The Atomic Weight of Happiness

November 21-25, 2011

A production of Stand Up Dance
Created by Meagan O’Shea & Andrea Donaldson
Performed by Meagan O’Shea

Daylong program designed for Intermediate or Secondary grades

As a dancer born with 12 toes, Meagan O’Shea has always had to acknowledge her inner outcast. In The Atomic Weight of Happiness, she involves her audience in an hour-long experiment to arrest global warming; dissect, identify and measure the ingredients of each human emotion.

Meagan O’Shea is an engaging dance artist who has created a unique, funny and quirky eco-inspired performance piece that weaves compelling dance and text.

“ Uplifting, energetic and totally out of the ordinary, Meagan O’Shea creates a highly amusing and unconventional theatre/dance performance that is bound to intrigue.” -Theatre Mania

“This one of the most energetic and creative performances I’ve ever seen. O’Shea gets the audience completely involved in the work (we are instructed to laugh when she laughs as she peddles like a maniac).” -Theatre Mania

Workshop Focus

Meagan O’Shea will lead students through the movement language of the piece and explore how dance as an expressive storytelling form can address important themes and emotions. Students in small groups will create short performance works exploring the issues arising from the experience.

Daylong program
$15 – $20 per student

Limited performance only tickets available
$10 – $15 per student

Themes: emotional literacy, difference, identity, responsibility to the environment

Resources for Teachers

View the Study Guide

Ontario Dance & Drama Curriculum Grades 7 & 8

Links to Social Studies Curriculum Grades 7 & 8

Links to Language Curriculum Grades 7 & 8

Links to Science Curriculum Grades 7 & 8

Environmental Education Grade 7 & 8

Links to environmental groups:

National