The words “geology” and “theater” usually aren’t found in the same sentence, but Carla Montgomery, acting associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, would tell you a different story.

Montgomery’s textbook “Physical Geology,” was turned into a New York City production, where the non-profit performance group LAVA danced its way through the rock cycle.

After sheer frustration of the lack of good textbooks, Montgomery decided to write her own. Her first was “Environmental Geology,” but it was the second that grabbed the attention of LAVA’s artistic director, Sarah East Johnson. Johnson, who was taking a geology course, read the book and fell in love with it. She decided to use it as a template for her next show.

“I thought it was a joke, it seemed so improbable,” Montgomery said after being notified that her book inspired a stage show. The show, titled “(w)HOLE,” runs Jan. 5 through Feb. 19. It is unknown if the production will travel to Chicago.

“We don’t have anything set up but I am hoping to in the next year,” Johnson said.

Although Montgomery did not have the time to see it, she will do so if it comes to Chicago. The play received good reviews, including one from Newsday.

“I loved the way the book deals with the planet,” Johnson said. “It is hard science but passionate. It got me passionate.”

Johnson also learned a lot by turning Montgomery’s ideas into something physical. Johnson incorporated Montgomery’s ideas of plate tectonics, the water cycle, magnetic polarity and more into a series of dance steps and acrobatic moves.

Professor Eugene Perry, Montgomery’s long-time co-worker, also thinks geology can be an inspiration for art.

“Science is seeing the world in a rational way, but not forgetting there are other ways of looking at it,” Perry said.

Perry described Montgomery as an active teacher who is capable of bouts of creativity. This holds true for Montgomery, an NIU professor of 28 years. She said she is excited about her job because it combines teaching and writing — the two things she loves most.

“Be passionate about your writing,” Montgomery said. “Keep your audience in mind and don’t write for yourself.”