For over two hundred years, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has haunted our days and chilled our dreaming nights. Celebrate and explore the enduring legacy of the world’s first science-fiction horror story with FRANKENCON, a two-day conference of scientists, theorists, and artists at UC Santa Cruz. The conference is in conjunction with the Theater Arts Department production of The Frankenstein Project, written and directed by Kirsten Brandt.
FrankenCon 2019 is presented by The Humanities Institute and The Division of the Arts at UC Santa Cruz, with the support of Porter College, Crown College, The Science & Justice Research Center, The Theater Arts Department, Oakes College, and the Department of Art & Design: Games & Playable Media; and with the generosity of our friends at DNA's Comedy Lab & Experimental Theatre and Good Times Santa Cruz.
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FREE and open to the public.
Parking permit required at UCSC. More parking information here.
FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Thursday, November 21, 2019, DNA's Comedy Lab & Experimental Theatre (off-campus event in downtown Santa Cruz at 155 S. River St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
7PM & 8:30PM, DNA's Comedy Lab
FILM SCREENINGS: Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Two back-to-back film screenings at 7PM and 8:30PM followed by a film talk + Q&A led by some of Santa Cruz's biggest monster experts.
Panelists: Steve Palopoli (Good Times editor), Michael Chemers (UCSC Theater Arts), Renee Fox (UCSC Literature), Tad Leckman (UCSC Computational Media)
Please note: this is a ticketed event presented by CineLab Movies with a Twist, a new weekly event series at DNA's Comedy Lab. Conference attendees and general public may purchase tickets here or at the door on the day of the event.
Friday, November 22, 2019 – Digital Arts Research Center (DARC) & Mainstage (Theater Arts Center)
3:00PM, DARC-308
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: The Legacy of Frankenstein
The conference opens with a discussion of the impact of Frankenstein on the last two centuries of literature, theatre, film, and games with faculty from UC Santa Cruz.
Moderator: Michael Chemers (Theater Arts)
Respondents: Marshall Leicester (Literature), micha cárdenas (Art & Design: Games & Playable Media), Renée Fox (Literature), Michael Chemers (Theater Arts)
7:30PM, Mainstage
A performance of The Frankenstein Project, a feminist and biotechnology-fueled play adaptation of Frankenstein, written and directed by Kirsten Brandt.
A "Talk back" Q&A will follow directly after the performance featuring the cast and crew of The Frankenstein Project and conference participants.
Please note: this is a ticketed event presented by UCSC Theater Arts Department. Conference attendees and general public may purchase tickets here or at the door on the day of the event.
Saturday, November 23, 2019 – Second Stage (Theater Arts Center) & the Digital Arts Research Center (DARC)
10:00AM–10:45AM, Second Stage
CONFERENCE FOCUS: Kiersten White
Michael Chemers has a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White on the development of her novel, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, with audience Q&A.
11:00AM—12:45PM, Second Stage
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Science & Ethics
What is “mad science” and how do we guard ourselves against it? What has Frankenstein taught scientists and cultural critics about the dangers of science without conscience?
Moderator: Michael Chemers (Theater Arts)
Panelists: George Blumenthal (Astronomy & Astrophysics), David Haussler (Genomics Institute), Nandini Bhattacharya (Mathematics) and Jenny Reardon (Science & Justice Research Center).
2:00PM, Second Stage
CONFERENCE FOCUS: Jennifer Haley
Michael Chemers has a conversation with playwright and TV writer Jennifer Haley about the ways she combines technology and horror in her writing (The Nether, Hemlock Grove, Mindhunter), with audience Q&A.
3:00PM, Second Stage
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Adapting Frankenstein
In this panel, three artistic creators discuss their relationship to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the challenges/delights of reinterpreting its themes for modern audiences.
Moderator: Michael Chemers (Theater Arts)
Panelists: Kiersten White, Jennifer Haley, and Kirsten Brandt
5:00PM, DARC-308
Dessert reception for guests and attendees, featuring Frankencupcakes!
(Please note: DARC-308 is in the Digital Arts Research Center and is a short walk from the Second Stage following the final conference roundtable discussion.)