Panic Encyclopeida

Six performers exist together–in a basement, a bunker, away from the danger of the world yet remain tied to it in some way. The structures that oppress us want us to feel panic – want us to feel helpless – isolated—alone.

Panic Encyclopedia comes in the form of community and accessible art-making. Rooted in theatrical intensity, collective humanity, and a love of play; we have constructed our own Panic Encyclopedia in hopes of illuminating and detaching ourselves from the way in which fear and anxiety are inflicted upon us as much as initiated within ourselves.

Arthur Kroker’s 1989 book, Panic Encyclopedia, defines EVERYTHING in terms of panic, and provides a rich source for exploring how our contemporary state of panic begs for a different kind of coping mechanism–a survival guide in the form of a theatrical encyclopedia. Structured from A-Z, the piece relies on vocal scores, movement, and song to carry you through numerous images — VCRs, devils, eggs in a frying pan, Guys and Dolls- to create a feeling of claustrophobia as performers try to avoid the apocalypse.