Steven Gaultney’s
Bright Light Burning
A performance for COP28
3-12 December 2023
Introduction
Steven Gaultney’s Bright Light Burning is a theatrical journey that merges artistry, storytelling, and environmental activism. Our interdisciplinary production aims to shift perspectives, evoke empathy, and galvanize audiences to take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future.
The theme of COP28 is “Adaptation.” To that end, our play, Bright Light Burning, will follow a found family of performers living in 2100. The world has changed, but human need has not. Audiences will witness the new ways our descendants have found to cherish and care for each other, all as they perform a history of their ancestors’ choices through the 77 years that stand between us and them.
It is our hope that audiences will form a connection with these characters, one that reminds them that the future is worth all our effort.
December 6 (Wednesday) 4:00 pm
COP28 - EXTREME Hangout (Green Zone)
View the Live Stream performance
December 7 (Thursday) 9:30 am
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (Al Jaddaf)
View the Live Stream Performance
December 8 (Friday) 3:00 pm COP28
UK Pavilion (Blue Zone)
December 10 (Sunday) 4:00 pm
Etihad Museum (Al Mina)
Budi Miller
(USA/Australia)
Dr. Budi Miller is the Co-Artistic Director of The Theatre of Others. He is the Director of Advanced Training at the Fitzmaurice Institute. He is a Lead Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework, a certified integrative studies practitioner, and a UNESCO-designated master teacher of mask work. His practice intersects with Balinese Performing Arts Training (BPAT), Mask Work, Fitzmaurice Voicework, Michael Chekhov, Clown, Viewpoints, Grotowski, and Self-inquiry brought to the world by Ramana Maharshi. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne and a B.F.A. in theatre from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
He has been an actor-director-writer-teacher in the United States, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia since 1992. He is a Balinese mask dancer and the first teacher to bring Fitzmaurice Voicework to Denmark, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
He coached Michelle Williams for her Academy Award-nominated performance in Ang Lee's movie Brokeback Mountain, Jonathan Majors Lovecraft Country (HBO), Creed III, Ant-Man III: Quantumania (Marvel Universe) and collaborates with Julian Elijah Martinez (Wu-Tang: An American Saga on Hulu). He has had the privilege of coaching and inspiring actors in many mediums: Broadway, HBO, Netflix, Showtime, major international film markets and theatres around the world, and the Indonesian Film Festival (Judge, 2020).
He was the Head of Acting from 2017-2023 at the Victorian College of the Arts at the University of Melbourne. He has been on the faculties of The Chautauqua Theater Company from 2004-2021, and LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore 2009-2017. He has taught at Yale School of Drama, The Juilliard School, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, The Actors Center, Wayne State (MFA), The New School (MFA), SUNY Purchase College, University of Southern California, The Bill Esper Studio, Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts, The National Theatre Institute, Howard University, Western Michigan University, The National University of Singapore, The Queensland Theatre Company (Brisbane), Curtin University (Perth), and the Michael Chekhov Conference 2002.
He was the Executive Director of the International Antonin Artaud Fringe Theatre Festival 2008. He was a featured presenter at the International VASTA conference in Mexico City in 2010 and London in 2014. He was the conference director for the first VASTA conference in Asia (Singapore) in 2017.
Published Work:
de Roza, E., & Miller, B. (2018). The Lion and the Breath: Combining Kalaripayattu and Fitzmaurice Voicework Techniques Towards a New Cross-Cultural Methodology for Actor Training. Journal of Embodied Research, 1(1), 1 (20:41). DOI: http://doi.org/10.16995/jer.6
Miller, B (2023) “Whose body is dis: taksu, ase, Black queer intersections, and the awakening of the actor’s spiritual practice,” Stages of Reckoning: Antiracist and Decolonial Actor Training, (Edited) Amy Mihyang Ginther, Abingdon, New York, Routledge.
budi@theatreofothers.com
Instagram: @millerbudi
Kristina Pakhomova
(Russia/Singapore)
Kristina Pakhomova is an actress, writer, producer, artistic director, and founder of KrisP. Production in Singapore. Kristina's passion for acting was ignited by her mother's acting career, inspiring her to pursue the craft herself.
In her 15-year career as an actress, Kristina has performed in a number of theatre plays, short films, TV, commercials, and radio projects as well as producing, directing, writing, and performing in her own work. Kristina’s life mission is to help people express themselves freely and authentically through creativity. With her company she is excited and honored to be able to give opportunities to other people to express themselves, creating fun, playful, and bold moments on stage, in film, and in life. Recent standout performances include Venus in Fur and Burying Children in Esplanade Theatre Studio, and Away, an award-winning short film in which she wrote, produced, and starred.
Instagram: @pakhom_kris
Gimbey dela Cruz
(The Philippines)
Gimbey de la Cruz, a seasoned singer, theater artist, educator, and entrepreneur, earned her Music Education degree from the University of Santo Tomas and a Musical Theater degree from LASALLE College of Arts in Singapore. Currently a professor at Assumption College, she operates a successful private practice that caters to vocal enthusiasts and theater aficionados of all skill levels.
As the founder of the ProD'G Collective and an active member of prestigious organizations such as the Theater Artists Guild and the National Association for Teachers of Singing, Gimbey holds a significant position in the industry. Her dedication to nurturing emerging talent is evident through her role as the voice coordinator for the Music Teachers Network Alliance Philippines, NCR.
Gimbey has delivered standout performances in various productions, including Shiro and the Cherry Blossom, Working (Singapore), Katy: the Musical, Rak of Aegis, and 3 Stars and a Sun. Furthermore, she has shared her expertise as a voice coach for renowned productions such as Care Divas, Walang Aray, and Tabing Ilog.
Instagram: @gimbeydelacruz
Rytasha Rathore
(India)
Rytasha is a Mumbai-based actor and woman-in-progress. Stage, OTT, audio, documentaries - she does it all and is unafraid to be a Jill of all trades and a master of at least one. Acting is her first love and she has been a working actor in Indian film and television for nearly a decade now (wow she’s growing up). She is patiently awaiting the release of her show directed by Sooni Taraporevala on Prime Video where she plays a leading role.
Her prior on-screen credits include Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s Dahaad (2023) which was the first Indian web series to premiere at Berlinale and her early screen credits include primetime daily soap Badho Bahu (2016) on the Zee network, Masaba Masaba (2020-2022), Zindagi In Short (2019) and Comedy Premium League (2021) on Netflix.
She hosted Vice Asia's Sex Rated: A Vice Guide to Sex in India and Bumble India's Dating These Days.
All 100 episodes of her podcast Agla Station: Adulthood, which she co-hosted with her childhood best friend Ayushi, are available on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/wherever you get your podcasts. In addition to being an actor, host, and podcaster, she is a struggling adult as she reluctantly navigates through the quagmire that is adult life. She strives to consistently better her craft and her heart lies in telling stories that can move and empower her audience. She hopes to have a long and sustained career as an artist and play a myriad of roles that make you laugh, cry, and feel less alone.
Instagram: @rytash
Rummana Yamanie
(Indonesia)
Rummana is a Jakarta/Bandung-based multidisciplinary artist. She graduated from LASALLE College of The Arts in Singapore with a BA (Hons) from the Acting Program.
Her works predominantly focus on performance, both stage and film. Since her return to Indonesia, she has been actively involved in Theatre productions with various collaborators such as Drupadi.ID, Jakarta Players, Teater Asa, etc.. After completing the Suzuki & Viewpoints Actor training program with SITI Company in New York, she shares this training method in Indonesia. She has conducted workshops in Huma Ark Jakarta, Rasasastra (2022 Ubud Writer’s Festival), and also with Wahana Kreator Indonesia, to name a few. She has also been the Acting Coach for both film and series. At the moment, Rummana is in production for the play Superia: Suara Perempuan Indonesia, a collaboration with Institut Ungu and Yayasan Bersama. The show is scheduled to open in 2024.
Instagram: @rummayay
Musicians
Jack Burmeister
(Australia)
Composer/Musician
Jack Burmeister is a Composer and Sound Designer who is passionate about finding synergy between his work and other forms of media, believing that music should work to heighten the viewer’s overall experience. Using elements of orchestral, acoustic, electronic, and choral textures, Jack creates diverse sonic soundscapes to enhance the atmosphere and mood in any given work.
Having graduated from the University of Melbourne/VCA with a degree in Music (Interactive Composition), his notable credits include Sound Designer and Composer for MOTHERLOD_^E and The World According to Dinosaurs (Frenzy Theatre Co. 2023), SLUTNIK™ 2: Planet of the Incels (Theatre Works, 2023), CULT (MC Showroom, 2023) and NIUSIA (Motley Bauhaus, 2023) which was the recipient of the “Industry Ready” award in the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2023.
Jack was the sound designer and composer for The Theatre of Others Audio New Play Festival working on Thief, Galatea, and Tales from Arcadia (2021), Whale Song, Success in Contemporary Corporate Praxis, Beautiful, and Sugarbag (2022), Firespeak, Barrelhouse, Sob Story, and Meet me at Liberation (2023) developing and producing thirteen exciting new audio plays from Australia, Singapore, Egypt, and America. Jack also co-composed the music for Australian comedian Christian Hull’s web series Discomfort Zone (2021).
He is excited to be in Dubai with the Theatre of Others as a performer in Bright Light Burning at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).
jack@theatreofothers.com
Instagram: @jack_burmeister
Arwa Hezzah
(Egypt/UAE)
Musician/Singer
Arwa Hezzah, an Egyptian actress and professional musician, has over half a decade of diverse experience in theater, film, and music. In the realm of acting, Arwa has garnered acclaim for her roles in various theater and film projects. As a skilled singer/songwriter, Arwa has contributed her melodic talents to multiple venues around Cairo and beyond, adding a musical dimension to her artistic repertoire. Her commitment to both acting and music reflects a passion for storytelling through different mediums.
Currently pursuing a degree in Musical Theater at the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, Arwa is dedicated to refining her craft and expanding her knowledge.
Instagram: @arwamusics and @arwahezzah
Creative Team
Adam Marple
(USA/Egypt)
Producer/Director
Adam Marple is the Co-Artistic Director of The Theatre of Others and the co-host of The Theatre of Others Podcast (with over 20,000 listeners in over 90 countries and amongst the top 5% of podcasts worldwide),
Adam has directed over 50 productions and interdisciplinary works Regionally and Off-Broadway in the Americas, Europe, The Middle East/North Africa (MENA), Australia, and South East Asia. His latest production Steven Gaultney’s Bright Light Burning has been commissioned by the British Embassy Gulf Strategy fund to perform at the UN COP28 Climate Conference held in Dubai. It will perform at the UK Pavilion and the Children and Youth Pavilion in the UN Secured Blue Zone, and the EXTREME Hangout, Youth Hub, and Main Amphitheater in the public-facing Green Zone, as well as The Mohammed bin Rashid Library and The University of Birmingham Dubai. The Earth Turns- a Climate-Inspired Performance for COP27, a performance and action event, was selected by The Global Stocktake as an official side event performed in the UN-controlled Blue Zone for delegates in the Tonnino Lamborghini International Conference Center of the COP27 Climate Conference held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. It was additionally invited to perform for the public in the Peace Pavilion amphitheater of the Green Zone.
He is also the founder of The Sustainable Theatre Network, an organization dedicated to not only addressing resource management and practices but also creating sustainable models for creation without losing aesthetic value. Accessible as an Open Source/Creative Commons website dedicated to sharing best practices in sustainable theatre-making alongside a platform where the theatre schools and organizations from the network each share their research and productions, with performances created for COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and COP28 in Dubai, UAE.
He has been on the faculties of the School of Dance and Theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore where he taught in the Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre, and Music programs, he was Visiting Professor of Theatre at Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) in Mexico and is currently Assistant Professor of Directing at American University in Cairo. He has taught and directed internationally at the Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, as well as at the Center for Cultural Decontamination (CZKD)- Serbia, Orvieto Sperimentazione Teatro- Italy, La MaMa Umbria-Italy, Kyoto University of Art and Design-Japan, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Chulalongkorn University- Bangkok, National School of Drama-India, Goldsmiths University of London, The Victorian College of the Arts at University of Melbourne, and The American University of Beirut, and the University of Tennessee
He holds a B.F.A in Acting from the Professional Actor Training Program at Wright State University, and an M.F.A in Directing from Columbia University in the City of New York
adam@theatreofothers.com
Instagram: @boots_and_sunglasses
Steven Gaultney
(USA)
Playwright
Steven, a Brooklyn-based playwright, is the resident playwright and dramaturg for The Theatre of Others, producing his plays Negligence, Limb from Limb, and Bright Light Burning.
He is a Co-Founder of the Theatre of Others Annual New Play Festival. He has acted as a mentor and dramaturg for playwrights from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Russia, Ireland, the U.S., Bangladesh, and Egypt. He is the host of Work with Others, a free communal playwriting event, which takes place each month where participants spend time writing in community online. Work with Others is an opportunity to set aside time each month to write alongside members of the Theatre of Others community all over the world with time devoted to a group discussion about the art and practice of playwriting.
His work has also been developed by Chautauqua Theatre Company and Theatre for a New Audience in New York City. His plays include A Thousand Ships at the Bottom of the Sea, Limb from Limb, Negligence, and Adam’s Dream. M.F.A.: Columbia University.
steven@theatreofothers.com
Instagram: @stevengaultney
stevengaultney.com
Joshua Waterstone
(USA)
Live Editor/Digital Technical Director
Joshua Waterstone is a theatre and filmmaker who utilizes storytelling and imaginative play as a means of widening perspectives and sparking dialogue. Joshua is the Digital Technical Director for The Theatre of Others and has digitally produced, designed, and broadcast Steven Gaultney's play Limb from Limb, the TOO 100th Episode Anniversary, and the Teacher Salon Series.
In theatrical Digital Production & Broadcasting he has also worked with foolsFURY’s BUILD from Here: The Future of Ensemble Theater, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Gala The Much Ado, San Francisco Youth Theatre, San Carlos Children’s Theater, foolsFURY’s digital convening BUILD Forward, the French-American International School, and as the Digital Technical Director for Fuse Theatre’s COEXIST virtual theatre festival.
Joshua holds a Master of Fine Arts in Directing for Stage and Screen from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. Joshua is an Actor/Combatant and member of the Society of American Fight Directors and an Associate-Member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers.
website: http://waterstonejoshua.wix.com/director
Instagram: @joshuawaterstone
Christie Karen Chang
(Hong Kong)
Creative Producer
Christie Chang is a creative producer, versatile performer, and TV artist at TVB — the leading television company in Hong Kong. A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, specializing in Music Theatre, Christie honed her skills as an actor, storyteller, and performer. Additionally, she pursued a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology, gaining valuable insights into the industry.
Christie's talents extend beyond the stage as she has made her mark as a creative producer, bringing captivating shows to life. Her keen eye for detail and storytelling captivate audiences, leaving a lasting impact. In 2019, she wrote her first musical in Mandarin, it was selected as one of the top five entries in the Chinese Musical Theater Writing Incubation Program by the Shanghai Cultural Square, showcasing her talent for crafting compelling narratives that transcend language barriers.
Beyond her work as a performer and creative producer, Christie has actively contributed to the performing arts scene through her involvement in the Shanghai Performing Arts Festival. She lead and curated the investment program, connecting Chinese investors with international performing arts programs, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.
As an emerging creative producer, Christie aspires to craft groundbreaking, original works that bring together talents worldwide, weaving authentic narratives that resonate with audiences. Her career has led to collaborations with theater companies and festivals in New York, Toronto, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, reflecting her steadfast commitment to nurturing global artistic connections. In a world where creativity flourishes boundlessly, Christie invites everyone to join her on this exciting journey of exploration and inspiration.
Email: christie@theatreofothers.com
Instagram: @christie_chang
Adrian Eppel
(Australia)
Videographer
Adrian Eppel is a filmmaker and director passionate about Western films and big ideas. However, above all else, he values the importance of storytelling and the human connection.
In his work, he strives to create thrilling, adventurous, deeply emotional, and relatable films. He believes that the best films can transport the audience to another world while also making them feel seen and understood.
With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to authenticity, Adrian Eppel is a director to watch out for.
Instagram: @adrianeppel and @_agrade
Austin Paley
(USA/Australia)
Videographer
Hailing from the original home of Oz, Lawrence, Kansas (LFK) native Austin Paley is a filmmaker and videographer with a background in verité style documentary shooting.
Cutting his production teeth in New York City, he built a network of clients in commercial, marketing, branding, and live event productions, as well as shooting for feature length documentaries.
Through collaborations with Australian director Eren Besiroglu (Myrteza Blue) and American directors Jeremy S. Levine and Landon van Soest (For Ahkeem), Austin has seen his documentary work premiere at Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. Now residing full time in Australia, Austin is working in a range of projects including news gathering for Iran International Television, the Australian Open, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and has shot for Australian television shows The Block and Master Chef.
Instagram: @austinpaley_
Karim Hamad
(Egypt)
Project Manager
Karim Hamad is an acclaimed Egyptian actor who has starred in several films and stage performances, most recently Tawfiq El Hakim’s Bank El Qalaq and Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of our Teeth. He was a featured performer in The Earth Turns- a Climate-Inspired Performance for COP27, a performance and action event, that was selected by The Global Stocktake as an official side event performed in the UN-controlled Blue Zone for delegates and was additionally invited to perform for the public in the Peace Pavilion amphitheater of the Green Zone of the COP27 Climate Conference held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The Earth Turns- audio play has been released on The Theatre of Others podcast (with over 20,000 listeners across 90 countries and amongst the top 5% of podcasts in the world) and can be found on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen. A member of the internationally lauded The Theatre of Others, he is the project manager of Bright Light Burning, performing at COP28 at The UK Pavilion in the Blue Zone, The Green Zone Stage, The EXTREME Hangout in the Green Zone, The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, and The Etihad Museum.
Instagram: @karimfhamad
Costumes thoughtfully provided by
Doodlage India upcycles factory waste into short limited edition collections. Recycle post-consumer waste and post-cutting scraps into new fabrics to create seasonless well finished garments made for longevity. Wastage is segregated and converted into accessories, soft furnishing products, and paper to make our packaging or stationery products. All our pieces and fabrics are made with ethical production units and our packaging is designed to be plastic-free. You can now connect with us to Declutter your wardrobe and we will take care of everything that you no longer want or fit into.
The Theatre of Others
The Theatre of Others is an internationally lauded not-for-profit theatre company with members across 11 countries and 5 continents that brings together a diverse community of artists and audiences to explore profound contemporary issues through the prism of theatrical performances. Established in 2011, we strive to welcome and challenge the audience through productions, fostering a rich environment for international collaboration and intensive study of the artistic craft, thereby acting as a nurturing laboratory for artists. The Theatre of Others podcast (on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen) with over 200 episodes is among the top 5% of podcasts in the world and has 20,000 listeners across 90 countries
The Theatre of Others stands as a beacon of artistic expression and a catalyst for critical discourse and community engagement on pressing global issues. Through varied projects, we endeavor to foster a shared space for reflection, dialogue, and collective envisioning of a more responsible and empathetic world.
The Theatre of Others is deeply invested in climate discourse, as seen in the production The Earth Turns in COP 27. Following the success of last year’s UN Climate Change Conference, The Theatre of Others is, once again, invited to perform and build community at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates.
University of Exeter Green Futures’ We Are the Possible
We Are The Possible is a collaborative interdisciplinary project that seeks to co-create new narratives to help us understand our role as responsible beings with agency to imagine and forge a liveable future. Working at the interface of science, health, education, and the arts, it has brought together hundreds of people from the UK and UAE to reflect upon the plight of our planet and deliver a creative and inspiring response to catalyze climate actions and solutions. Harnessing the beauty and power of poetry, education, theatre, and music, it is taking its outputs to COP28 where it will directly address world leaders.
Led by the University of Exeter, and funded by the British Embassy Gulf Strategy Fund, We Are the Possible brings together a host of major organizations, including the Emirates Literature Foundation, the Met Office, BIMM Institute, Khorfakkan University, the Theatre of Others, British Council UAE, the British Embassy in the UAE, and a network of schools in UAE and UK.
The Sustainable Theatre Network
The Sustainable Theatre Network’s mission is simple yet profound: to create and showcase theatrical productions that champion sustainability, eco-consciousness, and the urgent need for action on climate change. We are dedicated to merging the art of theatre with a commitment to a greener, more sustainable world.
The Sustainable Theatre Network is an organization dedicated to not only addressing resource management and practices but also creating sustainable models for creation without losing aesthetic value. With a network spanning 15 countries and growing, we bring together artists, thinkers, and activists from around the world to create impactful theatre. Our international collaborations ensure that our productions reflect diverse perspectives and tackle global issues.
The Sustainable Theatre Network is an international partnership of theatre schools and organizations dedicated to researching, creating, codifying, and amplifying less wasteful theatre practices worldwide for use at all levels of theatre-making, from large State-run National theatres to small student-led projects. Accessible as an Open Source/Creative Commons website (https://www.sustainable-theatre.org) dedicated to sharing best practices in sustainable theatre-making alongside a platform where the theatre schools and organizations from the network each share their own research and productions. Each theatrical work speaks to and deals with the issues and challenges of the place where it is made and solves them with local resources.
The Sustainable Theatre Network's commitment to sustainability extends beyond COP28. Throughout the COP year, from December 23 to November 24, we will continue to bring you thought-provoking performances that address pressing environmental issues. Our productions will inspire ongoing dialogue and action, ensuring that sustainability remains at the forefront of our collective consciousness.
Special Thanks
Cecilia Mañosa-Nyblon, Sally Flint, Ian Fussel, and the whole team from The University of Exeter Green Futures.
Amanda Buckley and The British Embassy Gulf Strategy Fund.
Amber Nuttal and EXTREME Hangout, Henrik Stahl and The University of Khorfakkan/Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, and The Etihad Museum
Our GoFundMe Supporters:
John Marple, Fei Sun, Rachel Veto, Christie Chang, Peter Cook, Coral Cohen, Jan Gabriel deal Cruz, Suzanne Lenz, Christopher Illing, Angel Alejandro Moreno, Robert Waterstone, Briana Hunter, Sally Clarke, Nicole Snelson, Raphael Lecat, Wednesday Derrico, Andrew Martin, Valerie Miller, Amanda Gaultney, David Chang, Crenshaw Yeo, Allan Nazareno, Aaron Haskell, and Stephen Anthony Whiley.
And finally, You! Theatre is not complete until an audience is present and we are so honored that you have helped us complete what has taken so much time, effort, and creativity. We make this for you.