Kate Attwell’s ‘Big Data’ Challenges Theater in SF

Playwright Kate Attwell’s latest play, “Big Data,” has made a significant impact on the San Francisco theater scene, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges faced by modern theaters in attracting and retaining audiences. Commissioned by the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), “Big Data” delves into the complex issue of human agency in the digital age, particularly focusing on surveillance capitalism and its implications for society.

One of the central themes of “Big Data” is the impact of surveillance capitalism, where corporations and governments collect data on consumers to influence their behavior. Attwell creatively explores this theme through an interactive and immersive theatrical experience, engaging audiences in a thought-provoking dialogue about the power dynamics at play in our increasingly digital world.

The play’s innovative use of stage design is a highlight, with Tanya Orellana’s set transforming into an iPhone-shaped shell that houses a large screen displaying black-and-white snippets of an interview with a morally ambiguous lab scientist. Played by BD Wong, this scientist, known as M, serves as the play’s enigmatic protagonist, manipulating the lives of two couples in a manner reminiscent of Mephistopheles.

Director Pam MacKinnon skillfully portrays M as a charming and manipulative figure, drawing audiences into his world of deception and control. The first act culminates in a dramatic scene where M sends the characters plummeting down a trap door, symbolizing their descent into a world where their choices are no longer their own.

In the second act, the stage is transformed once again, this time into a naturalistic setting, creating a stark contrast to the surreal and manipulative world of M in the first act. As the story unfolds, the consequences of the characters’ actions, influenced by M, come to fruition, leading to a captivating and introspective conclusion.

“Big Data” challenges audiences to reflect on their own agency in a world where technology and surveillance are omnipresent. As the play concludes, M leaves audiences to ponder the role of algorithms and surveillance in shaping their lives, prompting a deeper exploration of the implications of data-driven decision-making.

In a theatrical landscape often dominated by spectacle and special effects, “Big Data” stands out as a masterclass in live theater, blending innovative staging with a compelling narrative that leaves audiences questioning the impact of technology and surveillance on their lives.