Meeting Abstract
Prehistoric Body Theater (PBT) is a transcultural art-science interface oriented dance company founded in Indonesia in 2015. PBT performances feature animal dance forms and theatrical narratives based on the latest paleontological models of the behavior and anatomy of extinct organisms and the prehistoric ecosystems within which they lived – exploring the implications of a deep-time perspective on human identity. PBT won the 2017 Bergstrom Award for Art-Science Interface, with advising paleontologists Greg Wilson (UW) and Dave Evans (ROM).
The PBT method merges artistic foundations in Indonesian animal-form dance traditions and Japanese butoh theater, and incorporates consultation and character studies with leading paleontologists.
GHOSTS of HELL CREEK (GoHC) is the first feature PBT production, presenting the story of the Hell Creek ecosystem – a prehistoric flood-jungle located in present day Montana, that captures a world from just before, during, and after the Chicxulub asteroid impact 66 mya, and the ensuing mass extinction of the dinosaurs and other exquisite fauna. The story follows a pack of Acheroraptor temertyorum on their journey into extinction in the wake of the impact, followed by the survival and rise of Purgatorius unio, and the subsequent evolution of the primates.
GoHC is under development as a high-caliber international touring production featuring innovative choreographic, costume, and stage designs. The performance will feature an ensemble of primarily Indonesian contemporary dancers, celebrating diverse ethnic and artistic representation in the global arts+culture field. The GoHC tour offers additional programing, including a Roundtable on Deep-Time Identity, engaging participating artists and paleontologists on questions of tolerance regarding diverse global viewpoints on origin.
