Ari Rudenko here, founder and artistic director of Prehistoric Body Theater (prehistoricbody.org).  We are a paleontology-inspired cross-cultural performance company based between my hometown Seattle (USA) and Bali (Indonesia), where I have been working since 2012.  Ghosts of Hell Creek is Prehistoric Body Theater's main-stage theater experience, which immerses audiences in an epic tale of our evolutionary ancestors, and how they survived the apocalyptic asteroid impact which ended the reign of the dinosaurs.  The story is brought to life on stage through the evocative use of layered clay makeup and set installation, hypnotic lighting, and organic bass-heavy sound design.

    Ghosts of Hell Creek has been built in prototype stages under mentorship with leading paleontologists and in collaboration with a dynamic community of Indonesian dancers.   By working cross-culturally with Indonesian artists, Prehistoric Body Theater opens an unprecedented conversation between science and world culture on the nature of our human identity and origins.   Now, I am laying the groundwork to bring Ghosts of Hell Creek on tour internationally out of Bali, featuring a unique ensemble of dancers from Java, Bali, Borneo, Papua, and beyond.

     After years of prototyping, it's time to build the final world-class touring version of Ghosts of Hell Creek!  To raise the piece to its full potential, we need a deep and sustained rehearsal phase with the dancers to develop an even stronger and more intricate choreography.  We also need administrative resources to manage tour development.  Moreover, our team comes from all over Indonesia, so we need a central hub from which to manage the project.  This is Prehistoric Body Launchpad!

     We need your support to build the Launchpad!   Your generous $25,000 will fund: 

         - Renting a residency house in Bali to serve as a communal living space and office for Prehistoric Body Theater   

         - Paid rehearsals for the dancers and team in preparation for touring 

         - Fees for administrative staff and services         

         - Final props and set design
 

WHAT IS GHOSTS OF HELL CREEK?

     66 million years ago, a massive asteroid struck the Earth with the force of a billion atomic bombs.  Ghosts of Hell Creek tells the terrifying tale of Acheroraptor, the last magnificently feathered raptor dinosaur who prowled the Hell Creek flood-jungles of prehistoric Montana before her total annihilation in the ensuing apocalyptic mass extinction.   Ghosts of Hell Creek then tells the miraculous survival story of Purgatorius, our ancient primate ancestor who rose from the ashes of the asteroid impact, and thrived on the first fruit as the world was born anew.

     I researched for Ghosts of Hell Creek under mentorship with leading paleontologists, including Hell Creek Project director Dr. Greg Wilson.  In 2017, we won the Bergstrom Award for Art-Science Interface, a significant grant which supported my extended research process with the scientists.  As the artist-in-residence at Hell Creek, I worked alongside the paleontologists to unearth the bones of Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and our star Acheroraptor.   I got more than a crash course in the scientific process, I also had a powerful spiritual and artistic connection with the very real world of our performance's story.  

     Ghosts of Hell Creek has been developed through three prototype stages, first as an experimental film shot in Indonesia (available for all backers who pledge over $25!), second as a live stage show in Seattle with a diverse USA-based cast, and third as a 2019 live performance series and intensive residency in Bali.

     For a detailed description of the performance, its history, and collaboration with paleontologists, visit www.prehistoricbody.org/about and open the link to the Oxford University Press article "Prehistoric Body Theater: bringing paleontology narratives to global contemporary performance audiences."  

OUR TEAM

Director: Ari Rudenko
Assistant Director: Sofyan Joyo Utomo
Dancers: Abu Grey Lobubun, Aji Dukun, Akbar W, Alan ilunD, Alfo Smith, Bagus Pulung Tilamas, Boy Mahmudi, Erwin Mardiansyah, Jasmine Okubo, Jiaqi Kyki Li, Krisna Satya, Mekratingrum Hapsari, Natasha Rafizi, Putri Wartawati, Selvinia Yunita, Tengku Arre Syarifah, Tio Kipli, Tyoba Bond
Lighting Design: Peter Bracilano, Aji Sangiaji
Music and Sound Composers: Mo’ong Santoso Pribadi, Ari Rudenko
Production Assistants: Akbar W, Trina Acacia
Director of Photography: Muhammad Fauzy Chaniago
Director of Videography: Dibal Ranuh, Andre Triadiputra 

Visit the Ghosts of Hell Creek ARCHIVE for full credits and photo gallery

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For questions and comments, please message Ari Rudenko at arirudenko (at) prehistoricbody (dot) org.