Clare Cook Dance Theater & The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
Premiere: October 18, 2014
Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette, La
About The Project
The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra commissioned Clare Cook Dance Theater to create an original modern dance version of Stravinsky's FIREBIRD. The Firebird as conceived by CCDT is an ambitious project crossing boundaries of artistic disciplines as well as geographical regions that includes dancers and designers from both New York City and Louisiana. This project focused on bringing together different artistic communities to provide excellence in artistic production while also offering a hands-on community engagement approach through educational outreach workshops in local schools.
Clare Cook Dance Theater's character of the Firebird highlights the beauty, power and intuition of this magical bird as an all-knowing leader of the enchanted forest. She has the power to give life and to take it away, choosing to wield this power in the most just of ways while still embodying her birdlike instincts. As the wayfaring Prince Ivan wanders into her forest, his encounter leads to further discoveries of the world just beyond the village gates. Inside is King Kaschei, who was once good but is now power hungry and has brought evil upon his entire kingdom. Everyone who inhabits his village has been transformed into a wicked creature through the actions of the king. The only human not under this evil spell is the king's daughter. She longs to leave the kingdom gates to find a loving and supportive community meant for good. When Prince Ivan stumbles upon the princess in the enchanted forest, they find love in each other and Prince Ivan enters Kaschei's kingdom to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. Drama and lots of dancing ensue as the Firebird arrives to save the day and restore balance to the land. Because of the Firebird, good prevails over evil.
Cast & Creative Team
Choreography by Clare Cook | Music Direction by Mariusz Smolij | Costume Design by Liam O'Brien | Lighting Design by Tim Stark
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Catie Cuan as The Firebird | Stanton Jacinto as Prince Ivan | Emily Cook Harris as The Princess | Christian 'Pepe' Serrano Godén as King Kaschei
Ensemble: Frances Barker, Julie Carson, Sydni Hart, Jennifer Lakamp, Erin Pelletier, Brittanie Scroggs, Angela Thomas
Local Press
FIREBIRD: Behind the Scenes
Rehearsal Gallery
all photos by Molly Torian Photography
