Le Babel – excerpts of Bill Wolter's DEAR artist residency, performed 2022, Oakland California.
In an increasingly hyper-competitive, technologically-driven world, how do we keep up with increasingly limited resources? Le Babel, a sci-fi surrealist operetta, tries to answer this question as it follows the journey of Donald G. Gregario, an office worker of the future. After Donald graduates from Western Ergonomic University, he seeks a mental-update to perform faster and continue his rise in the corporate work hierarchy. But does a new-and-improved Donald create advantages or obstacles? Through movement, vocalized sound, and a large music ensemble set in an evolving multi-media space, we follow Donald’s journey as he navigates through entities of influence, evil forces, and his own expanded consciousness. Le Babel is a collaboration between choreographer Amy Lewis, production and lighting designer Ben Coolik, and creative director/composer Bill Wolter.