Luminous Emptiness is a multi-media, staged adaptation of the text Bardo Thodal, better known in the U.S. as The Tibetan Book of the Dead. This ancient Tibetan text was intended to serve as a guide for the deceased soul from the moment of death through to the moment of the next rebirth.
Katsura Kan is a native of Kyoto, Japan and a Master Butoh artist. The original inspiration for the production came from Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Naropa University’s founder, who envisioned a modern interpretation of the text that would be accessible to a contemporary audience.
Directed by Katsura Kan
Assistant director/choreographer: Jen Hicks
Performers: Dana Hart Wright, Danielle Lebens, Guenever Donohue, Jessica Wheeler, Judson Webb, Kate Sanderson Holly, Melissa McNamara, Rhonda J. Soikowski, Susan Pfeffer, Aaron R. Jennejahn.
Co-production of the Golden Sun Foundation for World Culture and Naropa University’s MFA Theater: Contemporary Performance Program.
Performing Arts Center, Naropa University
October 2009
