Imagination takes center stage in ‘Dragonfly Dawn,’ a magical tale of good vs. evil
Creative outlet provides space for people to 'use their imagination and look at the possibilities beyond the limits of what we know'
It isn’t only just a dream; Jewish artist Joanna Abel and fellow dancers will float across the New Hazlett Theater’s stage on April 24 and 25 during a production of “Dragonfly Dawn.”
Abel, 42, said the show will lead audiences through a “fantastical fairy tale dance concert about good versus evil.”
“Dragonfly Dawn” begins when a cricket’s violin lures a swan to a forest lake. After the parties happily dance with dragonfly friends, a harpy attacks. The enchanted forest’s serenity is threatened by the battle. As the conflict subsides, the story culminates in a dragonfly’s final soaring display.
If the show sounds fantastic, it’s because it is, Abel said: “A lot of the, well, all of the characters are fantastical fantasy animals in a fantasy forest.”
Helping push the narrative forward are “beautiful fusion dance performances, live music, aerial art and recorded music,” she added.
Abel, who was born in Squirrel Hill but grew up in Carnegie, was inspired to create “Dragonfly Dawn” by her love of fairy tales and related works.
“I grew up watching ‘80s films like ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Legend’ and the ‘NeverEnding Story’… I love ‘Lord of the Rings.’ I like mythological creatures, fairies, dragons, mermaids and monsters,” Abel said. “I also have an event every year called ‘Enchanted Creature Ball.’”
Hosting that event spurred creation of “Dragonfly Dawn,” Abel continued, as the former involves participants not only watching a performance but engaging in the immersive experience.
For years, Abel has encouraged Pittsburghers of all ages to explore similarly enveloping undertakings. Along with serving as a teaching artist with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, she often works with educators and students on STEM related-matters.
Although some may be surprised by the relationship between dance, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Abel is happy to explain.
“Each classroom is different and every lesson is custom-designed to the class, [but] if I were teaching second graders about how to solve a word problem, I am going to create a movement lesson that is helping them embody it so they can see it in a different way,” she said.
Imagine a math prompt that involves attending the circus and seeing several different artists.
Under Abel’s tutelage, the students won’t just read about two groups totaling five balancing artists; the students could try a balancing act. Then, the students could see that the five-person group of artists actually consists of two acrobats or three jugglers, who are all artists in their own right. Finally, after learning those artistic skills, the students could return to the prompt and solve the related equation with an understanding of not only math, but the ability to see and “do it in a different way,” she said.
Abel, who leads 3rd Street Belly Dance in Carnegie, said the seriousness of the world requires increased interest in fantasy and exploration.
Whether it’s “Dragonfly Dawn,” or any creative expression, these outlets “provide the space for people to use their imagination and look at the possibilities beyond the limits of what we know,” she said. “They give us permission to dream, and to explore emotion and maybe to also process things that are happening in real life now through a different lens.”
There’s a value to dreaming, Abel said: Hopefully by seeing people dance, move and write together, it can restore a belief in “the power of collaboration and community.”
The value of community, which she routinely stresses in her dance studio, is its reminder that “good will prevail and love conquers all.”
“Dragonfly Dawn” will run April 24-25 at New Hazlett Theater. Tickets are available at newhazletttheater.org. PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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