By SHYLEE GRAF

The Beloit Independent Theater Experience, also known affectionately as BITE, displayed its creative prowess once again with the production of “The Bifrost Incident.” Audiences filed into the Wilson Theater in Mayer Hall March 28 and 29 to enjoy the hour-long spectacle. 

“The Bifrost Incident” is an entirely original production adapted from a studio album of the same name by The Mechanisms. Norse mythology meets “Murder on the Orient Express,” the album explores dynamics between Loki, Sigyn, Thor and Odin as they travel on an interplanetary train. 

Staged as a shadowcast, actors lip synced as the album played through the janky speakers, focusing their energy into their movements and connections on stage. Featuring action-packed fight scenes and tender, heart wrenching moments throughout, the show exhibited the talent and dedication of actors and technicians alike. 

“Everything was from scratch,” said Amelie Lichte’26, creative assistant for the show. “There was no basis for any of this.”

Director Cassie Kowalski’26 described the show as “an exercise in audacity.” From late-night brainstorming sessions to experimenting with choreography in the living room of BITE House, cast and crew alike spent months putting this show together. 

“Everyone was willing to jump into this crazy thing,” Chen said.

“It’s an album. It’s not something you generally do a shadowcast of, so it was definitely out there,” choreographer and actor Rowan Wilson’27 said. “I didn’t expect everybody to just be absolutely all-in for it.”

The set was constructed using lumber and PVC piping, and technicians built it on the stage, immersing everyone in the process. The shadow screens were a process of trial and error, but in the end, all it took was some creative finagling to make the dream come to life. 

“I think this show was a testament to using your resources,” said Kendric Chen’26, stage manager for the production.

The community aspect of BITE and those involved in this production is really important, and Lichte said that ultimately that’s what led to the success of the show. 

BITE’s essence is to do theater for the joy and excitement of the art, but they want it to be meaningful too. This year, the club raised money through donations for the organization “For the Gworls” that helps Black transgender people with housing, gender-affirming care, and other medical payments. By the end of the weekend, the production had raised $275 for the charity.

“We had a great team. I’m really proud of the technical people and the actors,” Kowalski said.

_{Featured image: Shylee Graf’27}