Absurdist theater artist readies New Yorkers for climate floods
In Brooklyn, theater artist Alexx Klein stages absurd performances to confront New York City's climate vulnerabilities. His project 'Flood Futures' simulates disaster scenarios to blend humor with urgent warnings about rising seas. Through laughter and mock evacuations, Klein aims to ease climate anxiety while educating the public.
Alexx Klein, a 32-year-old absurdist theater artist based in New York City, is using performance art to prepare residents for inevitable climate disasters. His latest endeavor, 'Flood Futures,' focuses on the Brooklyn waterfront, a area highly susceptible to flooding from sea-level rise and intensifying storms. New York City faces projections of 2 to 4 feet of sea-level rise by 2050, exacerbating risks from events like Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which caused widespread flooding and power outages.
On October 15, 2022, Klein staged a key performance at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC), an open studios event drawing hundreds of visitors. Dressed in a hazmat suit, Klein suddenly announced a fictional flood emergency. “We’re going to have to evacuate this building because of the flood!” he shouted through a megaphone, prompting confused laughter and participation from attendees. The scene escalated with Klein handing out 'disaster kits' containing absurd items like rubber ducks and fortune cookies inscribed with climate facts, such as 'Your future is underwater—prepare accordingly.'
Klein's approach draws from his background in absurdist theater, where he explores the ridiculousness of modern life. “The goal is to make people laugh while they’re learning,” Klein told Grist. He believes humor disarms climate dread, which affects many urban dwellers. Prior works include plays on mundane absurdities, but 'Flood Futures' marks his pivot to environmental themes, funded by small arts grants.
The performance highlighted real threats: Brooklyn's low-lying areas could see frequent inundation, displacing communities and disrupting infrastructure. Klein's art provides a space for processing these realities without overwhelming fear. Attendees reported feeling both entertained and informed, with one saying it made abstract risks feel tangible. As climate events grow, such creative interventions offer a novel way to build resilience in vulnerable cities like New York.