The stage icon - a maroon silhouette of a human figure in the Vitruvian Man pos
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

Scientists, Technologists, and Artists Generating Exploration

STAGE — Scientists, Technologists, and Artists Generating Exploration — is a Center within the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME). At the heart of STAGE’s mission is the belief that creativity and discovery thrive at the intersection of disciplines. By bringing together artists, scientists, and technologists, the Center fosters a space where experimental ideas can take shape, leading to innovative approaches in both scientific communication and artistic creation. This multidisciplinary environment encourages collaboration that challenges traditional boundaries, ultimately generating work that not only entertains but also enlightens, sparking curiosity and deeper appreciation for science in audiences of all backgrounds.

STAGE’s distinct research focuses on creating and developing new theatre, film, games, and other artistic endeavors inspired by science and technology. STAGE harnesses the power of storytelling, emotional engagement, and entertainment to translate complex scientific ideas into relatable human experience, promoting understanding of the sciences in the public arena through new forms of artistic expression.

STAGE harnesses the power of storytelling, emotional engagement, and entertainment to translate complex scientific ideas into relatable human experience, promoting understanding of the sciences in the public arena through new forms of artistic expression.

Current Projects

Entanglement

Entanglement (working title) is a multimedia theatre piece that tells the story of a young woman balancing multiple cultures and identities.

Curiosity: The Making of a Scientist

The documentary-style web series Curiosity: The Making of a Scientist takes us into the labs and lives of scientists to explore what motivates, and is involved in, choosing a career in science, what inspires scientific investigation, and the nature of curiosity itself.

Quantum Games

In The Quantum Casino, instead of using words and equations to explain quantum physics, concepts are built into the mechanics of playing the games and their visuals. Each of the games is designed to create an engaging and memorable experience that affords first-hand interaction with one or more key aspects of quantum mechanics. Once a game is learned, so too are the quantum concepts built into it.

Explore Recent STAGE News & Events

STAGE expands theater and science exploration

STAGE expands theater and science exploration

At STAGE, the art and science laboratory embedded within the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME), 2021 was the year of improvisation. The pandemic’s resurgence and the move back to hybrid...