Which Way Is Up?

Which Way Is Up? is a surreal, high-art exploration of authenticity, perception, and self-definition—told through the impossible geometry of Escher’s staircases. Reality bends as distorted fragments of Stairway to Heaven endlessly ascend and collapse, colliding with the uncanny pulse of Igor’s Theme by Tyler, The Creator and the restless emotional gravity of Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13. Ethereal soundscapes, Shepard tones, and the haunting voice of the otamatone blur the line between ascent and descent, immersing the audience in a world where direction is uncertain and meaning must be chosen rather than followed.

Moments of individuality pierce the illusion: a striking guitar feature, a tense flute and clarinet duel, and a flag feature driven solely by voiceover, harmonica color, and a continuously rising Shepard tone. Visually, stark black, white, and gray foundations are electrified by bold red accents, all centered around a raised rotating staircase prop that becomes the show’s defining image. As performers ride the structure while it slowly turns upon itself, gravity and perspective dissolve completely. Designed with intentional scale and focused storytelling, Which Way Is Up? is especially compelling for smaller ensembles seeking a sophisticated, concept-driven alternative to traditional competitive formulas—proving that ambition, artistry, and impact are not measured by size, but by clarity of vision.

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