Join us for an evening of storytelling that delves into the roots of curiosity and its enduring connection to the natural world. Explore personal journeys of discovery that spark a lifelong fascination with nature, ‘Roots of Wonder’ invites you to explore how our curiosity shapes our understanding of the world around us and inspires creativity in unexpected ways.
DRI Storyteller:
Sean McKenna, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Division of Hydrologic Sciences (DHS) at the Desert Research Institute (DRI). In this position he is responsible for success of a division with ~120 Research Faculty and Scientists, Postdocs, and Students. DHS works to advance knowledge of hydrologic processes including ground water, surface water, evapotranspiration, precipitation and snowmelt as well as the impacts of climate change and wildfires on these processes and on society. Projects within DHS span the full spectrum from basic science to applied solutions. Dr. McKenna’s research interests are within the areas Ground water flow and solute transport modeling, parameter estimation, hydroinformatics, and spatial statistics.
Dr. McKenna will share stories of his experiences working at the intersection of engineering and science and also looking at challenges that we face living in the Southwest.
Featured Speakers:
Jarret Keene is an assistant professor in the Department of English at UNLV, where he teaches American literature and the graphic novel. He is the series editor for Las Vegas Writes, sponsored by Nevada Humanities and published by Huntington Press, and is the author of Hammer of the Dogs, and the middle grade books Decide and Survive: The Attack on Pearl Harbor and Heroes of World War II: 25 True Stories of Unsung Heroes Who Fought for Freedom. Keene’s Kid Crimson series of Western novels, about the youngest, deadliest, and most handsome hired gun in Virginia City, Nevada, is published by Wolfpack Publishing. Keene has been interviewed by Writer’s Digest, Publisher’s Weekly, EcoTheo Review, Library Thing, Black Fox Literary Magazine, and Coast to Coast AM.
Sonia Barcelona is a singer-songwriter and multi-disciplinary artist from Las Vegas, known for her soulful vocals and heartfelt storytelling. With over a decade of performance, Sonia’s music blends indie, folk, and alternative sounds, drawing inspiration from her personal journey, culture, and the beauty of everyday life. Her work has been featured on Netflix, VICE, and she has been named Best of Vegas. Sonia has performed on numerous stages across the city and beyond, captivating audiences with her warm presence and introspective lyrics. In addition to her music, she is deeply involved in the arts and community, using her creativity to inspire and connect with others.
Thank you to our community partner Nevada Humanities and media sponsor Nevada Public Radio.
This production is not a Vegas Theatre Company event. The views expressed and other information presented are solely those of the producing entity.
