TRANSMISSION

by Gwydion Suilebhan

An immersive, participatory sermon on the viral evolution of culture from the radio age to the present. Devised for an intentionally intimate audience, all seated in 1930s armchairs clustered around period radios, the performance is a sonic mashup of 20th century history and 21st century dangers that’s part jazz, part science lecture, and part ritual invocation. Together, performer and audience investigate what...

An immersive, participatory sermon on the viral evolution of culture from the radio age to the present. Devised for an intentionally intimate audience, all seated in 1930s armchairs clustered around period radios, the performance is a sonic mashup of 20th century history and 21st century dangers that’s part jazz, part science lecture, and part ritual invocation. Together, performer and audience investigate what it means to be inundated with narratives in our always-connected, always-sharing culture and explore the desperate need for skepticism and inquiry in a landscape of spin, lies, and out-of-control memes. It's an antidote for the excesses of the 21st century.

NOTE: The interactive section of Act II was created in collaboration with Jordana Fraider.

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TRANSMISSION

Recommended by

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown: TRANSMISSION by Gwydion Suilebhan
    “

    Certainly one of the most impressive examples of Immersive Theatre that I've encountered, at least via the script's opening notes, Gwydion Suilebhan's TRANSMISSION is an electrifying piece of intellectual and emotional, even spiritual, gameplay, and challenging. Saturated with historical context, both nuggets and milestones, the play feels like Ariel Dorfman's 'How to Read Donald Duck' as told by Shel Silverstein. This is high compliment for its dreamlike aesthetics and shrewd social commentary.

    Certainly one of the most impressive examples of Immersive Theatre that I've encountered, at least via the script's opening notes, Gwydion Suilebhan's TRANSMISSION is an electrifying piece of intellectual and emotional, even spiritual, gameplay, and challenging. Saturated with historical context, both nuggets and milestones, the play feels like Ariel Dorfman's 'How to Read Donald Duck' as told by Shel Silverstein. This is high compliment for its dreamlike aesthetics and shrewd social commentary.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: TRANSMISSION by Gwydion Suilebhan
    “

    Reading this in 2022 is ... uncanny. This piece is prophetic. It's also innovative in its approach to gathering people together to think about themselves and their history in a space together. Very nicely done and worth your time.

    Reading this in 2022 is ... uncanny. This piece is prophetic. It's also innovative in its approach to gathering people together to think about themselves and their history in a space together. Very nicely done and worth your time.

    ”
  • Derek Lee McPhatter: TRANSMISSION by Gwydion Suilebhan
    “

    I love the thought experiment activated in this play. A very compelling framework that brings us towards a challenging and necessary disruption. Really appreciated the theatricality too. Compelling work!

    I love the thought experiment activated in this play. A very compelling framework that brings us towards a challenging and necessary disruption. Really appreciated the theatricality too. Compelling work!

    ”
View all 15 recommendations

Character Information

My only request is that both characters should not be the same gender or race/ethnicity.
  • Performer
    Older than 40
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Host
    Younger than 40
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s

Development History

  • Workshop, All for One Theater, 2017
  • Reading, Tampa Repertory Theatre, 2016

Production History

  • Workshop, All for One Theater, 2017

Awards

  • Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play
    Helen Hayes Awards
    Finalist
    2017
  • Helen Hayes Recommended
    theatreWashington
    2016