Newswise — Performers use humor to tackle scientific history, breakthroughs and common misconceptions.
Eleven Chicago scientists-turned-comedians — many of whom hail from some of the nation’s most renowned research institutes, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory — cast aside their lab coats in October for a chance to educate the public through unconventional means.
The troupe, including Argonne’s own James Dolan, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Molecular Engineering, used improvisational comedy to entertain some 80guests inside Hyde Park’s The Revival theater in a new production called “The Excited State.”
The performers, who hailed from the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago and Fermi Lab, were joined on stage by special guest Dr. Sidney R. Nagel, a Stein-Freiler Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, who had recently taken an improv class at the theater.
Dolan, who co-created “The Excited State” with Yeva Shan, another ensemble member and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago, said they hope to stage a monthly performance that uses the power of laughter to tackle scientific history, breakthroughs and common misconceptions. Mostly, though, they want their audience to have a good time.
“I think that when people are clearly enjoying themselves, you can sort of slip things in there by stealth that they don’t even realize they are learning,” Dolan said. Even if they do, they are in a good mood in a good place and being entertained.”
Dolan’s route to the stage was rather circuitous. Originally from Scotland, he earned his Ph.D. in engineering and physics from the University of Cambridge in England in 2017. While there, he was a founding member of the Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange, through which he organized professional development workshops for early-career researchers interested in science policy.
“During collaborative lab retreats, I was often responsible for science-themed entertainment,” said Dolan, 29. “Some of the games and activities I developed for these retreats would form the inspiration for ‘The Excited State.’”
Dolan, now vice-president of the Postdoctoral Society of Argonne, came to the United States in August 2017 and lives in Hyde Park. His research includes the study of soft matter physics, the examination of materials such as polymers, liquid crystals and nanophotonics, the study of the interaction of light with small objects such as tiny flecks of metal.
He had little prior experience as a performer outside of two high school plays. He was cast as flower shop owner Mr. Mushnik in “Little Shop of Horrors” and later as The Fool in “King Lear.”
“I didn’t even have to audition for that,” he joked about Shakespeare’s play. “My English teacher told me she had me in mind for the part from the beginning. I’m not sure that was a compliment.”
Dolan didn’t take to the stage again until earlier this year, enrolling in several improv classes at The Revival. He also received training from the educational organization Science Riot, which aims to grow the public’s enthusiasm about the sciences through innovative programming, comedy, outreach and entertainment.
Dolan believes he will continue to use comedy as a means to draw people to the sciences. Already, his time on stage has improved his work inside the lab, he said.
“Improv provides scientists with all the skills needed to help generate ideas for new scientific projects and building that all-important spirit of collaboration, including active listening and accepting and offering ideas no matter how outlandish they may seem,” he said.
“The most exciting collaborations are about creating ideas and projects that neither scientist could have envisioned or managed alone,” Dolan said. The troupe took the stage again on January 17. Their special guest was Peggy Mason Ph.D., from the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Chicago.
“The Excited State” troupe:
- James Dolan, Argonne National Laboratory
- Yeva Yue Shan, University of Chicago
- Huw Rees, University of Chicago
- João Caldeira, University of Chicago
- Randal Picker, University of Chicago
- Naoko Muramatsu, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Mike Chamberlain, University of Chicago - Medical School
- Kate Wiseman, EPIC Academy
- Marshall Chin, University of Chicago
- Takintayo Akinbiyi, University of Chicago
- Stephanie Timpone, Fermilab
Director:
- Tim Soszko, The Revival
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation’s first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America’s scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the Office of Science website.
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