Arena Stage and BFI form a Partnership

Arena Stage and The Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) are pleased to announce a new partnership surrounding Arena Stage's production of R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE and conferring the third annual $100,000 Buckminster Fuller Challenge prize. The prize will be awarded in D.C. in early June in tandem with the opening of Arena's play about Fuller's life. This partnership promotes the life and work of Fuller through celebrating social innovation and encouraging public awareness through artistic presentation.

R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE runs May 28 through July 4, 2010 at Arena Stage in Crystal City. This production explores the life and ideas of design scientist R. Buckminster Fuller, futurist, pioneer of the sustainability movement, and inventor of the geodesic dome. Written and directed by D.W. Jacobs (co-founder of the San Diego Repertory Theatre), this dazzling, multimedia performance starring Rick Foucheux (Willy Loman in Arena's Death of a Salesman and Off-Broadway's The Emperor Jones) uses art as a medium to explore the ideas of one of the foremost scientific thinkers of the 20th century. Tickets may be purchased online at ArenaStage.org or by phone at (202) 488-3300.

The Buckminster Fuller Challenge, an annual international design competition, awards a $100,000 prize to support the development and implementation of a strategy that has significant potential to solve humanity's most pressing problems. Over 250 entries have been received from all over the world and the selection process is underway. The distinguished jury of renowned global change innovators will arrive at their decision in May and be on hand to confer the prize in D.C. as part of a three-day weekend of Fuller-inspired events, hosted by BFI and Arena Stage. For complete information, including past winners of BFI's Buckminster Fuller challenge, visit challenge.bfi.org.

BFI and Arena Stage are also working together to host several additional Fuller-inspired events this spring and throughout the Arena production. Some related events coming this spring include special events in partnership with the National Building Museum, including family days and museum appearances, post-show talkback with Fuller experts, and Bucky Art, in partnership with the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID). Bucky Art is a temporary, outdoor art exhibit celebrating Fuller's life and works. Selected artists will receive a grant of $2,000 from the Crystal City Business Improvement District. For more information, visit www.crystalcity.org/do/call-for-artists-bucky-art.

Founded in 1983, and headquartered in New York, The Buckminster Fuller Institute is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of solutions which radically advance human well being and the health of our planet's ecosystems. BFI's programs combine unique insight into global trends and local needs with a comprehensive approach to design. BFI encourages participants to conceive and apply transformative strategies based on a crucial synthesis of whole systems thinking, Nature's fundamental principles, and an ethically driven worldview. By facilitating convergence across the disciplines of art, science, design and technology, BFI's work extends the profoundly relevant legacy of R. Buckminster Fuller. For further information visit http://www.bfi.org.

The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established in April 2006 to promote the vibrant Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. The BID is committed to showcasing the area as a world-class destination for visitors, employees and residents. Crystal City is ACTIVE, ARTFUL, ACCESSIBLE, and GREEN.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith and Managing Director Edgar Dobie, Washington, D.C.-based Arena Stage has become the largest theater in the country dedicated to American plays and playwrights. Founded in 1950 by Zelda Fichandler, Thomas Fichandler and Edward Mangum, Arena Stage was one of the nation's original resident theaters and has a distinguished record of leadership and innovation in the field. With the opening of the new Mead Center for American Theater in 2010, Arena Stage will be a leading center for the production, presentation, development and study of American theater. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 200,000. For more information please visit ArenaStage.org

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