In a world where there was the extension of life, would you defy natural biology? At a time when all diseases are curable, would you prolong your life? If given the opportunity, would you ask for designer children?
The "Human Faustus Project," a collaborative effort between director Jennifer Blackmer and 15 student writers at the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry, answers such complicated questions in a play at 7:30 p.m. in University Theatre.
"[The play] will bring to light your own positions on genetic manipulation you may have never thought of before," Blackmer said. "While it's entertaining and provocative, the Human Faustus Project brings up the question of where the line should be drawn, and gets you to think how far you would go yourself."
Based on the play "The Tragical Historie of Doctor Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe, "The Human Faustus Project" explores the slippery ethics involved with genetic selection and manipulation, Blackmer said.
"It's not a condemnation of science. The play celebrates scientific discovery but questions where the responsibility lies in society as a result of these discoveries," she said.
An immersive learning project Blackmer envisioned as a faculty fellow at the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry during the spring 2006 semester, the play follows the dilemmas and decisions of the students' character, Dr. John Faust.
The play profiles Faust, a medical researcher, who has just been fired from his job at a university. After reaching a low point in his life, he decides to sell his soul to the devil to manipulate the human genome with the benefit - and risk - of curing all diseases.
As part of the immersive experience, Blackmer and 15 student writers from various majors researched the Human Genome Project, its consequences for today and its implications for the future and begs the question: "How far can we go before we reach an ethical maelstrom?" Blackmer said.
While most have graduated, two of the original authors, Kate Lumpkin and Joel Miller, are performing in the play's debut as a full production.
"We're reaching a point where society is John Faust," senior Lumpkin, who plays Dianne Wagner in the show, said. "I think we're reaching a point when we're going to have to answer these questions. Because society is such a competitive thing with other countries, it will eventually snowball into what Faust discovers." The entire process of writing and acting the play has been a constant debate among writers because the project in its very nature is so malleable and so much time was put into it, she said.
As a result, Lumpkin said the original writers developed an intense bond. She and Miller, who plays Bill Halyn, were roommates the semester after the script was written, which Lumpkin said only made them closer.
"With discussing these issues from 9 [a.m.] to 5 [p.m.] - sometimes longer - everyday you can't not know everything about each other," she said.
Acting in the play has had its own set of unique challenges for Miller, and he has found he related to the main character he plays, who suffers from a genetic disease known as William's Syndrome, Miller said.
"William's Syndrome patients suffer from a low IQ but have a heightened musical ability. In developing [Bill], I've latched onto a passion and really cared about something, just like he did in not wanting to give up his abilities," he said. "It's relative to me figuring out what I want to do with my life after college. The play has been such a huge part of my life."
Miller also had the opportunity to play three characters, both onstage and during filmed portions of the show, he said.
"I get a chance to do more things during the show," he said. "I get so much more experience and that much more out of the story."
Overall Blackmer expects the play will cause strong audience reactions, and due to its content is for mature audiences only.
"We at least need to entertain these thoughts, because if we don't we won't know what's going to happen. We can't close our eyes to these issues," Lumpkin said.
InformationWhen: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8-10 and 14-17 and at 2:30pm Nov. 11Where: University Theatre
Ticket cost$12.50 for the general public, $11.50 for Ball State faculty and staff, $9.50 for senior citizens and $6.50 for students
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