Meet Alex and his friend, Dr. Irene Pepperberg. Alex is an African Grey parrot. Irene is a researcher at Harvard University. Over the protests of her male colleagues, Irene teaches Alex to meaningfully communicate and solve problems at the level of a five-year-old child. This highly theatrical new work tracks their 30-year research experiment turned love story and asks: in a world where we are rapidly destroying animal habitats, just who exactly are we sharing our planet with? From the award-winning writer of Paradise.
Originally commissioned and developed by The Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science & Technology Project.
The Brit d’Arbeloff Women in Science Production
BEYOND WORDS
by Laura Maria Censabella
Inspired by the life story of Irene Pepperberg and Alex
directed by Cassie Chapados
March 14 – April 14, 2024
A Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Production
Writer
- Laura Maria Censabella Playwright
- Dr. Irene M. Pepperberg Scientist and Inspiration for Beyond Words
Director
- Cassie Chapados Director
Cast
- Karina Beleno Carney* Lourdes Acevedo
- Stephanie Clayman* Dr. Irene M. Pepperberg
- Bill Mootos* Rick Pepperberg and Howard Towers
- Jon Vellante* Alex
- Kandyce Whittingham Chorus
- Ken Yotsukura Chorus
- Matthew Zahnzinger Chorus
Production
- Qingan Zhang Scenic Designer
- Sandra Zhihan Jia Costume Designer
- Amanda Fallon Lighting Designer
- Julia Wonkka Properties Designer
- Grant Abbott Movement Director
- Anna Drummond Sound Designer
- Olivia Dumaine Intimacy Director
- Kiara Escalera Wardrobe Supervisor
- Kai Bohlman Sound Engineer
- Brian M. Robillard* Stage Manager
- Elaine Mangelinkx* Assistant Stage Manager