WCU's 'Carnival Of Ruin' Spotlights Post-Consumer Waste

WEST CHESTER, PA —Waste will be artfully repurposed in an exhibit that will feature costumes and set creations under the title, "Carnival of Ruin" at West Chester University March 2-26, in an examination of post-consumer waste.

Three associate professors in the Department of Theatre and Dance at West Chester University are behind the stunning and unique costumes, sets, and props created for a theatre and dance performance piece of the same title, and made entirely from post-consumer waste.

Associate professors Constance Case, Gretchen Studlien-Webb, and maria urrutia created both the performance piece and the exhibit to increase awareness of sustainability issues and spark community action.

A “big top” tent is made from thousands of plastic bags, and costumes are made from plastic bags, soda cans, hula hoops, bottle caps, and repurposed clothing.

Studlien Webb said, “As artists, we feel it is our responsibility to create work that reflects society and ignites social change. Carnival of Ruin is an impactful and innovative work that is based on sustainability research and is expressed through thought-provoking movement language and cutting-edge costuming. We are pushing the boundaries of what it means to create innovative dance costumes and sets in a work that clearly speaks through the movement narrative about the effects of consumerism.”

For their work on the show, the three professors were recently recognized with a Woman Warrior award from the West Chester Green Team and West Chester University’s Office of Sustainability.

The Exhibit is part of the Art and Design season in the John H. Baker Gallery, E.O Bull Center for the Arts, 2 E. Rosedale Ave. in West Chester. A livestreamed gallery presentation and reading of the script will be offered to the public here via YouTube on March 20 at 7 p.m.

Scripted with original music and dialog, the Carnival of Ruin performance is based on the story of a careless carnival barker, visited by a mystical fortune teller, who convinces him to live a more sustainable existence. The moral of the story is to reduce, reuse and recycle, and the action revolves around six dances with stories of change. The piece involves West Chester University Theatre and Dance students and alumni in all performance roles.

Other performance events prior to that date will also be recorded and posted. The exhibit will be open for public viewing from March 22 – 26 by appointment only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call Laurie Moran in the Department of Art and Design at (610) 436-2755 or email at lmoran@wcupa.edu.

On May 29 East Goshen Township Park will host a free performance of Carnival of Ruin at 1661 Paoli Pike, West Chester. For additional information visit www.carnivalofruin.com.

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