Blending theatrical conventions, choreographed movement, poetry, and artistic experiments with machine learning, (Machine) Learning to Be is a participatory, devised, hybrid multimedia performance experience that engages with Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and their societal impacts. The performance features an interactive choreographic interface that aims to engage AI as embodiment technologies and human and AI characters that aim to convey the multifaceted nature of AI, its dangers and possibilities for our communities. Rooted in visions of decolonial AI, (Machine) Learning to Be seeks to challenge established systems of control and envision more equitable futures alongside AI technology.

Both online and in-person, (Machine) Learning to Be directly engages participants in the process of world-making. This work aims to spark a conversation around the possibilities and impacts of AI on the human body and society, using the hybrid performance model to expand access to the conversation for all who wish to engage.

The performance had a developmental workshop with public sharing at Brown University in August 2024, produced in collaboration with Brown Arts Institute as part of the inaugural Brown Arts IGNITE Series, and will be presented at Progress Lab 1422 in Vancouver (Canada) in May 2025 in partnership with Theatre Conspiracy. Aspects of the performance and creation process will be presented in the Huret & Spector Gallery at Emerson College (Boston) in March 2025.

Video by Evan Haacke

Creation Process: Highlights

Performance developmental workshop with two public showings, produced in collaboration with Brown Arts Institute as part of the inaugural Brown Arts IGNITE Series (Granoff Center for the Creative Arts, August 2024)

  • Mariah Azoti-Wright

  • Evan Haacke

  • Ioana Jucan

  • Ioana Jucan

  • Ioana Jucan

  • SH
  • BO2

  • Evan Haacke

  • Qiwen Ju

Performance Credits:

  • Co-created by: Ioana B. Jucan, Katherine Helen Fisher, Jae Neal, Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo, Tushar Mathew, David Mesiha, Aidan Nelson, Sahar Sajadieh, Gavan Cheema
  • Artistic director: Ioana B. Jucan
  • Spacial, visual, and set designer and technical director: David Mesiha
  • Choreographer: Katherine Helen Fisher
  • Associate choreographer: Jae Neal
  • Performers: Jae Neal, Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo, Tushar Mathew
  • Computational artists: Aidan Nelson, Sahar Sajadieh, Mingyong Cheng, Yuguang Zhang
  • Online venue developer and designer: Aidan Nelson
  • Dramaturg: Gavan Cheema
  • Composer: Kite
  • Assistant composer: Oga Li
  • Production manager: Maya Rubio
  • Assistant producer: Mariah Azoti-Wright
  • Producing assistant: Marcela Mancino
  • Production assistant and performance doula: Soraya Omtzigt
  • Stage manager: Maxime Hendrikse Liu
  • Consulting producer: Sydney Skybetter

    See here for additional credits.

Performance development intensive hosted by the Brown Arts Institute 
(Brown University, November 2023)