Ralph Waldo Emerson
Courtesy Concord Free Public Library

“The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature.”

Welcome to Nature, a mythical telling of Emerson and Thoreau’s mutual love affair with the natural world. Grounded in the story of their friendship and set within a highly stylized theatrical world, the play offers a perspective of their lives that is strikingly relevant, richly complex, and yet utterly simple. Nature will be performed outdoors as a ‘walking play,’ taking the audience on a journey through the natural environment as scenes unfold around them. This original work features excerpts from their own writings, creating a bold expression of Emerson and Thoreau’s essential and revolutionary philosophies.

Nature was produced and created by TigerLion Arts. It has been a rich collaboration between local and national artists led by actor Tyson Forbes, a direct descendent of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who has performed in regional theaters nation wide, including the Guthrie and Ordway. When asked about Nature, Tyson wrote,

“I have always felt honored to be a descendent of Ralph Waldo Emerson. I feel an intimate responsibility to his lineage, and for years, have imagined a play that could bring his spirit and teachings to a broader audience. My connection to Emerson ties me also to Henry David Thoreau, his fellow author, student and friend. When I read their work—their respective individuality, relationship to each other, and mutual appreciation for nature—I find answers to burning questions on how to live my life more deeply and responsibly in this world. They were both radicals of their time, calling on their peers to think for themselves and be agents of change. I believe their words and ideas are as necessary now as they were then.”

Henry David Thoreau
Courtesy Concord Free Public Library

In today’s world, we are so estranged from our natural environment and at TigerLion Arts we feel that humankind must reconnect with nature in order to survive. As oil spills into our oceans, as we race through our lives, as we look further and further outside ourselves for the answers, it is our hope that Nature can be a catalyst for our collective healing. We hope to see you there!

“Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still.”