Be Seriously Scared! UMass Event Will Explore Dangers of Nuclear Weapons
Photo: Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy
“Source: Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy
On April 14, 2026, the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will host “Be Seriously Scared!”, an interactive program that combines performance art, historical storytelling, and documentary film to confront the ongoing dangers of nuclear weapons and explore pathways toward a world free of nuclear war. “Be Seriously Scared!”will take place on April 14 from 4:00 – 5:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Old Chapel on the UMass campus. It is free and open to the public. Community members, students, faculty are warmly invited to attend.
Inspired by the final, urgent words of Oishi Matashichi, a fisherman aboard the Japanese tuna boat Lucky Dragon No. 5, the program examines the human consequences of nuclear testing and the continuing risks posed by nuclear arsenals today.
Created by filmmaker Michael Dwyer and performer Larry Jay Tish, Be Seriously Scared! is anything but a traditional lecture. The program incorporates theatrical elements—including hazmat suits, masks, and a Geiger counter—alongside a satirical game show segment titled “NO Your NUKES!”, hosted by the character U.R. Fried.
Through storytelling, performance, and audience engagement, the program recounts the tragic events surrounding the 1954 Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb test in the Marshall Islands, which contaminated the Lucky Dragon No. 5 and hundreds of Japanese fishing vessels with radioactive fallout.
The program also features a dramatic monologue performed by Tish from his forthcoming film project, Tickling the Dragon’s Tail, which explores the history and human consequences of the Castle Bravo nuclear test.
The event concludes with a screening of Appreciation: The Tomiko Morimoto West Story, a 20-minute award-winning short documentary directed by Michael Dwyer. The film highlights the life and legacy of Japanese American peace activist Tomiko Morimoto West and will be introduced by the filmmaker.
Following the screening, peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr. Ira Helfand will offer brief reflections on the program and the current state of nuclear weapons. The audience and presenters will then engage in a discussion and Q&A exploring the legacy of nuclear weapons, the importance of public awareness and education, and the ways students and citizens can contribute to efforts toward nuclear disarmament.
By combining performance, humor, historical reflection, and film, Be Seriously Scared! aims to create an experience that is both emotionally resonant and intellectually engaging.
About the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy
The mission of the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy is to promote public understanding, scholarship, and activism in support of compelling, democratic, and sustainable alternatives to militarism, authoritarianism, and environmental degradation. For more information, please visit our website: www.eipad.org
