Buoyed by the promise of jobs and economic development, a series of factories plague a small town. But with reports of dangerous chemicals leaking from the industrial plants, a young woman must make impossible choices to protect her loved ones. Set over 40 years, Rishi Varma’s new drama SULFUR BOTTOM sees an embattled family forced to confront generations of environmental injustice—and maybe just a few talking animals along the way. The production opens on August 20 with two shows a week (Wed at 7:30 PM and Saturday at 1 PM), with four featured performances special for Climate Week NYC on Sept 20 at 1 PM, 24 at 7:30 PM, 27 at 1 PM, and Oct 1 at 7:30 PM. Purchase tickets here.
What was the inspiration for “Sulfur Bottom”?
I saw a news story about a man refusing to leave his contaminated home. He said he had nowhere else to go and couldn’t sell it in good conscience. That stuck with me. Environmental injustice doesn’t just affect land. It affects memory, family, legacy. And then I thought: what if a whale showed up? And here we are!
What importance does art play in environmental justice?
Art plays a huge role, since it has to be specific and personal. The big picture is so important: the thousands of communities affected, the millions of people, but art helps us personalize it. It’s one thing to know the facts, it’s another to feel them.
Do you see theater specifically as a tool for climate advocacy?
Absolutely! Theater is rooted in community: shared space, shared breath. At its best, it's a form of protest, empathy, and collective reckoning. Which is exactly what climate justice needs.
Is there a specific reaction you hope to get from your audiences– fear, hope, guilt, action?
It’ll hit everyone differently, but I hope people leave with a sliver of hope. Hope that a path forward exists. One that requires action and intention, but one that’s still possible.
How do you balance storytelling with the urgency of climate messaging?
I think the story always has to come first. If people wanted to just hear the message, there’s so many ways they can get that information, but there’s only one way they can see this story. And through the story, I hope people will feel the urgency on a deeply, personal level: through the eyes of these characters.
Were there eco-conscious decisions made in the production?
Yes! Most of our costumes are second hand, reducing production waste, and being thoughtful about matching form to content. More importantly, we’ve partnered with some amazing organizations to support their advocacy and sustainability efforts.
Rishi Varma writes at the crossroads of comedy and drama, often veering completely into the surreal and absurd. A playwright, screenwriter, actor, and producer based in New York City, whose work has appeared at Theaterlab and Urban Stages. Rishi studied playwriting at Northwestern University, where he led a full production and writer’s room before moving to NYC to become an actor-writer (very original!). His writing mixes humor and heart to dig into the weirdness of how people behave. And sometimes, it can get very weird. Outside of writing and acting, Rishi teaches SCUBA diving in the city (yes, really). He also shares life’s daily drama with his dog, a steadfast companion who remains unimpressed by résumés or curtain calls. For more information on Rishi, please visit www.rishivarma.com and check out his Instagram: @sirrishi
For more resources and information on our Environmental Justice program, check out our Theme Resources page.