery #
Project Details & Resources #
- Festival website
- Organizations: Climate Change Theatre Action, Michigan State University Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement, Beal Botanical Garden, Corey Marsh, Research Center, & dozens of community partners
- Services: Facilitation • Event Design • Community Engagement • Partnership Development • Arts-Based Science Communication
- Timeline: 2024-2025
Looking for something similar? #
If you're interested in designing a retreat, festival, workshop, or public engagement experience that brings people together across disciplines and communities, I'd love to explore what we could create together.