Celestial movements: Versant Power Astronomy Center teams with local theatre group for world premiere of ‘Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us’

A unique theatrical experience marks its world premiere at the Versant Power Astronomy Center.

“Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us” is a multimedia performance piece written by Rebecca-Sophia Strong, directed by Angela Bonacasa of True North Theatre, and taking place inside Jordan Planetarium at the Versant Center. Performances are scheduled for November 7-8 and 14-15 at 7:00 PM with additional 2:00 PM performances on November 15 and 22.

It’s the story of Lotus, a 19-year-old BFA dance student on a quest for meaning, struggles as she witnesses the world around her falling apart. On the brink of giving up on college, she meets a mentor who introduces her to the 13.8-billion-year scientific story of the cosmos. Lotus discovers a unique capacity to see back in time prompting her to contemplate her place in the universe. While Lotus’ philosophy poet peer-group cracks the code on every current issue concerning humanity, Lotus feels the call of a reoccurring dream she has of a dark-haired woman galloping on horseback under the Milky Way.

This production marks the second collaboration between the Versant Center and True North Theatre, following 2023’s production of the play “Silent Sky,” which also had Bonacasa at the helm. It’s a relationship that Shawn Laatsch, director of the center, feels is important to grow people’s understanding of the modern planetarium.

“Planetariums today are much different than they were in the past,” said Laatsch. “The variety of offerings is so much more robust than it once was.

“I like to refer to the modern planetarium as a ‘visual immersion theater,’” he continued. “We have traditional events here, but we’ve also played host to all sorts of other types of projects, partnering with organizations like the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and BOOM (Baroque Orchestra of Maine) for concerts or hosting poetry readings or providing a space for a production like this one.”

Director Bonacasa spoke to the reasoning behind choosing to mount this particular piece.

“I loved the message, and the opportunity to tell this story in such an interesting way was very compelling,” she said. “Knowing that the playwright was open to adjusting some of the characters and dialogue based on our own community seemed like a wonderful way to create something that was truly our own. 

“All of us at True North believe very strongly in pushing ourselves to become better artists, and given the positive and inclusive message of this show, it seemed like a no-brainer,” she continued. “It was definitely going to be a stretch for us, but that’s the way we learn.  And of course, the opportunity to work with Shawn and the Versant Planetarium was a big perk.”

Bonacasa went on to discuss the value of that ongoing collaboration, including how it has grown since their first partnership.

“We all learned a lot from our experience on “Silent Sky,’” she said. “We are better acquainted with the unique opportunities and challenges of live performance of the dome space, and although there are always adjustments and things to figure out, I think we’re better at working with those constraints. And Shawn Laatsch is just wonderful to work with.”

She also spoke to some of the challenges that can come from working on a less-traditional performance piece in a less-traditional performance space, as well as the responsibilities that come with being the first to produce a new work.

“Being the first production brings with it a whole host of last minute things,” said Bonacasa. “Add to that original music and dome slides and a script written for a much bigger space and you end up needing to quickly decide if something is a ‘need’ or a ‘want.’ It all comes down to knowing what the story is, and being efficient and minimalist and yet not shorting the importance of story elements.

“But Rebecca-Sophia (the playwright) has been incredibly gracious with her time, and has been a great sounding board about potential changes, while acknowledging that we need to do what is best for the space.”

In the end, the fundamental hope in producing something like this is to elicit wonder and provoke thought.

“I hope that people leave with a sense of wonder,” said Bonacasa. “I would love them to smile when they remember what they’ve seen on the dome and want to come back and see more. The Planetarium is such a wonderful community resource. I hope people see this diverse cast, with people of different ages and backgrounds, and connect that we are all just people, trying to live our lives and find our place in the universe. The world would be such a better place if people could give each other the benefit of the doubt just a little bit more.”

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A Q&A with playwright Rebecca-Sophia Strong

What inspired you to create COSMOGENESIS?

At the heart of it all, what inspired me to create Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us is a love for the beauty I see in the natural and cosmological world and the disconnection I sense in the human world. My aspiration is to bridge that gap. I discovered the 13.8-billion-year story of the cosmos while searching for meaning and asking, “What is mine to do?” Since then, I’ve been overtaken by a deep passion to share the story of the Universe. As a psychotherapist, I was also hearing from young people struggling to make sense of the chaos within and around them. In response, I set out to tell them the story I’d learned from my teacher, Brian Thomas Swimme – through theater and story – so five of the characters are 19 years old.

My teacher’s teacher, Thomas Berry, said, “To tell the story of anything, we must tell the story of everything.” The 13.8-billion-year story is the context of all contexts. When we zoom out, we see all our stories – on one rare planet that speaks two languages: biological and cultural diversity. It’s what makes us proud to be earthlings, even as old philosophies threaten its beauty. Cosmogenesis aims to create an “Overview Effect,” like Earthrise in 1967, when humanity saw itself for the first time. I want to offer that same lens – one that reveals the elegant design behind life and asks: Is there a unifying story that connects us all? Throughout time, against all odds, life has persisted. Cosmogenesis invites a secure attachment to the Universe itself – and in its likeness, we too persist. I am deeply grateful to be here in Orono, premiering Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us.

What makes this show different than a traditional theatrical experience?

Cosmogenesis uniquely fuses stage, screen, and an original surround-sound score. It’s designed for the planetarium, telling the 13.8-billion-year story through three visual montages that break from tradition by using natural imagery rather than CGI. As a dancer, I brought movement into the story-filming aerial dance in 360 immersive film layered with scientific and artistic visuals.

As a former Rotary Exchange student in Australia, I fell in love with human culture. My hope is that everyone who sees Cosmogenesis sees themselves reflected in at least one character; I aimed to represent the human family. The philosophy woven throughout draws from The Social Forest (Suzanne Simard) and ideas of bridging and empathy from the Belonging and Othering Institute (john a. powell, UC Berkeley). These themes appear through movement-based teaching-a passion I share with our director, Angela Bonacasa of True North Theatre.

Does crafting your work for this kind of specific space change your process? How?

Absolutely! I’m a new playwright and screenwriter, so this is my first go at all of it. I’ve learned so much from my collaborators-John Keller at CU Boulder’s Fiske Planetarium, who believed in Cosmogenesis from the start and led the film component; Shawn Laatsch at the Versant Power Astronomy Center, who’s boldly bringing his third stage play to a planetarium; and Angela Bonacasa, the powerhouse director whose team bravely said yes to this ambitious production.

Scene One is the most dynamic-merging dance, dialogue, stage, screen, sound effects, and original score. Every planetarium will differ in size and layout, making each production uniquely challenging. As we take the show worldwide, translation and adaptation will continue to be part of the creative adventure.

What drew you to want to work in an interdisciplinary fashion like this?

It’s simply more fun-and far more expansive. There’s truth in the saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” We want Cosmogenesis to go far-to reach planetaria worldwide. I’ve always lived by “go big or go home,” and this project demanded a team willing to take creative risks and go the extra mile. Only 5–10% of plays ever get produced, so I’m profoundly grateful to John Keller and the Fiske team, Shawn Laatsch and Versant, Angela Bonacasa and True North Theatre, Dave Farber, Cory Cheron, and the 60+ generous souls who helped fund and shape this dream.

We hope you’ll join us for Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us.