NSU Drama presents “The Human Animal: From Ape to AI”

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University’s Drama department is preparing for their last show of 2024 at the NSU Playhouse. “The Human Experience: From Ape to AI” premieres at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the NSU Playhouse. Shows for Dec. 6 and 7 also start at 7:30 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. showtime on Sunday,  Dec. 8. The show was written and directed by NSU professor of Drama and local playwright, Christopher Miller.

Miller describes “The Human Experience: From Ape to AI” as a satirical exploration of humanity’s insane quest for progress that shows how humans will always work against their own best interests. The fast-paced play combines slapstick humor with dazzling magic tricks, showcasing the absurdities of human evolution and where it is headed.

Even though Miller has had other shows premier at larger venues, he has an extra layer of pride when a show premieres at the NSU Playhouse.

“There is something uniquely special about seeing your work come to life in the environment you are deeply connected to,” Miller said. “At NSU, I get to interact with incredible students who contribute a great deal and help to shape their roles in ways beyond an already established text. We aim to expose students to as many different styles and forms of theatre as possible to challenge them and help them grow. Working on new material is one of the most challenging things for everyone involved.”

Miller said one of the most thrilling aspects of any performance is watching the audience’s reaction.

“This is one of those plays that has moments of direct audience participation, which means they will help shape each performance beyond the conventional ways,” Miller said. “While the play is first and foremost a comedy depicting humanity’s milestones, there are moments I hope will cause some introspection on the audience’s part. We try to weave those into/alongside the comedy to make the show more dynamic.”

Miller said one of the most significant challenges was weaving the sketches into a carnival-like atmosphere to tie the overall narrative together.

“Evolution, history and societal progress are vast, complex topics, so it was quite a challenge to present them in a humorous context,” Miller said. “This was truly a collaborative process, I relied heavily on my students to help develop many of the [contemporary] cultural references. Theatre is inherently a team effort and I am incredibly grateful to the cast and crew who brought this play to life. Their creativity, imagination, instincts and overall willingness to take risks have elevated the script far beyond what I imagined.”

This performance is recommended for ages 13 and up. Tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit nsuplayhouse.ludus.com.

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