Prospero’s Black Box is a one-person clown show that had its world premiere last summer at the Hydrama Center in Greece to critical acclaim. In 2024 It was invited to the Prague Shakespeare Festival and Verona Shakespeare Festivial. It also played in Chicago at the Ol'Factory Fest. This solo show is written and performed by Proboscis co-artistic director Jeff Mills, directed by James Donlon, music composed by James Connolly, and projections designed by Dwight Bellissimo.
Prospero’s Black Box explores the absurd connection between Shakespeare’s Prospero and Google’s Geoffrey Hinton as they wrestle with the power of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality. A Black Box is an algorithm that is so complicated that even its creators don’t understand how it works. In real life, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton (considered the Godfather of Artificial Intelligence) recently resigned from his senior position at Google, because the AI technology he created is a danger to humanity. At the end of the Tempest, Prospero also resigns his power and gives up his magic. In this highly participatory solo show (the audience plays a huge role in the storytelling) the clown tries to solve the problem of the black box with hilarious and provocative results. This show is available for booking!
Contact Jeff Mills at jmproboscis@gmail.com or call 805-453-8242
Prospero's Black Box
Performances
2025
Lit Moon World Theatre Fest
Santa Barbara CA
2024
Prague Shakespeare Festival Verona Shakespeare Fringe
2023
Hydrama Arts Center
Hydra Greece
Flying Actors Studio
Ashland OR
Two minute trailer
Ten Minute Highlight Reel
Prospero's Black Box
Conceived, written and performed by Jeff Mills
“I am hardly a technophobe. But we will get the best of these technologies only if we don't let them distract us from making these deep human connections, addressing these deep human longings, and inspiring these deep human energies.” - Author: Thomas L. Friedman
COMPANY
Jeff Mills- Clown, Prospero, Geoffrey Hinton
James Donlon- Director
Jim Connolly- Composer
Piper Kirchhofer - Lighting Designer
Dwight Bellisimo- Projection Designer.
Alivia Arizaga- Stage Manager
Prospero’s Black Box explores the metaphorical connection between Shakespeare’s Prospero and Google’s Geoffrey Hinton
A BLACK BOX- is an algorithm that is so complicated that even its creators don’t understand how it works.
Prospero- the main protagonist in Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Master alchemist, magician, and usurped Duke of Milan. Stranded for twelve years on a Mediterranean island with his daughter Miranda. He plots his revenge against his brother and the King of Naples who conspired against him and banished him from Milan. In the end Prospero gives up his magic and forgives his brother.
Jeffrey Hinton- considered the Godfather of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is a software engineer who recently resigned from his senior position at Google, citing AI (technology he created) as a danger to humanity. You will hear excerpts from his actual resignation speech in Greek throughout the performance.
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