(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Caravan Stage Company has docked its 90-ft-tall ship, the Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre, at Hudson’s waterfront in order to stage its newest experimental opera, “Hacked: Treasure of the Empire,” a contemporary tale set in a futuristic and dystopic world of pirate hacker activists taking on the largest global bank on the planet, in a free presentation sponsored by Time & Space Limited, running Wednesday, June 24, through Saturday, June 27, at 9pm each night. Sunday, June 28, is set aside as a rain date.

Attendees need only head down to the waterfront with folding chairs and blankets to enjoy the theater company’s performance, which takes place aboard the traveling seafaring theater.

The New York Times called “Hacked” a “new operatic theater fantasy featuring a band of virtual pirate hacksters aboard the Amara Zee. The Caravan Company delivers productions of experimental opera that might be described as Cirque du Soleil meets Occupy Wall Street. Shows feature outlandish props, circus acrobatics and aerialists dangling from the ship’s rigging. The opera themes are critical of the rich, governments and global corporations. Its heroes are hackers promoting the equal distribution of wealth, who are persecuted by paranoid and over-controlling authorities.”

“Hacked: Treasure of the Empire” is a metaphoric extravaganza of a daring, undercover heist to infiltrate the coffers of the corporate and corrupted global bank controlling the destiny of every man and woman. Through virtual manipulation, the hackers liberate the bank’s vault of all their gold with unexpected and terrifying consequences. Political and biblical references underline this experimental opera told through song, aerial acrobatics, video and huge puppet heads perched high in the riggings of the ship. It features poetic lyrics, an exotic musical score, multiple video screens with an array of visual trickery, surreal lighting and sound with passionate characters that strut, swagger, swoon and swing high above the ship’s deck.

Written in 2012 & first mounted in 2014, “Hacked: Treasure of the Empire” is set on the Caravan Ship, the Amara Zee, wrapped in large video screen upon which an array of image-projections play inside and outside the overall set design ~ the ruins of an abandoned carnival theme park.

The Caravan Stage Society Inc. has a most unique theatre venue — a 90 ft tall ship, the Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre. After 20 years of touring contemporary professional theatre the Caravan now tours its innovative theatrical productions on to the deck of the Amara Zee, a unique Ship Theatre. In the summer of 2013, after sailing and performing in Europe from 2005 to 2013 (see voyaging routes) the Caravan has returned to North America to continue sailing in the US and Canadian rivers, lakes, seacoast and waterways.

Consider the number of people, communities and cities on the shores of all the rivers, inland waterways and coastal waters in Europe and beyond. Consider reaching these people with a theatrical venture that comes to them on the very waters that lap their harbours and waterfronts. Consider watching a show being performed on the deck of a tall ship with the natural elements always at play: the audience sitting on the earth, with the backdrop of the water and a roof of open air! This is what you have with the Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre.

The design of the ship is based on the traditional Thames River Sailing Barge blended with the best of contemporary marine and theatre technology. With its shallow draft of 1.2 meters and its self-lowering masts via on-deck winches the boat can access virtually any waterfront community. The Amara Zee incorporates the sailing masts and rigging for the scenery, light and sound equipment and special effects. The shows are staged on the entire deck, on the masts and rigging, on the water and land surrounding the vessel.

The audience enjoys the performances from shore while sitting on the grass, canal bank, or portable seating. The performances of the Caravan Stage Company embody the long tradition of traveling theatrical productions with their combination of innovative stylistic staging, imaginative music and dance, and colorful entertaining themes. The shows are all original productions expressing the issues and concerns of people inhabiting the environment of the 21st century. The Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre integrates text, poetry, video, humor, music, movement, masks, props and special effects into a magical theatrical experience that is both compelling and inspirational.Since its founding in 1970, the Caravan has provided invaluable opportunities for young people from all sectors of our multi-faceted society.

Hundreds of people have learned the craft of theatre while experiencing a demanding living environment in which to develop self-reliance, individual confidence, and motivation.. In this way, the Caravan can provide a sustainable model for harmony and diversity. The Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre is a floating venue which crossing the realities of the present while connecting the bank of past images and ideas to the far shore of possibilities.