He and the Kronos Quartet orchestrated the musical adaptation of Ambrose Bierce's short story, "The Difficulty of Crossing a Field," in an American Conservatory Theatre production with Julia Migenes in the cast. Carey Perloff was director. Mac Wellman wrote libretto. David Lang was composer.
As a culture we need all the energy we can get from wherever we can find it: experiences that give us confidence and renewed optimism. One of our responsibilities as musicians is to make experiences that give people renewed energy and enthusiasm for solving problems. I have access to music twenty-four hours a day, and most people don't get to do that.