Current Location (2018)

FOR AMPLIFIED CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

Current Location is an evolving project that began as a live musical score for a spoken play by Japanese playwright Toshiki Okada. The show was produced by the Stony Brook Theater Arts Department, and was directed by Mallory Catlett. Opting for a surreal mode, the play explores the psychological and societal impact of a contaminating disaster (a reference to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear disaster of 2011) on both a small community, and the nation at large.

In it’s concert format, Current Location, the instrumentation has been expanded to include percussion, as well as amplified prepared piano and celeste. The work also includes projected, episodic clips of the lush Japanese countryside, juxtaposed with subtle yet ominous signs of nuclear contamination. This footage is graciously provided courtesy of Beth Balaban and Beth Murphy, co-directors of the film Son of Fukushima, a documentary that “tells the story of one Japanese family whose life is impacted by two unthinkable nuclear tragedies.” The footage was edited and treated by the composer.

Samuel Beebe, electric guitar, electronics
John Ling, percussion
Niloufar Nourbakhsh, amplified prepared-piano, celesta

Inspired by “Current Location” by Toshiki Okada. Translation by Aya Ogawa.

Footage from "Son of Fukushima":
Beth Balaban, Co-Director, Co-Producer, Director of Photography
Beth Murphy, Co-Director, Co-Producer
www.fukushimadocumentary.com

Video edited by Samuel Beebe