PCT is developing a new show this September as part of our Artist Residency at Circus Center. Based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, The Nightingale is a magical and moving love story in our signature style that explores themes of power, wealth, technology, nature, and possession. Save the date for our work-in-progress performances on October 4-5 at Circus Center.
What does it mean to develop a show? Well, a new show like The Nightingale requires creation time with the artistic team and performers to refine the script and story, develop the musical score and soundscape, and create the movement style and circus landscape. We began creation on September 3 with a script, drafts of all of the music, and plenty of ideas and inspiration. Development is extremely fun and creative work, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. Like any process for bringing something new into the world, it is awesome, joyous, and terrifying!
Another important step in developing a new show is the work-in-progress performance. We learn so much from sharing our new creation with an audience. It is extremely useful to hear what the audience felt, experienced, and understood as they watched.
Then we will take everything we learned and let it marinate. We will revise the script and score as needed. We will plan for upgrades to the acrobatics and choreography. And we will begin developing the other design elements like costumes, set, and videography. When the time is right, we will dive back in to rehearsal in preparation for the next phase - the world premiere production!
