PREVIEW: Dragonfly Dawn
PREVIEW: Dragonfly Dawn
Joanna Abel’s production, Dragonfly Dawn, premieres at The New Hazlett Theater on April 24th and 25th. Dragonfly Dawn is an ethereal dance journey through enchanted battlegrounds of good versus evil. In Dragonfly Dawn, a cricket’s violin lures a swan to a mystical forest lake, where they dance with dragonfly friends. The peace shatters when an evil harpy attacks, but after a fierce battle, the dragonfly triumphs, soaring in a final aerial display, restoring harmony to the enchanted forest.
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Melissa Cardello-Linton: Dragonfly Dawn features a mystical forest setting. What inspired this enchanted world and its inhabitants?
Joanna Abel: Dragonfly Dawn has a mystical forest setting which was inspired by my love of 80s movies like Labyrinth, The Neverending story, the 1985 movie Legend, my love of fantasy creatures, mermaids, dragons, fairies, and also fantasy novels like Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. All these amazing magical realms helped create the magical realm that Dragonfly Dawn is set in.
MCL: Can you describe the role of music in the story, such as the cricket’s violin? How does it drive the narrative?
JA: In Dragonfly Dawn, the cricket’s music really drives the story because the swan is mesmerized by the music, and it brings the Swan onto the lake. Then, the dragonflies are so intrigued and become very playful with the music.
It weaves the story together.
MCL: What was your vision for the choreography, particularly the swan’s dance and the dragonflies’ movements?
JA: My vision with the movement for the swan and the dragonflies was to really look at swans in nature and see how they actually move. So, using big, beautiful wing movements, having them glide across the lake and having smooth, fluid flying motions. And then with the dragonflies, they move quite fast, and they seem to be quite playful. So, really playing into the playfulness of the dragonflies and how they flit and hover along the lake.
MCL: How does the final aerial display symbolize the restoration of harmony in the forest?
JA: The aerial display in Dragonfly Dawn symbolizes the triumph over evil. The harmony that comes back to the forest realm and the collective power when all the forest creatures come together and overcome the evil harpy.
MCL: Is there anything you learned that surprised you as you created this piece?
JA: One thing that surprised me while creating Dragonfly Dawn was how using real-life nature influenced the movements of the swan and the dragonfly. It really translated into creating this magical world and helps create whimsy and fantasy for the audience to experience.
MCL: How does the visual design, including costumes and set, enhance the mystical and magical aspects of the story?
JA: The set design in Dragonfly Dawn plays a crucial role in bringing the story to life, and we do that by using atmospheric lighting and carefully crafted projections. We have set design that includes twisting branches for an ethereal fairy-like scene and all these elements together really create an otherworldly experience.
MCL: What deeper themes or messages do you hope the audience takes away from Dragonfly Dawn?
JA: I hope that the audience is inspired after seeing Dragonfly Dawn to create, and that could be with music or dance or any kind of art to find new and meaningful ways to express themselves. There are also some deeper meanings in the storyline like loss of innocence, challenges that really disrupt your peaceful world, and knowing that coming together as a community can be really powerful to help overcome those things.
MCL: What is your role in this performance and who are your collaborators?
JA: I am the creator and choreographer of Dragonfly Dawn. I’m also a principal dancer and through the New Hazlett Theater, I was able to choose designers that really tie all the elements of the project together. I’m working with my dancers Maria Hammer and Christine Andrews to create all the choreography. I was also ecstatic when I found out that former CSA artist Tina Marie Custer was on board to be the creative director for this project.
MCL: Who is the ideal audience for this show and what do you hope they take-away?
JA: The ideal audience member is someone who loves fantasy, someone who likes dance, and someone who is ready to feel inspired. If you’re a lover of art, theater, or dance in enchanted worlds then Dragonfly Dawn is the show for you.
MCL: If you could step into the world of Dragonfly Dawn, which character or creature would you most want to be, and why?
JA: If I could step into the world of Dragonfly Dawn the creature I would most like to would be the evil harpy. The reason is because I love to work with shadow work and things that are blocking me things that are challenging me and transform them into something that is actually helpful and gives me a better understanding of who I am and make that shadow challenge be my friend. And I also just like to play the villain.
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Dragonfly Dawn runs at the New Hazlett Theater: April 24 at 8pm, April 25 at 10am, 8pm.
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Joanna Abel Writer, Creator, CSA Artist 25
Teena Marie Custer Creative Director
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Joanna Abel- Dancer /Aerialist
Maria Hamer- Dancer
Christine Andrews- Dancer
Barbara Brutt – Aerialist/Circus Artist
MUSICIANS
Aidana Yntykbayeua- Kobyz
Kazuki KozuruSalifoska- Percussion
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Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available for all CSA Season 12 productions.
The New Hazlett Theater is also eager to invite student groups to the theater, including talkbacks with the artists.
Please email Nathan Wagner with any questions.
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Season art & design: Bootstrap Design Co. | CSA Season 12 Artist Portraits: Matt Dyak | Performance photos: Renee Rosensteel
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About Community Support Art (CSA)
Since 2013, the New Hazlett Theater’s CSA Performance Series has brought emerging and mid-career performing artists to the stage. We’re passionate about providing a space for Pittsburgh’s amazing pool of creative talent to develop, collaborate, grow, and flourish. From dance to music and original plays to experimental animation, our CSA pushes the boundaries of performance at every show. For more information, visit https://newhazletttheater.org/csa
About The New Hazlett Theater
The New Hazlett Theater is more than a beautifully restored historic building. We’re a nonprofit organization working to nurture and promote art in Pittsburgh through innovation and collaboration. As a creative hub for a diverse range of artists, audiences, and performances, we provide vital resources to creators to enrich our cultural community. For more information on who we are and what we do, please visit www.newhazletttheater.org