This experience is part of the Annwn Prize, a new global prize celebrating immersive storytelling from artists around the world. Nominated by an international community of curators and commentators, four shortlisted works come to Wales Millennium Centre, inviting you to step inside the story. Four worlds, one venue.
Step into total darkness and become the centre of a shifting constellation. NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars) is an immersive, interactive, light and sound installation guiding each visitor through an internal monologue about grief, community, and the one-way-ness of time. It is ultimately a story about you.
Andrew Schneider’s powerful installation draws you into a contemplative and deeply personal encounter with time, memory and presence. An interactive theatrical installation where the audience steps into total darkness and become the centre of a shifting constellation. Guided by an unseen narrator, participants journey from complete sensory deprivation into a precisely programmed matrix of nearly 4,000 reactive LED lights and a 496-channel soundscape. The work draws visitors into a hyper-focus of the present, tracing every decision they have made leading to that precise moment. The selection committee praised its highly original approach to spatial storytelling, precise technical virtuosity and masterful pacing that invites audiences to reflect on how we spend our time and the meaning we discover in everyday acts.
Part-meditation, part-exploration, this dazzling fusion of tech and theatre is a rare chance to get lost in the stars.
“The work I make is highly technical, but It is not about the technology. I am more interested in the application of the technology and how it can bring us closer together, shake us from the synthetic, and offer a genuine experience to every audience member’s consciousness, rather than just watching something “over there”. I am interested in how creating meaningful time-based experiences can lead to more meaningful human-to-human interaction. ” — Andrew Schneider
Credits
Concept, Writing, Composition, and Fabrication: Andrew Schneider
Lighting and Sound Design: Andrew Schneider
Co-Sound Design: Bobby McElver
Sound Supervisor:Jørgen Noodt Skjærvold
Additional Software Engineering: Oren Shoham
Dramaturgical Consultant: ayo ohs
Production Manager:Karl Allen
Associate Producer: Lily Comeau
Produced by Jecca Barry / Fin Productions
Dedication: “Dad, Jim, and HNC"
NOWISWHENWEARE was originally produced by Miranda Wright + Los Angeles Performance Practice. Development was made possible with support from The Brown Arts Institute, Carleton College Arts and Technology Initiative, The Simons Foundation and Science Sandbox, The Voxel, The Onassis Foundation, The Sundance Institute Interdisciplinary Program, and Eliko Industries.
Special thanks to Sonia Baidya, Karl Allen, Vallejo Gantner, Xuan Huang, ayo Ohs, Ryan Peng, Yulia Strizheus, Chris Ashworth and The Voxel.
With the support of
The Brown Arts Institute
The Onassis Foundation
Carleton College
The Voxel
The Simons Foundation
The Ucross Foundation
La Jolla Playhouse
Eliko Industries
Booking Tickets:
You can book for each individual experience by clicking on the pages below and selecting your ticket price and time:
Earlybird (valid 27-31 May): Standard £6 / Concession £5
Standard: £8
Concession: £6
When booking for all 4 experiences in one go (this can be for different dates, but must be booked in one transaction), you will receive a package discount:
Earlybird (valid 27-31 May): Standard £20 / Concession £18
Standard: £25
Concession: £20
Schools, colleges and universities, please get in touch with us directly for a bespoke package at tickets@wmc.org.uk.
Please note, it is your responsibility to manage your time between experiences if booking for multiple in one day. Please take into consideration running times (noted on the experience pages), travel between venues and other time constraints that may be out of our control. It will not always be possible to book you automatically into the next time slot.
Opening times:
Tuesday-Thursday: 12.20pm-8pm (Last entry 7.20pm)
Friday-Sunday: 11.20am-8pm (Last entry 7.20pm)
Running Time: 30 minute experience, however you are welcome to stay as long as you like. Please note that at busy times, you may be asked to wait before entry.
Capacity: 15
Age Guidance: 12+
Access: This is a non-seated, interactive experience in which audience members are free to move around the space. The venue is wheelchair and walker accessible, and chairs can be provided on request. Please note: there will be periods of complete darkness and occasional loud noises.
Warnings: The performance includes non-explicit infrequent references to sex and masturbation and words that may be considered inappropriate for young children. Contains flashing lights, loud noises and periods of complete darkness.
Language: English
FAQs
What can I expect from the experience?
NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars) is a light installation piece, you'll be expected to traverse the installation space guided by a meditative narrative. You won't need to use any equipment in the space.
What are the health and safety measures?
This experience contains moments of darkness, flashing lights and loud noise that may be disorientating for individuals who are neurodiverse, have hearing or sight impairments, or experience vertigo, epilepsy, dizziness, seizures, motion sickness or fainting.
Trained facilitators will be on hand to provide support and guidance throughout the experience should you require it.
Any guests arriving for the experience who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to take part.