Synesthesia: WorldHearts — A Mind-Blowing Odyssey for Change
Picture this: the lights dim, a haunting train whistle echoes through the theater, and you’re plunged into a world where senses collide, every movement sparks a color, and every sound paints a story. Welcome to Synesthesia: WorldHearts, a multimedia performance art extravaganza that’s not just a show—it’s a wake-up call for humanity. Now under production and coming soon, this visionary production, originally crafted by award-winning artist producer Jim Palacio, now known as Santiago, with collaborators Darren and SAC for the Center Arts, Theater Arts Center, fuses dance, live projections, original music, spoken word, and raw emotion to confront our planet’s most urgent crises: environmental collapse, historical injustices, animal extinction, and the fragile threads of human connection. Santiago has previously worked with MGM, The Dodgers, and has garnered two Kennedy Center Awards. Buckle up for a sensory rollercoaster that’ll leave you inspired, challenged, and ready to act.
Seven Movements, One Mission
WorldHearts unfolds in seven interconnected movements, each a synesthetic masterpiece that blends sight, sound, movement, and spirit to awaken consciousness. From the introspective to the gut-wrenching, these segments weave a tapestry of art and activism:
- The Station Master’s House (Tolstoy): A contemplative journey into Leo Tolstoy’s final days at Astapovo station, where projections of passing trains and reflective spoken word explore his quest for meaning. Dancers embody his inner turmoil, urging us to challenge power and embrace our principles.
- Holocaust of Animals: A two-part punch—Human Hunters exposes the slaughter of wildlife, while Extinct mourns vanishing species. Stark projections of empty landscapes and diminishing animal calls demand: “What would you do to stop this?”
- The Empty Fields of 1931: This movement revisits the Mexican Repatriation Act’s human toll, with archival footage and heart-wrenching narratives of displaced families. Movement captures their struggle for dignity, exposing the scars of xenophobia.
- Future Child (Spirit Warning): A temporal dialogue between children of 1931 and today, with split-screen visuals linking past injustices to present struggles. Dancers bridge time, warning us to break cycles of abuse.
- Departed (Divine Transcendence): A haunting love letter to the lost, where performers channel grief through the five senses—slow gazes, gentle touches, and ethereal sounds. Projections of translucent beams and smoky visuals evoke a spiritual connection, whispering guidance from beyond.
- Marine Pollution Bulletin (A Draft of a Letter): A visceral exposé of plastic pollution—“plastics in the ocean, plastics in the fish, plastics in our body.” Performers writhe as marine life choked by waste, while projections show dolphins tangled in nets. A poetic voice asks: “What are you going to do about all this plastic?”
- Discovery: Meaning Lived: The grand finale unites all themes in a living art installation. Full-cast choreography, woven music, and recapped imagery deliver a powerful call: awareness fuels action, and meaning is found in change.
A Sensory Revolution
What sets WorldHearts apart is its synesthetic architecture, inspired by the neurological phenomenon where senses intertwine—like hearing colors or tasting sounds. Multiple projection screens splash vivid imagery, from vibrant reefs to Tolstoy’s train tracks. Spatial audio envelops you in crashing waves, train whistles, or fading animal cries. Dynamic lighting shifts from warm memory to cold reality, while dancers and live musicians create a pulsating energy. Plastic waste props in Marine Pollution Bulletin and flowing scarves in Departed add tactile depth. It’s art that doesn’t just speak—it feels, pulling you into its world.
This isn’t your average theater experience. WorldHearts demands engagement, posing questions that linger long after the curtain falls. It’s backed by real-world urgency: 100,000 marine animals die yearly from plastic, microplastics infiltrate human bodies, and historical traumas like the 1931 deportations echo in today’s policies. By blending art with activism, WorldHearts aligns with movements like Greenpeace’s ocean campaigns and the UN’s plastic pollution treaty, making it a cultural force for the future of the world.
Why It Matters
In an era where crises compete for attention, WorldHearts is a bridge between feeling and healing. Departed offers solace for personal loss, Marine Pollution Bulletin ignites environmental rage, and The Empty Fields of 1931 demands justice. As the production’s tagline promises, “WorldHearts will help you figure out yourself.” It’s a space to confront your role in these issues—whether adopting sustainable habits, advocating for policy change, or simply listening to the past’s warnings. Audiences leave not just moved but mobilized, with actionable steps to make a difference.
The project’s ambition—staged across global venues like the Kennedy Center or coastal pop-ups—requires a village. Its technical needs (projections, spatial audio, versatile lighting) and ensemble cast call for bold support. That’s where Entar and you come in.
Join the Movement
Synesthesia: WorldHearts is a once-in-a-generation call to awaken through art. Entar invites you to join in bringing this vision to life:
- Patrons: Fuel the projections, music, and sets that make WorldHearts unforgettable. Contact world@entar.com to explore sponsorship opportunities, from $100 digital programs to $1,000 VIP rehearsal invites.
- Venues: Host this transformative show at theaters, warehouses, or coastal sites. Reach out to discuss bookings and make your space a hub for change.
- Collaborators: Synesthete artists, choreographers, and activists—your talents can amplify WorldHearts. Connect at entar.com/world to join the creative team.
Order pre-sale tickets now to ensure that you won’t miss out on WorldHearts. For assistance, call 213-880-9910 or world@entar.com
Don’t just watch history unfold—shape it. Support Synesthesia: WorldHearts with Entar, and help art spark a global awakening. Where senses collide, consciousness rises. Be part of the change.