New York Premiere of Birth + Carnage Fuses Dance and Astrophysics for Unmatched Cosmic and Human Connections

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club is set to host the world premiere of Birth + Carnage, a unique and ambitious dance performance from December 19-21, 2025, at The Ellen Stewart Theatre in New York. The production, directed by choreographer Marla Phelan, integrates dance, astrophysics, and video art to create a thought-provoking exploration of creation, destruction, and human connection.

A Fusion of Cosmic and Human Dimensions

This performance is not just a typical dance show—it brings together the vastness of the universe and the intimate connections of human experience. Birth + Carnage merges choreography with the principles of astrophysics, guided by a collaboration between Phelan and astrophysicist Dr. Blakesley Burkhart. Inspired by stellar birth, the work uses this astrophysical phenomenon as both a choreographic framework and metaphor for the human condition. The integration of astrophysical data into the choreography emphasizes the connection between cosmic processes and human experience.

Dancers perform against a backdrop of digital visuals that abstract these cosmic phenomena, visually echoing the cycles of creation and destruction inherent in both the universe and humanity. This constant interplay between celestial systems and human motion invites audiences to contemplate how our lives mirror the grand movements of the cosmos.

An Artistic Experiment Rooted in Science

The idea for Birth + Carnage was born from a residency supported by The Simons Foundation and the Gibney Center’s Open Interval Program in 2022. Phelan and Burkhart’s collaboration led to a deep dive into computational simulations of star formation, translating these simulations into a visceral choreographic process. Phelan, who founded the multidisciplinary company Movement Museum, is known for her work that bridges choreography with science, technology, and immersive experiences.

Birth + Carnage exemplifies this interdisciplinary approach, creating a performance that is not just a spectacle but a deep meditation on the overlap between the scientific and emotional realms. The performance’s score, created by composer James Newberry, enhances the emotional depth of the performance through its sweeping sonic landscapes. These powerful soundscapes, combined with the dancers’ movements and the digital art, immerse the audience in an experience that mirrors the complexities of both the universe and our inner lives.

Creating a Connection Between Audiences and the Universe

This production aims to go beyond traditional performance, making a statement about the deep connections between human life and the universe. By using space and cosmic phenomena as metaphors, it draws attention to the constant cycle of birth and destruction, showing how creation and carnage are intertwined.

In Birth + Carnage, the cosmic and the human are not separate. Instead, they are part of the same system, reflecting each other in a powerful feedback loop. The digital installation amplifies this effect, bringing a visual dimension to the performance that underscores the cyclical nature of creation, life, and death.

A Collaboration Between Art and Science

The collaboration between choreographer Phelan and Dr. Burkhart represents an exciting fusion of art and science. Burkhart’s astrophysical research focuses on the dynamics of galaxies and star formation, with particular attention to the magnetic turbulence that shapes the universe. Her research was key to understanding how the process of star formation could serve as a metaphor for human existence. For Phelan, this research provided a rich foundation to build a choreographic language that physically represents the energetic and dynamic processes that occur in space.

Phelan’s choreography, which has been presented at prominent venues like Lincoln Center and The Joyce Theater, has always sought to evoke deep emotional responses from audiences. With Birth + Carnage, she delves into new territory, merging her expertise in dance with Burkhart’s scientific insights. This collaboration results in a performance that is visually striking, emotionally intense, and intellectually stimulating.

Cultural Impact and Vision

As a performance piece, Birth + Carnage represents a groundbreaking fusion of the arts and sciences, aiming to expand the boundaries of what live performance can achieve. It allows the audience to experience not only the physicality of dance but also the intellectual thrill of astrophysics. This blending of fields brings new life to both dance and scientific exploration, encouraging people to look beyond the earthly to explore the universal.

In the words of Phelan, the work lives in the tension between creation and destruction, a theme that resonates with everyone. It speaks to the constant cycles of life, urging the audience to reflect on how their own lives mirror these cosmic processes.

Tickets and Performance Information

The world premiere of Birth + Carnage will take place from December 19 to 21, 2025, at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre in New York. Tickets are priced at $35, with discounted tickets available for students and seniors at $30. For those looking for more affordable options, tickets will be available for $10 each on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets must be purchased in advance, online only.

For more information and to purchase tickets, you can visit the La MaMa website. This unique performance promises to be an unforgettable experience that will challenge your perceptions of both science and art.

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