Ada and the Engine
by Lauren Gunderson
”The engine might compose elaborate and scientific pieces of music of any degree of complexity or extent.” —Ada Byron Lovelace, 1842
This quote inspired so much of my initial research and concept for Ada. By drawing on computer music and how math plays a role in music, I believed the story of Ada and the Engine could be communicated very well. While an interesting concept in theory, the actual music being created by a computer did not fit into the show, so a different approach was needed, which led me to anachronistic music. By playing with anachronisms in music and how it progresses during the show, Ada Lovelace’s story and its performance was elevated beautifully.
Production Team:
Director: Dan Spiropoulos
Scenic/Projections Designer: Charlie Steele
Costume Designer: Krissy Sneshkoff
Lighting Designer: Mads Longstaff
Sound Designer: Connor von Rentzell
Technical Director: Scott Mollman
Stage Manager: Lexie Scott
Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Byrne
Ada and Lovelace’s waltz and first letter scene underscoring. Example of feeling of music for the period accurate classical music used in the beginning of the show.
Example of a modern day cover that still has the same feeling as the Romantic Era classical music during the period we are set in.
Sound of the glass prism afterlife.
Sound that plays as Ada is programming the machine in the glass prism afterlife. Each chime is in the same key as "Ada’s Vision.” Created in Ableton.