Meet Tjaša Ferme | Creator, Award-Winning actor, Founder of Science in Theatre Festival

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tjaša Ferme and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tjaša, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?

To give you a little bit of context: I’m the founder and artistic director of Science in Theatre Festiva, which is a women-driven three-day event. Each night an audience watches a new theatrical work, followed by science presentations in the style of TED talks, and roundtables consisting of scientists and artists. The goal of Science in Theatre Festival is to align forms of theater with current scientific research in neuroscience, artificial intelligence, sustainability and epigenetics, and communicate it in a pioneering way of storytelling.

Actually, I think that theatre is a huge player in the field of social progress and social debate, and even in philosophical and scientific debate. And I think it’s a part of our job to bring awareness and education around how much people need to be involved in all these subjects for policy making etc. People need to be exposed to data, facts, and to different flavors of opinions. But there are not a lot of places where you can come and not enter a political rally where everybody is just propagating one opinion. Our festival is a space to look at these things from many different angles and be able to educate yourself and make your own choices. So, having that many perspectives and that many presentation styles opens up new possibilities and gives the audience permission to have their own point of view. There is a multiplicity of options, and I think that gives them more of an empowered sense of where they stand and how to make up their own mind. Check us out Dec 9-11th, 2022 at The Tank Theater, NYC or from anywhere in the world via a live-stream.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Thank you so much. To me, art is the best profession in the world but NYC is the highest level of the game to use the video game terms, so making a mark here is a challenge. At one point I realized that my curiosity for science at the nexus of consciousness and ritual (communing with higher forces) in connection with theatre was somewhat a unique combination. I believe it’s what gives us a competitive edge, draws our audiences to us and it’s that specificity one needs to be successful.

Sneak preview: We’re currently developing a theatre piece called BIOADAPTED, which employs texts about AI and generated by AI. We even put GPT-3 on trial-lead by the audience- to speak for itself. Our goal is to investigate, interrogate, and educate all while delivering a unique, interactive, science-enhanced experience using technology. AI regulations and their implementations in government systems concern all of us, and through our process of blending art and science, we make these issues “digestible” empowering audiences to become active decision makers and alert citizens protecting their own agency and human sovereignty. Also Science in Theatre Festival is just around the corner!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I know this might sound cheesy but: Central Park. I live nearby and almost every day I begin my day with a refreshing run on its trails and through its forests. I love nature and it’s what fills me with joy and calms down my nervous system in this crazy city. Also speakeasies and rooftop bars; New York offers incredible skyline views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Irina Nazarova! She is our marketing director and compatriot in blending art and science that has been with me since the beginning of Science in Theatre Festival! Last year was our first, we were sold out, articles in Forbes and American Theatre Magazine came out so our efforts really paid off and she made sure everything looked tiptop!

Website: https://www.transformatheatre.com/science-festival-2022

Instagram: @transformatheatre

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transforma-theatre/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Transformainc/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformatheatre

Other: For collaborations, play commissions, tours, acting, directing projects and more go to https://tjasaferme.com/ or email me at tjasa@tjasaferme.com