The Cubiculo was the site of some experimentation this weekend during the debut of “Paradiz’d: A Creation by MoMent,” an interactive theater production inspired by American musician Grant Hart’s vocal rendition of English poet John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”

Assistant Professor of Theatre Design Kent Barrett and interdisciplinary artist Mary Olin “Mo” Geiger created the show, which turned spectators into participants of the technicolor production. They spent the summer developing it specifically for Dickinson’s The Cubiculo theater.

The show included unconventional incorporated elements, from board games and news clippings to creative lighting displays and a live band. 

According to Sarah Blocher ’18, who assisted in the “organization, construction and structure” of the production, the show was different each night it was performed.

“Because it relies heavily on audience interaction to create the experience, it never could be the same every night. Every audience member will have reacted differently to the stimulus presented to them, therefore the show is in a constant state of flux.”

The show was not a literal translation of Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” but was meant to convey the feelings that Barrett and Geiger had while reading the book. “The feelings of confusion, of density, of erraticism, and frankly, the boredom of it all,” said Barrett. 

Barrett and Geiger researched Milton’s text thoroughly and incorporated descriptive elements from the poem into their contemporary piece. “We looked at other people who interpreted the text in a variety of ways,” said Barrett, and “how any story told from multiple perspectives keeps growing and changing… based on the lens of the person telling and viewing.” 

Elizabeth Price ’22 said she was impressed by how interactive “Paradiz’d” was. “I thought it was really interesting, like, how the process was devised and how they came up with the idea, considering that it’s going to be so difficult and so different on each night,” she said. 

Dickinson students had positive reactions to the creativity and individuality of the piece. 

Josh Bennett ’20 enjoyed the production, as “it was unlike anything I’ve ever really seen before, even on Dickinson where we do kind of weird stuff. It was very refreshing to see something completely different.”

“There was a lot going on… some parts are good and some parts are confusing, but that’s life and that’s hell, apparently,” said Emily McFerran ’21. 

Josie Altucher ’21 said “It was like bringing all of the world and just media and culture into one room and then bringing my mind, my scatterbrained mind out… it was a lot, but it was amazing.”

Barrett and Geiger hope that people walk away from “Paradiz’d” with their own interpretations. “It is an abstract piece,” Barrett said. “One of the recurring elements of our research and work is that through telling and re-telling, a story or event can morph over the course of time into something completely different than when it began… The moment they experience it in a shared space of creation is what we hope unites everyone together.” 

The production was presented to the Dickinson and Carlisle community on Thursday, Sept. 6 to Saturday, Sept. 8. at the Cubiculo.