Wichita State University’s School of Performing Arts Dance Program is producing an original experimental dance theater event written and directed by Nicholas Johnson, director of dance.

"Brave New World" will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, April 15-18, rotating through several locations on the main WSU campus.

Inspired by the 1932 novel from English writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley, “Brave New World” examines what happens to a conformist society when it is confronted by the behavior of an outcast individualist. The performance is a collision of two worlds, pitting a highly structured, passionless society against a new vision brought by a visit from beings outside their social context. Wild, free and curious, these others immerse themselves in the new world, but discover they can never fit.

“Brave New World” is designed to break the conventional boundaries of theater-based performance. Locations for the event will be staged at four venues around campus, starting at the Heskett Center pool, moving to outside Hubbard Hall, then inside the Rhatigan Student Center, near the food court, and then on to Shocker Courtyard, outside Shocker Hall. The performance will conclude back at the pool.

Multi-disciplinary event

The event is multi-disciplinary, incorporating technology, videography, dance, theatre and physical theatre to create an extended moment that shifts audience perceptions towards self-reflection and new concepts of external and internal space. “Brave New World” includes choreography from School of Performing Arts Professor Denise Celestin, dance teacher Sabrina Vasquez and instructor Cheyla Chandler.

Seating for the event is limited to 190. Free attendance for WSU students is on a first-come, first-served basis for Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16, only. The performances on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, will be ticketed performances only – there will be no free WSU student tickets available.

Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Box Office noon-5 p.m. weekdays in the lobby of Duerksen Fine Arts Center or at wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice.

General admission is $10. Discount tickets are $8 for seniors, faculty/staff and military or $6 for children and students.

For more information, contact the box office at 316-978-3233.