Life Waste: A Punk-Folk-Rock Musical 红杏直播app ... Biogas?

Sustainability-themed performance at the College Farm, Oct. 4, 5

by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson

Matt Steiman won’t seek out the spotlight. But if you recruit him for an inventive punk-folk-rock musical about sustainable energy, he’ll happily step up to the mic.

Steiman, assistant director of Dickinson's College Farm and energy projects director, is a co-creator of and performer in Life Waste: A Biogas Musical. Tapping the creative energies of students, faculty, farmers, scientists, activists, artists, tradespersons and others in the local community, it’s an inventive mix of original songs and spoken pieces about the trials and tribulations of sustainability, viewed through the lens of the College Farm.

This free, public event will be held Oct. 4 and 5 at the farm (details below). Weather-appropriate clothes and a healthy sense of humor are advised.

“The dream is to advocate for Matt’s work through experimental art and storytelling and to reach across disciplines, fields and communities to create something new and beautiful.” –Kent Barrett

Gaining traction

The performance-in-progress is presented by , a 501c3 nonprofit co-led by Kent Barrett, associate professor of theatre design, artist Mo Geiger and activist John Werner. Valley Traction makes original work by, for and about people from all walks of life who live in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley.

Its latest endeavor was inspired by Dickinson’s leading-edge methane biodigester, which converts cow waste into sustainable energy. It is the only college-farm biodigester in the Northeast that’s connected to the grid, and it supplies energy not only to the farm but also to neighboring homes and farms. The project is led by Steiman.

Matt Steiman (right), energy projects manager at Dickinson's farm, recently hosted Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, to discuss sustainability issues and the farm's biodigester operations. Photo by Dan Loh.

Its launch was a huge endeavor, with unexpected twists and plenty of cow jokes to be had. Realizing the dramatic potential, the artistic directors approached Steiman about collaborating on a performance, then reached out to local community members to co-create and collage dialogue, music and lyrics with Steiman's and Werner's original songs and ideas.

“The dream is to advocate for Matt’s work through experimental art and storytelling and to reach across disciplines, fields and communities to create something new and beautiful,” says Barrett.

Teamwork = dream work

The story centers on Biogas Bob, a character inspired by the late Bob Hamburg. He was a sustainability evangelist who donated time and talent to Dickinson’s biodigester project.

As the character Anonymous Farmer, Steiman sings and plays the guitar and trombone. Dickinson contributors also include Roma Cervino '27 and Tess Cassol-Pawson '27 (set and costume design); Dinela Dedic ’27, an environmental science major (carpentry); singers Venus Bhatt ’25 (neuroscience), Genesis Whitlock ’25 (environmental science), Justice Roney '24 (political science); and Vanessa Butcher ’26 (women’s, gender & sexuality studies); and drummer Alex Arnold ’27 (German). Nearly all also contributed to the songs or text, along with others from the regional community.

“We basically wrote or created many of the songs together, kind of like one large band,” explains Barrett. “One person speaking on stage might have also sculpted a piece for the set and suggested rewrites for a piece of text.”

“Not everyone is ready to consume the science and practical technical aspects of biogas systems. This is a fun way to share the concept of valuing our waste as a resource for good.” –Matt Steiman

The group workshopped Life Waste over the summer. True to its theme, the production is powered by biogas and solar energy, and the sets are made of recycled and reclaimed materials.

Music and inspiration

The creators hope audiences will come away with a deeper appreciation for the places we inhabit and an understanding of the ways energy systems and conservation efforts shape it. We can also expect a modicum of poop jokes, as well as some fast facts and poignant moments. And, naturally, a lot of sick tunes.

For Steiman, it’s an opportunity to honor Hamburg, his late friend and mentor, while highlighting the good that waste-to-energy systems can do.

“Not everyone is ready to consume the science and practical technical aspects of biogas systems, but many people enjoy being entertained with music and theatrical performance,” he says. “This is a fun way to share the concept of valuing our waste as a resource for good.”

The performance

Life Waste: A Biogas Musical will be held rain or shine, Oct. 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. at the College Farm (553 Park Drive, Boiling Springs, Pa.). Free biogas digester tours, demonstrations and popcorn, hot off the biogas stove, will be available at 6 p.m. The free tickets must be reserved at .

A shuttle will run from the Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium (ATS) parking lot to the farm for the Friday show. Audience members driving to the farm on Friday or Saturday are encouraged to meet at the ATS parking lot to carpool.

This event is supported by the Center for Civic Learning & Action, Center for Sustainability Education, South Mountain Partnership, the Carlisle Tool Library and the College Farm.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS

Published October 3, 2024

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