Legendary Ocean Explorer Fabien Cousteau Dives Deep with Talk at Harbison Theatre, Nov. 10, 2015

Thrilling, educational talk One Ocean, One People will amaze all ages

COLUMBIA, SC – In 1963, Fabien Cousteau’s grandfather – famed deep-sea explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau – lived for 30 days in an underwater laboratory, setting a world record. Last summer, the younger Cousteau, who grew up on the salt-stained decks of his famous grandfather’s research ships and learned to scuba dive at age four, broke that world record by living and working underwater for 31 days in the only underwater marine habitat and lab in the world. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 at 7:30 p.m., Fabien Cousteau will take adventurers of all ages on an unforgettable aquatic voyage, during his family-friendly talk One Ocean, One People at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College.

“You might find this to be a little weird and trippy, but I actually feel at home down here,” said Cousteau in an interview with CNN, describing much of his 31-day undersea experience as “science fiction.” Raised on his grandfather’s deep-ocean exploration vessels Calypso and Alcyone, Cousteau was destined to uphold the “family business.” “My grandfather used to say, ‘in order to film a fish, you must become a fish,’” Cousteau told PBS NewsHour. “So we’re trying to get as close as we can to becoming fish.”

Fabien Cousteau’s month spent underwater – aptly named Mission 31 – will re-surface on stage at Harbison Theatre, as the famed aquanaut recounts stories of his time spent aboard the underwater marine lab, Aquarius. Videos, photos and personal stories – all of which were documented through real-time, 24/7 online updates during his below-the-surface stay – help illustrate the National Geographic explorer’s mission of preserving the human-ocean connection, promoting marine conservation and educating people about the magnificent beauty, fascinating secrets and eye-opening reality of our planet’s marine habitats.

Cousteau has shared stories of his explorations, from swimming amongst sharks and tracking orcas to saving endangered sea turtles and Mission 31, with National Geographic, NPR, The Atlantic, in a viral TED Talk (“What I learned from spending 31 days underwater”) and countless other news sources – but hearing the Attenborough Award-winner tell his story in-person is an experience like no other.

Katie Fox, executive director at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, says One Ocean, One People falls in line perfectly with the theatre’s educational mission. “With Geography Awareness week in November, we wanted to host a show that could excite people about our magnificent planet,” said Fox. “Cousteau has a unique experience to share and a vital understanding on how to protect our life-giving waters. He is a world-renowned speaker who makes geography exciting!”

Before Mission 31, Cousteau was a National Geographic “Explorer-at-Large” from 2000-02, in which he collaborated with National Geographic Channel to create a TV special called “Attack of the Mystery Shark,” a show which aimed to change the public notion of sharks. From 2006-10, Cousteau – along with his father and sister, Jean-Michael and Celine Cousteau – starred in PBS’ acclaimed series “Ocean Adventures.”

In 2010, Cousteau launched nonprofit organization Plant A Fish, which educates and encourages communities, especially children, to help restore local water ecosystems through the “replanting” of key marine species. The ultimate goal of replanting 1 billion species worldwide is a current initiative through restoration projects in El Salvador, New York City, South Florida and the Maldives.

The combination of passion, an environmental economics degree from Boston University and continuous education and exploration has resulted in Cousteau’s public policy platform founded on his belief that environmental discipline can strike a balance between global environmental issues and the realities of our market economies. He continues to work toward protecting our planet’s endangered marine life while encouraging a sustainable market economy.

“With such an oceanographer’s pedigree, it’s a wonder Fabien Cousteau wasn’t born with flippers,” notes Fox. “He’s paired his family legacy with study and diplomacy to continuously build the case for ocean and water exploration and conservation. Our evening with him will be fascinating for audiences of all ages.”

Ticketing Details
Fabien Cousteau: One Ocean, One People is part of Harbison Theatre’s 2015-16 Speaker Series. Individual show tickets and packages are available now at www.HarbisonTheatre.org. Buyers may also order tickets via phone at 803-407-5011, or in person at the Harbison Theatre Box Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The box office also will open two hours prior to each show in the Signature Series.

About Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College
Rooted in the performing arts, Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College offers programs and productions that encourage reflection, examination and discovery; and that provide entertainment, education and opportunity to professionals, learners and community members in all stages of life. To learn about upcoming events, purchase tickets, or pursue sponsorship and volunteer opportunities with Harbison Theatre, please visit harbisontheatre.org.

Harbison Theatre on Facebook: facebook.com/HarbisonTheatre
Harbison Theatre on Twitter: twitter.com/HarbisonTheatre

About Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year college serving Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina. The fifth-largest provider of higher education in South Carolina and the largest provider of transfer students to four-year colleges and universities in the state, MTC enrolls approximately 18,000 credit students annually. The college’s Corporate and Continuing Education program, one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, annually has 30,000 enrollments and provides continuing education to hundreds of area businesses each year. midlandstech.edu