A PHYS 498 Production
Upcoming Events
Stellar: The Story of a Black Hole and a BathtubFri, May 03Analog
About Stellar
A Performance Billions of Years in the Making
A Black Hole floats in his bath. That bath floats in the infinite. In this new and exciting movement performance join Stellar as you learn how he ended up as the singularity you see him as today. Follow him and learn about the creation of a black hole.
Stellar Sequence
The yoga sequence specifically designed to work in tandem with the production of this show. Stellar is heavily involved with traditional ideas of breath, movement, and especially yoga. This yoga sequence was crafted to simulate the life cycle of a supermassive star. Each pose and posture representing a specific facet of Stellar's life. It will not only educate you but make you feel as cosmic and rejuvenated as a star itself.
Devising Process
The Creation of Performance from the Book
Below are a few of the many steps in the creation process of this performance art piece. From the actual act of putting pen to paper all the way to the live stage reading and everything in between.
Humble Beginnings
Stellar began all from the book Einstein's Enigma, Black Holes in My Bubble Bath. The play was originally going to be a scene for scene recreation of the novel but due to constraints became inspired by Vishveshwara's book.
The Script
After extensive research and many nights of rewriting, a draft of the script was finally produced. The script went through many changes initially starting out as an ensemble cast but changing along the way to best suit Stellar's journey.
Rehearsal
The rehearsal process took many months to finally get a performable show. The process of learning the Stellar Sequence, the script and working with the caveat of an actual bathtub seemed like an overwhelming task but with the help of John Randich and a lot of hard work, the piece came together beautifully.
The Performance
The day of the performance had arrived and the culminating event came together without a hitch. With the help and support of PHYS 498 Stellar premiered to positive feedback.
Sources
“5 Things to Know About the First Black Hole Ever Photographed.” Fortune, 19 Apr. 2019, fortune.com/2019/04/10/black-hole-photo-2019-5-things-to-know/.
Cain, Fraser. “Massive Stars.” Universe Today, 25 Dec. 2015, www.universetoday.com/24336/massive-stars/.
Cain, Fraser. “Where Is the Closest Black Hole?” Phys.org, Phys.org, 21 Mar. 2016, phys.org/news/2016-03-closest-black-hole.html.
Charley, Sarah. “How to Make an Element.” PBS, NOVA, 12 Jan. 2012, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/make-an-element/.
Charley, Sarah. “How to Make an Element.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/make-an-element/.
Mitrostudios. “Life Cycle of a Star - 4K Animation / Documentary.” YouTube, 19 May 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCrmN8C5uH0.
“Nucleosynthesis.” NASA, NASA, helios.gsfc.nasa.gov/nucleo.html.
“Protostar.” Protostar | Las Cumbres Observatory, lco.global/spacebook/protostar/.
“Stage 5: Subgiant, Red Giant, Supergiant.” Lives and Deaths of Stars, Astronomy Notes, www.astronomynotes.com/evolutn/s5.htm.
Vishveshwara, C. V. Einstein's Enigma, or, Black Holes in My Bubble Bath. Copernicus Books, 2006.