Fungal Computing Takes the Stage in Brooklyn Art Haus, NY

The Science in Theatre Festival (SIT), a women-led event that pairs artists with pioneering technologists, explores fungal intelligence through the Off-Broadway premiere of Fruiting Body on November 21.

Fruiting Body features a strong female protagonist, Yara, who navigates complex medical and existential issues. During her pregnancy, she communicates with fungal consciousness and grapples with difficult questions about risk, connection, and the unknown.

Fruiting Body was created specifically for SIT by playwright Hannah Simms in collaboration with Prof Andrew Adamatzky, a leading expert in fungal computing. Adamatzky, who studies the electrical patterns produced by fungi, brings his research to life in this theatrical work.

“If robots can use mushroom’s electrical signals to communicate with their surroundings, what else don’t we know about fungal intelligence?” said Tjasa Ferme, SIT’s founder and artistic director. “We’re thrilled to bring groundbreaking research to the theater, hoping to spark questions in the minds of a wider audience.”

Anand Mishra of Cornell’s Organic Robotics Lab, a lead author of a new groundbreaking study on mycelium-to-machine connection, joined a discussion after the performance.  Mishra’s research demonstrates how fungi can connect robots with the living environment by integrating mycelium into robotic systems.

By growing mycelium into the electronics of a robot, scientists showed how the edible king oyster mushroom can control the machine’s movements, such as twitching or rolling across a surface.

Danielle Trofe, a biodesigner and biomimicry expert, joined the discussion panel following the performance. She donated two mycelium lamps to raise funds and support the festival’s mission.

Other plays in the festival, also the fruit of collaborations between playwrights and scientists, explore topics such as living-cell robots applicable in precision medicine (The Last Word) and hormonal imbalances treated by influencers (Receptors).

Tickets available HERE.

About the Science in Theater Festival

Now in its third year, the Science in Theatre Festival is a women-led, seven-day exploration that brings together artists, scientists, and technologists. This year’s festival will be held at Brooklyn Art Haus from November 19-26. Each evening, the festival features a theatrical production alongside engaging talkbacks, science presentations, and panel discussions at the intersection of science and art. Three original plays, created for the event, delve into groundbreaking scientific concepts through the collaborative efforts of playwrights and researchers.

Featured Image: Courtesy of The Science in Theatre Festival (SIT)

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