Click here to watch a short clip of Ocean Trilogy from Challenges
Click here to watch a short clip of Ocean Trilogy from Hopeful Possibilities

Ocean Trilogy is a performance and educational program highlighting innovations and new possibilities from cutting-edge ocean research. Science informs us that human activity is changing our ocean and our climate. For over a decade, Choreographer Fran Spector Atkins partnered with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to investigate how dance and science can work together to heighten awareness, promote conversation, and inspire responsible stewardship to protect our most precious natural resource.
 
In fall of 2020, in response to the Pandemic, we created a new film-version of, Ocean Trilogy, featuring young dancers ages 14-17 years old. Ocean Trilogy utilizes the arts to empower youth as climate action leaders. This project aligns with the United Nations stated goal to “amplify youth voices for climate change”.

Ocean Trilogy Performances and Engagement Programs
SpectorDance presents both live and film versions of Ocean Trilogy. We can also offer creative movement classes exploring themes from Ocean Trilogy.  Themes include ocean acidification, plastic pollution, the food web, extinction of species, climate change, the power of human imagination, engineering, bioluminescence, and cross-disciplinary partnership.
 
In 2021, we presented Ocean Trilogy at Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. In 2023, we will be presenting this program with Hartnell College in Salinas, California.

Ocean Trilogy Past Performances

 Alvin Ailey Studio (New York City)
Stanford University (Palo Alto)
Sunset Center (Carmel)
5th Annual Creativity at the Core Summer Institute
Summer Reading Program - Monterey County Free Libraries
New York Botanical Gardens as part of New York Climate Week
90th Anniversary Celebration at Monterey County Free Libraries
 Monterey Bay Aquarium Oceans 16 Conference
  Monterey Museum of Art
  Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
  Stanton Theater (King City)
SpectorDance (Marina)
Future Citizens Foundation (Salinas)
New Victory Theater (Santa Barbara)

Testimonials

"The show was wonderful, Fran! I’ve never seen anything like it. What a fresh, moving interpretation of the existential threat that our GHG emissions present – to our ocean and to ourselves. The dancers were both powerful and fragile, as we all are. Baba voiced some hard truths that I struggle with as a science communicator. The video and audio clips were clearly the result of patient, painstaking, thoughtful edits. It was breathtaking to experience these expert insights in juxtaposition with live movement. Tears came to my eyes several times, yet, I left motivated to push forward for collective action."
Kera Abrahma Panni - Monterey Bay Aquarium Science Communications
 
"Thank you again for a great performance tonight.  Ocean Trilogy has grown so much. I liked it before, but now I love it. The dancers are spectacular, the video montages are stunning, the addition of rap between dances is entertaining and thought provoking, and
the ending is uplifting."
Dr. George I. Matsumoto - Senior Education and Research Specialist Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

"Ocean Trilogy helps people connect profoundly with ocean issues more than we might just through our mind's ability to process information and connect dots. The impact goes deeper when our body or emotions become engaged, too. Jane Parker Ocean Trilogy helps people connect profoundly with ocean issues more than we might just through our mind's ability to process information and connect dots. The impact goes deeper when our body or emotions become engaged, too. "
Jane Parker - Former Monterey County Supervisor

Join Us! Catch The Wave!
For more information about for this work for live or virtual performances, workshops, or commissions
contact Fran Spector Atkins
831-601-8510
franspector5@gmail.com