National Geographic Live Series

Life on Thin Ice with Photographer Kiliii Yüyan

Photographer Kiliii Yuyan stands in snow holding a black camera. He is wearing black snow pants and a white coat with a tan backpack on his back.

Tuesday, October 29

7:30pm

Capitol Theater

$25 - $65

Age Recommendation

6 and up

Meet the Artist

Stay after the show for a brief informal Q&A session in the theater with the performers.

Journey into the heart of the Arctic with National Geographic Live! Explore the icy landscapes teeming with life, where sea ice is as essential as desert sand. Half a million Indigenous people call this frosty land home, but they’re not alone. Polar bears, musk ox, whales and caribou co-exist with their human neighbors. Join Kiliii Yüyan, our first speaker of indigenous descent, as he reveals the deep bond between Native peoples and the majestic creatures of the North through beautiful images and awe-inspiring moments.

Banner reads: "Oh, the choices you'll make!" A troupe of dancers in yellow and red outfits hold up one dancer with one leg extended. The photo is digitally placed in a large yellow "O" with an image of a school of fish underwater behind.

Make Your Own Subscription

Save up to 20% on tickets!

Choose three or more Overture Presents shows to build a Make Your Own Subscription.

Three or four titles: 15% discount
Five or more titles: 20% discount

Please note: Some shows do not have discounts but do count towards number requirements.

We also offer Broadway at Overture packages.

Make Your Own Subscription

Photos

  • Photographer Kiliii Yuyan sits in a long white kayak on an ice berg. He is wearing dark glasses, a black hat and coat and orange gloves.

  • Arial shot of arctic waters with a ship passing through.

    Photo by Kiliii Yüyan
  • A man holding a drone and drone controller under a blue sky white white clouds.

    Photo by Sirachai Arunrugstichai
  • Photographer Kiliii Yuyan smiles into the camera. He is wearing a white coat with a fur hood.

    Photo by Yugu Ningeok
  • Landscape photo of deer running through snow in the arctic.

    Photo by Kiliii Yüyan
  • Photographer Kiliii Yuyan speaking in front of a black and blue background. He has dark hair and is wearing a blue shirt with white polka dots.

    Photo by Sam Kittner
  • Photographer Kiliii Yuyan smiles while sitting with gear in front of an arctic mountain scape. He wears a white coat, tan hat and has two cameras.

  • A whale's tale coming out of icy arctic waters.

    Photo by Kiliii Yüyan
  • Photographer Kiliii Yuyan stands in snow holding a black camera. He is wearing black snow pants and a white coat with a tan backpack on his back.

Meet the Speaker

Photographer Kiliii Yuyan smiles while sitting with gear in front of an arctic mountain scape. He wears a white coat, tan hat and has two cameras.

Photographer

Kiliii Yüyan

Kiliii Yüyan is an award-winning photographer capturing the human experience in some of the world’s harshest environments. He is a 2023 recipient of National Geographic’s Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling. Yüyan has a unique talent for showcasing stories of the Artic and the human communities connected to the land. He leans on his ancestry that is both Nanai and Chinese American as he explores other cultures. In addition to National Geographic, Kiliii is a contributor to Vogue, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Guardian and Nature Conservancy.

Thank you to our Overture Presents partners

 

Title Partners

 

Community Partners

 

Leading Partners

 

Supporting Partners

  • Findorff Building Beyond
  • Hausmann Group Logo Color Horiz
  • Lake Ridge Logo
  • Rare Steakhouse
  • Charles & Barbara Saeman

Upcoming Educational Events

  • March 7

    Saturday

    International Festival

    Dance, Educational/Talks, Family Friendly, Folk Music, Free Events, Music, Theater, Variety, Visual Arts International Festival

    Multiple Venues

    Celebrate the rich cultural heritage within our community and enjoy nearly 30 FREE performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, browse stunning arts and crafts available for purchase and learn about the many local businesses with global connections.

    10:00 AM
    Learn More
  • March 28 - March 29

    New Works: On Deck

    Educational/Talks, Theater New Works: On Deck

    Playhouse

    Experience "Steady She Goes" and "Dan Seavey: Confessions of a Great Lakes Pirate" as part of the Four Seasons Theatre's production "New Works: On Deck."

    Multiple Showtimes
    Learn More
  • April 18

    Saturday

    Community Clothing Swap

    Educational/Talks, Family Friendly, Free Events Community Clothing Swap

    Overture Hall Main Lobby

    Celebrate Earth Month with a clothing swap focused on reducing fashion waste and embracing conscious consumption. Give your gently used clothing a second life—and find something new to love in the process.

    9:00 AM
    Learn More
  • April 30

    Thursday

    Spring 2026 Exhibitions Reception

    Educational/Talks, Free Events, Visual Arts Spring 2026 Exhibitions Reception

    Overture Galleries

    Join us for a reception and artist talks celebrating the Spring 2026 Overture Galleries. Centered on storytelling, our Spring Exhibitions feature artists who translate personal narrative into book-based and ceramic sculptures, symbolic mixed-media works and more.

    5:30 PM
    Learn More
  • May 9

    Saturday

    Slow Art: Making Responsive Artist Books

    Educational/Talks, Visual Arts Slow Art: Making Responsive Artist Books

    Overture Galleries

    Join us for a Slow Art experience beginning with a guided meditation in Wisconsin Studio, followed by a contemplative viewing of works by Gallery I artists Katherine Steichen Rosing and Sandra Schoen. The event concludes with a hands-on book-making workshop and reflection exercise led by the artists.

    10:00 AM
    Buy Tickets
  • May 21

    Thursday

    Joy Harjo: Inhabiting Home on Earth

    Educational/Talks Joy Harjo: Inhabiting Home on Earth

    The Playhouse

    As part of the Finding Home series, the Wisconsin Academy presents a signature public events featuring acclaimed poet, musician and former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. Known for her powerful storytelling and deep exploration of Indigenous identity, Harjo’s work invites reflection on what it means to belong to a place, a people, a history and a future. 

    Multiple Showtimes
    Buy Tickets
  • May 30

    Saturday

    Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0

    2025/26 Season, Educational/Talks, Family Friendly, Overture Presents Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0

    Overture Hall

    Dive into another classic Wild Kratts adventure with the Kratt brothers as they combine live action and animation, with Martin and Chris Kratt live on stage and the rest of the Wild Kratts team on screen, at the Tortuga HQ.

    Multiple Showtimes
    Buy Tickets