E C D Y S I S

A Cosmic Messenger is born to Earth to share with Humanity the message plastic has been trying to communicate for over one hundred years.

from the Mind of Troy Lingelbach

Produced by Hupstate Circus

Collaboration and Sound Design — Lavy

Collaboration and Rigging — Joshua Letton

Lighting Design — Sara Gosses

Costume Design — Win Collier, EDCO Designs

Rigging Support — Zane Defiant

Stage Assistance — Finn, Miley, and Noola

ecdysis (n.) : the process of an insect shedding its outer cuticle layer, revealing its vulnerable flesh, before growing a new shell

Troy started saving their plastic waste over two years ago. At first, this was an experiment to see how much plastic they consume in a given day, week, or month. Imagining how this waste could be transformed, this eventually evolved into the piece you will see today.

All of the materials you see around you are recycled or found: either from Troy’s personal consumption, the streets and sidewalks of Brooklyn, Materials for The Arts (NYC), or Ithaca Re-Use Center. The apparatuses have been load tested to ensure safety. Fashion designer Win Collier created an outfit made of recycled hemp fabric dyed with coffee grinds, and attached with strips of plastic bags spun into thread on a spinning wheel.

This work is made possible thanks to the support of Amy Cohen and Hupstate Circus, Jim Self and NYS Dance Force, Bindlestiff Family Circkus (ECDYSIS is a recipient of the 2026 First of May Award), and Ben, Matthew, Tiff, and Sylvie at Hoffman Challenge Course.

Following the performance, you are invited to take in the space, explore your surroundings, and DANCE to music spun by DJ Skin Contact of Play Me Techno.

Joining our evening in the woods…

ATELOPUS

ATELOPUS is a vertical dance and projection performance inspired by Ecuador’s endangered harlequin frogs, whose disappearance signals the collapse of ecosystems. As two frogs lose their habitat and transform into humans, the work becomes an urgent reflection on water, environmental destruction and the rights of nature.

Habits of Collapse

Matthew Morgan and Javen Lara will be performing an excerpt of their full length show Habits of Collapse. Through acrobatics, dance, and live music, Habits of Collapse explores relational cycles, ghosts of the past, and struggles between parts of the self. This 15 minute excerpt will feature a straps solo from Matthew Morgan accompanied by Javen Lara on viola and voice.