About More Perfect Places
More Perfect Places is a celebratory theatre project written by Seth Bockley in collaboration with Liz Nofziger, Tanya Palmer, and Angela Tillges.
This project is inspired by the 19th century utopian history of the Southern Indiana town of New Harmony, and its evolution into a site of contemporary art and architecture in the 20th century. Combining historical research with conversations with current day Hoosiers, More Perfect Places explores the power of idealism, imagination, and rethinking the world we live in. Is another world possible? Can we make it in our communities? Whose vision(s) will guide us? How does history inform our dreams of the future?
The full utopian spectacle took place on June 10 - 11, 2022 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Thrall’s Opera House, New Harmony, IN. It was part community gathering, part formal theater, and part outdoor extravaganza and social time — a multimedia display of contemporary utopian visions from Southern Indiana Youth — results of our school residency work — with live music from local favorites, BlueHarmony!
Partners:
Indiana University Bloomington, Theater
University of Evansville, Theater
New Harmony Town Council
Working Men’s Institute
New Harmony Project
Historic New Harmony
Under the Beams
Black Lodge Coffee Roasters
Visionary Utopian Futures Provided by:
Mount Vernon High School — Ian S., Zarek S., Brandi S., Brooklyn K., Maddie M., Hannah R., Madolyn H., Reagan S., Kendall W., Connor S., Mark G., Emily O., Ava K., Mason S., Zack B., Jacklyn T., Raycee S., Destin G., Mitchell H., Hunter, Abram T., Lauren R., Danielle U., Olivia R., Mack C., Hadley W., Mia W., Makayla G., Grayce M., Beau B., Abigayle M., Brooke F., Lena R., Jacob S., Hannah W., Asher H., Tori C., Adam M., Piper O., Andrew S., Josh S., Landon M., Kayden, Nolan D., Clarissa B., Taylor M., Merritt S., Rees L.
Huntingburg High School — Caleb H., Garrett H., Alex H., Ryan R., Noah W., Kara S., Katherine D., Roselyn B., Cruz M., Lesley E., Ellie B., Ava H., Madilyn W., Lyndsey T., Elizabeth C., Mallory T., Saree S., Riley W., Kyleigh S., Ava C., Jaxson F., Stephany G., Alejandra M., Ava H., Jordyn A., Amerynn F., Alexis B., Alexandra H., Elle M., Meridith S., Angel D., Oscar D., Zoe P., Anthony C., Parker N., Colton S.
Inspired utopian visions directly from Posey County Youth.