Episode 21: Bringing Quantum Science to Life On Stage

In this episode of The Quantum Spin by HKA, host Veronica Combs interviews Nancy Kawalek, a Professor and Distinguished Fellow in the Arts, Science, and Technology at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Nancy shares her journey from a theater performer in New York to a professor integrating arts and science at UC Santa Barbara and the University of Chicago. They discuss the inception and evolution of STAGE, an initiative that combines arts and science to produce theater, films, and games. Highlighting projects such as “Curiosity” and the Quantum Casino, Nancy explains how STAGE uses improvisation and experimentation to tell stories about quantum entanglement and superposition.

00:00 Welcome to The Quantum Spin

00:43 Introducing Nancy Kawalek

01:10 Nancy's Journey to the Pritzker School

04:31 The Birth of STAGE

06:21 STAGE's Evolution and Projects

09:26 The Quantum Theater Project

17:54 Improvisation and Science

25:29 Quantum Games and Public Engagement

27:34 Curiosity Series and Future Projects

28:40 Conclusion and Farewell

Nancy Kawalek is Professor and Distinguished Fellow in the Arts, Sciences and Technology at the University of Chicago. As Director of the STAGE Lab at the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering, her research focuses on the creation and development of artistic endeavors inspired by science and technology, using a collaborative process modeled after the exploratory investigations of experimental science. Some of her recent projects include the Quantum Casino, a suite of card and digital games based on core principles of quantum mechanics; Curiosity: The Making of a Scientist, a documentary series that investigates the human side of science; and Entanglement, a multimedia theatre piece that harnesses the power of storytelling to bring an understanding of quantum physics to the public. Additionally, Kawalek has over twenty-five years of experience in the professional theatre world as an actor, director, and writer, working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional theatres across the United States, as well as in film and television.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠