Eden was created by playwright Wi-Moto Nyoka based on the personal experience of a young researcher Polona Tepes, as she endeavors to save a 13-year-old patient with a rare tumor.

Wi-Moto Nyoka is the founder of Dusky Projects, creating horror/sci-fi stories by BIPOC authors.

According to Wi-Moto, Eden is not just a story -- it’s the fusion of science and magic with a mix of love, color, and beautiful fictional realities.

Can you tell us a little bit about Eden?

Eden is a story about a girl who transforms into mystical creatures and the doctor and scientist that follows her along the journey.

How did the story emerge?

The name ‘Eden’ emanates from a case the pediatric cancer research scientist I was paired with. The story revolves around a girl with a mysterious type of cancer and what the doctor did to save her. Eden is a reimagining of that event. It’s a touching real-life story with an infusion of magic to give it a different outcome.

Tell us about how you were able to create a play in which science (which seems to be at parallels with magic) could be entwined with such ease.

Both science and many forms of mysticism involve imagination and belief which is what struck me when Polona, the doctor I was paired with, spoke about her work. There’s very little daylight between science and art, in the sense that it’s imagining a new world. We should stop seeing these two as opposites because life is magical as much as there's science to it.

Why did you decide to be a playwright?

Theatre has always been my first love and playwriting came as a means to create work for myself. I was writing and not considering myself a writer until five years ago though I’d been writing pilot scripts.

Why did you choose horror sci-fi?

I’ve always loved horror sci-fi because they are uncharted terrains. In this world we create as writers, you can start making new rules and cultures, breaking from the normal routine of life. It’s a deep dive into humanity and how people work. Plus, I try to create stories around people of color, unique stories that are far from the common narrative on mainstream media.

Who’s the play for?

I’m hoping people who work in the science field would come to see the theatre piece. It should stir a debate.

When asked what her hopes of Eden’s impact would be on the audience and people in general, Mi-Moto Nyoka took a deep breath.

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“I’m imagining a world where they’d sit and listen to Polona’s speak about her research and then they’d see the play which is a different take on her research.

There’s a lot of critique about the field itself, on our values and what we use scientists for...and there’s a lot that needs to be discussed about gender discrimination. With the panel discussion and Eden happening together, I’m hoping people would not just get educated but truly feel the emotions and what this play is about.

Eden is not just a play, it’s a movement that hopes to create social change, and start a conversation about gender and color representation."

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The good news is you'll get a chance to hear Polona speak about her research, watch Wi-Moto's play, and join the debate afterward.

Still wondering who the playwright, Wi-Moto Nyoka, is?

She’s a passionate writer, performer, transmedia artist, and founder of Dusky Projects, creating sci-fi works for young adults and adult audiences.

She’s bagged honors, such as Puffin Foundation Grant Recipient 2012 and 2019, A.R.T/New York Creative Space Grant Recipient 2016, Multi-Stage 2017 New Works Contest Semi-Finalist, and One-Eyed Rabbit Black Screenwriters Grant Semi-Finalist 2020.

It’s no gainsaying her work ‘Eden’ is about to stir up a movement--a March for positive change in the field of science.

Be part of the first people to see the play at the Science in theatre festival.

Click here to find out more about the play.

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