To better fulfill its artistic mission, in 2003 CultureWorks created The Institute for Relativity Studies. The "Other" IRS is a fictitious scientific institute that humorously conducts research "studies" that explore how human being develop different understandings and perceptions of similar phenomenon. These "studies" are actually interdisciplinary performance pieces developed in collaboration with various artists in multiple mediums. Topics of inquiry include Family, Mythology, Music and Language, Religion, Mathematics and Numerology, Time, Space, Human Nature, and many, many, many more.

The not-for-profit, not-by-choice Institute's Senior Director is Professor Whittey, a quirky, rational, and disarming character who guides the audience through The Institute. Several of these studies are stung together to create a thoroughly entertaining performance experience. Brian Shapiro portrays a range of characters including Dr. Deepocket Chumpchange, Professor Whittey, Mother Whittey, and Brother Whittey.



Research Findings #2 (2004) included the most reverent and essential aspects of Eastern and Western religion as told by Dr. Deepocket Chumpchange, the role of mythology as the Sierra Leone tale about The Origin of White People was revealed through music and dance, Professor Whitteyís mom, Mother Whittey, showed how family influences perception when she tackled yet another conspiracy theory with Taco Bell Islam, and finally Music and Language were pitted against one another to see which influenced perception more.