Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Anthropocene Project
Anthropocene Project
Learn more about your impact
Anthropocene, an award-winning original devised theatre performance, examines the escalation of consumption and how human progress has led to a new and dangerous geological age. Developed over several years through collaborative devising labs led by theatre professors Rachel Bowditch and Karen Jean Martinson, the project was created by dozens of professional artists working alongside Herberger Institute undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni. Using non-linear storytelling and a physical performance vocabulary, the piece confronts the climate crisis as a symptom of interconnected systems of capitalism, colonization, and environmental imbalance, calling for structural change and a new narrative for our collective future.
You really created the best of what art can do — visually stunning, movement was powerful and beautiful, sound and production was first rate, acting was dialed in, dramaturgy is deep and provocative. And it is hopeful in the end.”
Impact of donor support
Anthropocene has been formally invited to present at the UNESCO Climate Summit: "Building Bridges from Meaning to Policy Formulation and Impact: Mobilizing Humanities Expertise in a Rapidly Changing World,” at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris late September/October 2026. Organizers anticipate 300-1000 delegates representing 35 of the 195 UN-recognized countries across the globe to attend the international convening. Anthropocene was competitively selected and identified by UNESCO Bridges, ASU Environmental Humanities, the Global Futures Laboratory, and Create the Change as an exemplar for how the arts and humanities can be pivotal partners to sustainability experts in expressing the urgency of the climate crisis. Become an important part of amplifying this urgent message about the climate crisis. Your support will make a world of difference.
Your donation and contribution will support:
$1000-$4000: Production costs including costumes, lights, media, and sound
$4000: Support one Herberger student’s airfare, housing, per diem to perform for UNESCO
$8000: Supports two Herberger student’s airfare, housing, per diem to perform for UNESCO
$12,000: Supports three Herberger student’s airfare, housing, per diem to perform for UNESCO
$15,000: Supports four Herberger student’s airfare, housing, per diem to perform for UNESCO
$50,000: Supports the entire cast of the show to perform for UNESCO
$75,000: Supports the cast and entire production team of designers, director, and dramaturg
$100,000: Supports the entire production and project development beyond UNESCO to tour nationally and internationally
It was wonderful to see many of the challenges we face in the Anthropocene come alive on stage in such a visually striking way. Theatre, and the arts in general, are critical communication conduits to help outline challenges and solutions for societies as we navigate the Anthropocene.”