Under Pressure!

In-Person
Touring 24/25
Suggested for Grades 3-8 and Families

Created by David Epley, Seattle, WA and co-commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts, Family Theatre

In this exciting new work, Doktor Kaboom, along with a magnificent cast of volunteers, demonstrates the power of something all around us, which although we cannot see it, affects us all.  Pressure.

Equal parts interactive science, comedy, and personal empowerment messages, Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure!clearly illustrates physical science concepts which are also metaphors for some of the real-life mental and emotional pressures we all experience.

If you’ve seen Doktor Kaboom, you know he is as passionate about personal empowerment as he is about science.  Always on the lookout for opportunities to inspire audiences to be their best selves Dr. K elevates volunteers to being the heroes of the moment.  In this new show, Kaboom will validate the pressures students may feel, and offer tools and life lessons for alleviating and dealing with the difficulties that face us all.

“It will be our most intentioned show yet. As well as learning and having fun with science, we think Under Pressure! is going to make a real difference in sparking needed conversations and letting young people know the things they feel are real, and they are not alone.”


  • 60 Minutes – No Intermission
  • Sensory Inclusive or Relaxed performances available

learning connections
  • Science (Embedded Inquiry, Embedded Technology and Engineering)
  • Physical Science (Matter, Energy, Motion, Forces of Nature)
  • STEAM
  • Theatre (Character Acting, Comedy)
  • Health (Preventing Injuries)
  • Social Emotional Learning (Self-Awareness, Self-Confidence, Social Awareness, Respect for Others, Self-Management, Perseverance, Positive Attitude, Responsible Decision Making)