Scenes of Aquatic Life: Theatre, Dance, Music and Science

Abstract

Argentina has seen the emergence of a vibrant science theatre scene, with bothscientists and artists combining science and theatre for entertainment and publiccommunication of science. However, although many productions might be classified as science theatre, little is known about who produces them, nor how andwhy such productions arise. Furthermore, in Argentina, there seems to be a lackof consensus on what constitutes science theatre, making it pertinent to ask: is science theatre a genre of theatre? Or, is it something different? And even, whether itcould be considered an entity. If it is an entity, who gives it existence?Three scientists-artists (Roxana Aramburú, Pablo Facundo García andmyself), forming the Grupo de Estudios en Ciencia y Escena [Science and SceneStudies Group), set out to address these questions in an ongoing investigation.This study suggests that most of the 50 respondents to an introductory surveyabout science theatre work in teaching or research (together accounting for morethan 50% of responses). On the other hand, less than 10% of respondents indicate that theatre is their primary means of earning a living. This situation suggeststhat the field of science theatre in Argentina sits outside the world of professionaltheatre, and is instead situated in museums, cultural centres, science fairs, andeven schools and independent theatres (article in preparation). In the context ofthis vibrant but understudied field, I introduce a case study that provides oneexample of Argentinian science theatre.