Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Abbey Crowley '22 as Iris Photo by Youngsun Palmer 
When there are no consequences, who draws the lines? 'The Nether' by Jennifer Haley (March 12–14, Cornell University's Department of Performing and Media Arts) presents an eerie alternate future in which realms and avatars become increasingly real as laws and morals fade away online.

In 'The Nether', an ecological disaster has effectively ruined the natural world; the online realm becomes a virtual wonderland of sights and sensations that no longer exist in reality. One of the darkest corners of The Nether is The Hideaway, a picturesque Victorian manor run by Papa, or Sims as he's known on the outside. Sims is interrogated by Detective Morris, who seeks to impose real-world consequences for Sims' virtual behaviors. Throughout the investigation, Morris learns about other inhabitants of The Hideaway: both their real-world personas and the avatars they hide behind.

For director Bryan Hagelin '20, 'The Nether' is an opportunity to combine his academic interests as a double-major in information science and performing and media arts. "I am fascinated by the prospect of using theatre to explore the ways in which rapidly developing communication technology shapes our society and relationships," says Hagelin.

Performances of 'The Nether' are March 12 at 7:30 p.m., March 13 at 5:00 p.m., and March 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts.

v16i10