Acrobatic troupe to perform at Penn State Oct. 27

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Australian acrobatic troupe Gravity and Other Myths will bring its production of "Ten Thousand Hours" to Penn State's Eisenhower Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Presented by the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, the 60-minute performance combines acrobatics, physical theater and live percussion to explore the dedication and practice required to master a skill.

The production draws its inspiration from the concept that achieving mastery requires 10,000 hours of practice, an idea popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his 2008 book, "Outliers."

Throughout the performance, the acrobats demonstrate a variety of physical skills and coordinated movements while a digital clock counts down. A live drummer provides the musical accompaniment, and the performers use minimal props and simple costumes to keep the focus on their athletic abilities.

"We have packed so many skills and tricks into 60 minutes," said Lachlin Binns, a company founder, director and acrobat. "I’ve never been a part of a show as dense as this one."

Gravity and Other Myths is known for combining contemporary circus techniques with physical theater, emphasizing teamwork, strength and precision.

Tickets cost $52 for adults, $14 for University Park students and $19 for those 18 and younger.

Tickets are available through the Arts Ticket Center online or by calling (814) 863-0255. Purchases made by phone or in person avoid the $4 online ticketing fee. The Eisenhower Auditorium box office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Eisenhower Auditorium is certified as a sensory-friendly venue through KultureCity. Accommodations include a designated quiet space on the lounge level and sensory tools such as noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses and lap pads.

The KultureCity app also provides pre-visit information to help guests prepare for their experience.

The Center for the Performing Arts and the Arts Ticket Center are part of Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture.

Support for the performance is provided by the McQuaide Blasko Endowment and the Gerald B. M. and Sylvia Stein Memorial Endowment. A grant from the University Park Fee Board helps make discounted student tickets available.