RUR: A Torrent of Light

Project Overview

RUR: A Torrent of Light was a groundbreaking 6-year collaborative project (2016-2022) between OCAD University and Tapestry Opera. This innovative opera was inspired by Karel Čapek’s 1920s science-fiction play “Rossum’s Universal Robots” (which introduced the word “robot” to English), exploring contemporary questions about technology and humanity through cutting-edge wearable technology integration.

Events & Performances

Main Production

• Dates: May 28 - June 5, 2022
• Venue: OCAD University, Toronto, Canada
• URL: https://tapestryopera.com/performances/r-u-r-a-torrent-of-light/

Publications

Primary Academic Paper:

• Hartman, Kate, Nick Puckett, and Adam Tindale. “Designing Wearable Technology for Opera.” Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS ‘23). https://doi.org/10.1145/3563657.3596113

Grants & Funding

Received

• SSHRC PEG Grant (2025-2026)
• OCAD University SSHRC Explore and Exchange Seed Grant Program (2023)
  • Recipients: Kate Hartman, Nick Puckett, Adam Tindale

Awards

2022 DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS (6 Awards)

• Outstanding Production
• Outstanding New Opera
• Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
• Outstanding Musical Direction
• Outstanding Direction
• Outstanding Achievement in Design

Music Critics Association of North America (MCANA) 2023

• Best New Opera Award - First Canadian production ever to win

Creative Team

Opera Creative Team

• Director: Michael Hidetoshi Mori
• Music Director: Gregory Oh
• Composer: Nicole Lizée
• Writer: Nicolas Billon
• Choreographer: Jaime Martino
• Set Designer: Cameron Anderson
• Costume Designer: Joanna Yu
• Lighting Designer: Michelle Ramsay
• Sound Designer: Debashis Sinha
• Projection Designer: Cameron Davis

Technology Team (Social Body Lab)

• Kate Hartman: Wearable Tech Designer
• Nick Puckett: Wearable Tech Designer
• Adam Tindale: Wearable Tech Designer

Cast

• Krisztina Szabó, Peter Barrett, Scott Belluz, Danielle Buonaiuto, Micah Schroeder, Alex Hetherington