Copenhagen - A quantum play | Yale Quantum Institute

Event time:

Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Friday, September 5, 2025 - 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, September 6, 2025 - 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Audience:

Yale Community

General Public

Location:

Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Connecticut Repertory Theater See map

802 Bolton Rd

Storrs, CT 06269

Event description:

Join us for a captivating presentation of Michael Frayn’s Tony Award-winning play Copenhagen.

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copenhagen-a-quantum-play-tickets-1374438676079?aff=oddtdtcreator">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copenhagen-a-quantum-play-tickets-137443867…</a> Michael Frayn&rsquo;s Copenhagen Directed by Vince Tycer Produced by Florian Carle Cast <ul> <li>Bryan Anderson </li> <li>Halli Gibson </li> <li>Chris Martin </li> </ul> Light Designer <ul> <li>Brennan Davies</li> </ul> Sound Design <ul> <li>Jake Neighbors</li> </ul> Projection Design <ul> <li>William Naraghi</li> </ul> Voice Coach <ul> <li>Jennifer Scapetis</li> </ul> Stage Managers <ul> <li>Aurora Courcy (for UConn)</li> <li>Claire Young (for Yale)</li> </ul> Costume Design <ul> <li> Emma Sowards </li> </ul> Play Description &ldquo;No one understands my trip to Copenhagen. Time and time again I&rsquo;ve explained it. To Bohr himself, and Margrethe. To interrogators and intelligence officers, to journalists and historians. The more I&rsquo;ve explained, the deeper the uncertainty has become. Well, I shall be happy to make one more attempt.&rdquo; - First lines of Heisenberg in the play In 1941, German quantum physicist Werner Heisenberg goes to Copenhagen to see his Danish counterpart, Niels Bohr, and his wife Margrethe. Together they revolutionized atomic science in the 1920s, but now they are on opposite sides of a world war. In this incisive drama by the prominent British playwright Michael Frayn, where the mysteries of quantum physics mirror the complexities of human relationships, the two men meet in a situation fraught with danger in hopes of discovering why we do what we do. Why putting on this play? To celebrate 2025, the <a href="https://quantum2025.org/">International Year of Quantum Science and Technology</a>, the Yale Quantum Institute continues its mandate to make quantum physics more accessible to all by mixing art and quantum science by presenting the 2000 Tony Award Winning play Copenhagen. 2025 marks the centennial of Werner Heisenberg&rsquo;s Matrix Mechanics, the first formulation of Quantum Theory, developed in 1925 on Helgoland Island, Germany. As a tribute, &ldquo;Copenhagen&rdquo; offers a captivating portrayal of Heisenberg in 1941, set in Copenhagen, exploring his pivotal, yet enigmatic meeting with Niels Bohr. Through <a href="https://art.quantuminstitute.yale.edu/">YQI Artist-in-Residence program</a>, ongoing since 2017, producer Florian Carle collaborates with director Vince Tycer and talented artists across Connecticut. This unique partnership brings together the creative teams of Yale and UConn to deliver a production offering a profound glimpse into the lives and minds of two of quantum theory&rsquo;s most iconic figures. &ldquo;When I created the YQI Artist-in-Residence program, bring quantum physics to a theater production was always in the back of my mind. Theater is my first love, and was part of my life for 12 years, before I moved on to pursuing a degree in rocket science and engineering. I was waiting for the right moment. The QuantumCT initiative brough Vince Tycer and I together to discuss how to improve teaching of quantum science to many different types of learners. I could only think about one thing: Copenhagen.&rdquo; - Florian Carle, YQI Managing Director and Artist-in-Residence Producer Dates May 29 at 7:30 pm - The Dome Yale Schwarzman Center Sept 4-6 at 7:30 pm - Studio Theatre, Connecticut Repertory Theater Sponsors Yale, UConn, International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, QuantumCT, Arts & Ideas

Set in 1941, Copenhagen explores the enigmatic meeting between German physicist Werner Heisenberg and his Danish counterpart, Niels Bohr, amidst the backdrop of World War II. As former collaborators now on opposing sides, they grapple with the mysteries of quantum physics and the complexities of human relationships.

Sponsored by the Yale Quantum Institute (YQI) in recognition of the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology this production marks the centennial of Heisenberg’s Matrix Mechanics. Through the YQI Artist-in-Residence program, producer Florian Carle collaborates with director Vince Tycer and talented artists from Yale and UConn to bring this profound story to life.

Florian Carle, YQI Managing Director, shares, “When I created the YQI Artist-in-Residence program, bringing quantum physics to a theater production was always in the back of my mind. The QuantumCT initiative brought Vince Tycer and me together to explore how to teach quantum science to diverse learners. I could only think about one thing: Copenhagen.”

Don’t miss this unique blend of art and science that offers a glimpse into the minds of two iconic figures in quantum theory.

Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen

Directed by Vince Tycer
Produced by Florian Carle

Cast

Bryan Anderson
Halli Gibson
Chris Martin

Light Designer

Brennan Davies

Sound Design

Jake Neighbors

Projection Design

William Naraghi

Voice Coach

Jennifer Scapetis

Stage Managers

Aurora Courcy (for UConn)
Claire Young (for Yale)

Costume Design

Emma Sowards

Presented by the Yale Quantum Institute, the University of Connecticut, and Yale Schwarzman Center, in partnership with the Yale Innovation Summit. Sponsored by Yale University, Quantum CT, and the International Festival of Arts & Ideas.