Mugwumpin & Theatre of Yugen talk about Creation Myths and Millennial Prophecies at Z Space in San Francisco—Tuesday 18 September 2012

Our Toes Grip the Edge: Where Prophecy Meets the Abyss

Mugwumpin, Theatre of Yugen, hosted by Z Space, present a conversation on the parallels of creation myths and millennial propecies livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 18 September 2012, at 7 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. MDT / 9 p.m. CDT / 10 p.m. EDT / 02:00 GMT on Wednesday 19 September.

Presented by Mugwumpin, Theatre of Yugen, and hosted by Z Space (San Francisco, USA).

Are creation myths and millennial prophecies mirror images of each other? In the Iroquois tradition, our world began with catastrophe: the Sky Woman’s husband, learning that she’s pregnant, hurls her into an abyss. Rather than meeting destruction, she lands on a giant turtle and the world is born. Prophecy in contemporary America is not so different: it foretells of an abyss towards which we’re hurtling, and the choices that we make as we approach it will determine whether we’re destroyed or renewed.

In this unique one-night event, Mugwumpin and Theatre of Yugen, two of San Francisco’s most innovative theater companies, introduce audiences to the themes and ideas flowing through their latest works and the cross-currents between them.

In late September, Theatre of Yugen will premiere Mystical Abyss, directed by Yugen founder Yuriko Doi. In this pan-cultural work, the company takes their Japanese Noh-inspired work in surprising new directions, incorporating digital animation and Aztec, Mohawk, and Mexican folkloric dancers and musicians to interweave Japanese and Iroquois creation myths.

Meanwhile, Mugwumpin is at work and play, creating a new original work on the theme of American prophecy, which will premiere in March, 2013. With humor laced with dread, Mugwumpin taps the deep well of American prophetic tradition, in which America judges itself for failing to live up to its own promises. The evening will feature excerpts of both companies' work and a talk on Mohawk prophecy from Mohawk musician-activists Kenny and Roger Perkins. The audience will be invited to engage in this lively discussion about creation, destruction, and the balance between the two.

About HowlRound TV

HowlRound TV is a global, commons-based, peer-produced, open-access livestreaming and video archive project stewarded by the nonprofit HowlRound. HowlRound TV is a free and shared resource for live conversations and performances relevant to the world’s performing-arts and cultural fields. Its mission is to break geographic isolation, promote resource sharing, and develop our knowledge commons collectively. Anyone can participate in a community of peer organizations revolutionizing the flow of information, knowledge, and access in our field by becoming a producer and co-producing with us. Learn more by going to our participate page. For any other queries, email [email protected] or call Vijay Mathew at +1 917.686.3185 Signal. View the video archive of past events.