About Us
Science on Stage is run by Jon Wakefield and Dave Quick and was set up in 1995 whilst working at Arnold Hill School; both are now retired and are able to devote more time to the project. There have been a number of major stage shows performed in a wide variety of venues ranging from school halls to Covent Garden. The last show 'Albedo' involved 230 youngsters, over 70 adults and 150 rehearsals and workshops along the way.
There are parts of human experience that just don’t get a look in when it comes to theatrical work.. One of these areas is science. When science appears at all in a performance setting it is the familiar ‘mad professor’ doing flashes, bangs and strange experiments....there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that and Science on Stage definitely go there, but they also go much further...scientific concepts themselves are turned into performance. This can seem strange to those who have only experienced science as dry and dusty. A serious look with an open mind reveals that science offers beauty, mystery, paradox, humour and tragedy as well as revelation. These only have to be spotted for dance and music inspiration to start bubbling up.
Science on Stage work in a number of ways, but when it comes to big shows we have our own special recipe: First mix science, dance and music with the highest levels of technical support. Next add adult and young performers. Finally, work them hard before placing them to rise in a professional setting. With one foot in the world of performance and the other in the world of science, Science on Stage shows have appeared in many wonderful venues during the last decade, from Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall to Covent Garden, and many musicians and dancers have experienced both the hard work and the big buzz which comes from a high profile performance.
There is more to Science on Stage than the big shows however; we have three main ambitions and four ways of meeting them
Our Ambitions
- To ‘detoxify’ scientific ideas and make them attractive and understandable
- To give all children and interested adults the chance to perform with professional support and in the best locations
- To develop performance skills. Quarts out of pint pots a speciality!
How we work
- With small groups or classes in primary schools on practical science and technology which lead to a singing activity
- Large scale shows in major venues which combine science demonstration and performance with standard choral works. All shows are around 75 minutes.
- Combining adults and children to put hard core science into original dance-musicals which are taken to high profile settings in the Nottingham area and beyond.
- Preparation of science based scores and songbooks for use by schools and performing groups
Science on Stage is run by two directors with an educational background, both qualified to masters degree level and with experience of working with all ages from six to sixty five (both of which pose similar problems!). The services of Science on Stage are provided free, so the total cost of the 2010 project will be between £11000 and £13000. Some sponsorship is already in place, but it is important to raise enough money to keep ticket prices within reach of families who have a unique opportunity here to bring along all members of the family.
Jon Wakefield Artistic Director & Composer
David Quick Science Director & Librettist
