the wastelands
The Wastelands is an outdoor, traveling experimental folk opera based loosely on Dante’s Purgatorio, investigating the seven stages of grief. Conceived, Composed, and Directed by Walken Schweigert. Following Dante and Virgil through the seven terraces of Purgatory, The Wastelands takes audiences and performers on a journey guided by visual, musical, and kinesthetic poetry through places that have been abused and abandoned by industry. The Wastelands toured from May 1st-October 9th, 2016 in cities and towns along the Great Lakes basin, produced by local social and environmental justice groups. Buffalo NY, Cleveland OH, Lorain OH, Detroit MI, Mackinaw City MI, Duluth MN, Minneapolis MN, Holyoke, MA, Disputanta, KY, Osceola, WI.
THE GARDEN
The Garden was conceived and Directed by Walken Schweigert, Produced and Created by Open Flame Theatre. Music by CRUNE (Walken Schweigert and Matthew Ryan Surline). The Garden is an original, surrealist, circus opera that is a journey through the underworld, created and performed by an all-transgender ensemble. Premiered at Philadelphia Community Farm in Osceola, WI.