**Event Title:** Somewhere, a Primer for the End of Days

**Dates:** May 11-14 & 18-20, 2023

**Location:** Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

**Description:**
This spring, the Theatre & Dance Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, presents a compelling production titled "Somewhere, a Primer for the End of Days." Set against the backdrop of a world grappling with years-long natural and humanitarian disasters, this narrative unfolds in the forests of the West Coast. Here, survivors—bound by blood and found families—navigate through the challenges of a blight attacking tree roots and the mysterious disappearance of insects. Amidst these crises, Cassandra, an entomologist, and her brother Alexander, an engineer, discover a glimmer of hope in the migration of Monarch butterflies to new nesting grounds. This story poses a poignant question: Is this the end, or are we, like the butterflies, undergoing a transformation?

**Director’s Note:** Ramón Esquivel reflects on the fascination with post-apocalyptic narratives among younger generations, drawing parallels to the current climate crisis. "Somewhere, a Primer for the End of Days" is set in an alternate timeline where human civilization began to collapse in 1991. The play explores the dichotomy between those clinging to the past and those preparing for the future, offering a narrative that is both cautionary and inspiring.

**Cast & Creative Team:**
- **Director:** Ramón Esquivel
- **Cast:** Niah Pratt as CASSANDRA, Eric Monjoy as ALEXANDER, Sophia Tinkey as DIANA, and others bringing the world of "Somewhere" to life.
- **Artistic/Production Team:** Includes professionals and students from Cal Poly's Theatre & Dance Department, with contributions in costume design, scenic design, lighting, sound, and more.

**Special Notes:** The production also features dramaturgy projects by Max Kennel on World Building and Ella Marchal on Monarch Butterflies, adding depth to the thematic exploration of the play.

Don't miss this thought-provoking production that delves into themes of survival, hope, and transformation in the face of environmental catastrophe.

Helen Zhan

Events

Past events

11 - 20 May, 2023

Somewhere, a Primer for the End of Days · Cal Poly Theatre & Dance Department

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