Andrew Schneider
NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars) Open Universe
Immersive Experience / Theatre / Visual Art
Every point in space occurs once at each moment of time. NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars) is a new interactive theatrical installation that pushes this idea to its literal extreme.
An unseen narrator guides each participant through an individualized journey into a precisely programmed matrix of light—and the cosmos of themselves. the stars traces every decision that you have ever made as a contributing factor to being ‘here’ and being ‘now.’ With nearly 4,000 reactive LED lights and a 496-channel soundscape, Andrew Schneider’s powerful installation draws you into a contemplative and deeply personal encounter with time, memory and presence. Part-meditation, part-exploration, this dazzling fusion of tech and theatre is a rare chance to get lost in the stars.
Two distinct experiences are offered in The Dark – Open Universe and Guided – each unique and compelling in different ways.
This is a non-seated, interactive experience in which audience members are free to move around the space. The venue is wheelchair and walker accessible, and chairs can be provided on request.
Tickets to singular performances go on sale January 10, but you can secure your Festival Pass to The Dark now!
THE STARS (Open Universe) was originally produced by Miranda Wright + Los Angeles Performance Practice. Development was made possible with support from The Brown Arts Institute, Carleton College Arts and Technology Initiative, The Simons Foundation and Science Sandbox, The Voxel, The Onassis Foundation, The Sundance Institute Interdisciplinary Program, and Eliko Industries.
Andrew Schneider is mostly interested in how humans telling stories about ourselves to each other can make us better at being humans. And how much the second law of thermodynamics and grief have in common.
He is an OBIE award-winning, Drama Desk-nominated director, performer, writer, and interactive-electronics artist creating original works for theater, dance, sound, video, installation and public art since 2003.
Schneider’s work uses new and old, high and low tech – from Wave Field Synthesis arrays and Volumetric Lighting displays – to literal smoke and mirrors. He is interested in the edges of human perception, using science as a blueprint for staging, and above all, the question of – how does it make you feel?
Original works include HERE (2025 – Jacob’s Pillow) NOWISWHENWEARE (2023 – Brooklyn Academy of Music and ongoing tour); »remains« (2020 – Radialsystem, Berlin) commissioned by the Sasha Waltz & Guests Dance company; NERVOUS/SYSTEM (2018 – BAM Next Wave); AFTER (2018 – Under the Radar, The Public Theater); YOUARENOWHERE (2015 OBIE award, 2016 Drama Desk nom); DANCE/FIELD (2014 – Roulette); TIDAL (2013 – River to River); and WOW+FLUTTER (2010 – The Chocolate Factory Theater), among others.
