'Our Basic Nature' is a multi-media work of music-theater inspired by the memoir Growing Up Human by psychologist Dr. Maurice Temerlin. In 1964, Temerlin and his wife Jane adopted a day-old chimpanzee, to whom they gave the name Lucy. Their intention, wrote Temerlin, was to raise Lucy “as much as possible as though she were a human being.”
The one-man show, incorporates music, theater, and projection design, to explore the blurred lines between animal and man through this incredible story.

Who We Are: The team creating Our Basic Nature is a group of artists who met at Glimmerglass Opera and have worked together for several years; composer John Glover, librettist Kelley Rourke, baritone Andrew Wilkowske, and music director Jocelyn Dueck. This is a truly collaborative and artist-driven project. The ensemble joining us for the premiere of this work is the "cohesive and powerful" (Bomb Magazine) Redshift.

Why We Need Your Help: American Opera Projects will present this work-in-development at WNYC's Greene Space in Manhattan on December 10, 2010. This is the first crucial step in getting this work out into the world as we continue to workshop the piece and present it to other theatrical/operatic companies and producers. We need your help to cover the costs of artist travel to NYC, film and recording fees, rehearsal space, and artist stipends for their performances. Help support this work in its first crucial stage of development!
Find out more at:
http://www.ourbasicnatureopera.com/