As world leaders discuss climate change in Paris this week, Juneau residents get a chance Thursday night to explore what climate change means on a local level.
In “A Pain in the Crevasse,” performers such as Juneau playwright Frank Katasse and assemblymember Maria Gladziszewski will read six short plays on climate change at the Mendenhall Glacier pavilion.
The free event is being organized by Perseverance Theatre and University of Alaska Southeast.
Perseverance Theatre’s Shona Osterhout said the plays will provide an interesting angle on a serious issue.
“These are all plays that have been written all over the world, but you can really take it in and have your own thoughts about it,” Osterhout said. “I think art is really great to talk about issues like these.”
The theater event is one of many taking place around the world through the initiative Climate Change Theatre Action. Short plays on climate change are being performed in cities throughout the U.S. and in more than 20 countries.
One of Thursday night’s plays is called, “An Average Guy Thinking Thoughts on Global Warming.”
“You get an average guy who doesn’t know a lot and he’s being honest and he’s showing himself to the audience for what he is and it’s hilarious and at the same time, it’s very poignant and you take something away after you read it,” said UAS student Bryan Crowder.
Following the six short play readings, the audience is invited to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for a panel discussion with glaciologists and local climate change experts. Panelists include UAS professors Eran Hood and Cathy Connor, UAS assistant professor Glenn Wright and Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary.
“A Pain in the Crevasse” begins at 7 p.m. Thursday.
