COMING out of COVID
Safe-distancing had become the new normal, and theatres were still wondering how to re-open their doors to live audiences. Meanwhile, public events were popping up now and again in outdoor settings in town and country. But in New England what might be possible during the upcoming winter season? And what about summer?
Two possibilities were presented to me during this time, and I was eager to enage in both!
WINTER
During COVID imaginary beasts' long-standing lighting designer, Christopher Bocchiaro, moved to NYC and established a company:
Clerestory Lighting Productions, "an interdisciplinary design and production studio specializing in creating unique immersive experiences...we seek out the spirit of special places and help to tell their stories."
When Chris reached out about collaborating on their Winter 2020/21 production in celebration of the Winter Solstice at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, I was all in! I got to work on shaping the story, writing the script, and even coordinating segments of shadow puppetry with local artist Rebecca Lehrhoff as puppet maker. What serious fun!
When those who dwell in the house have gone,
When doors are locked, and the curtains drawn,
What wondrous stories will come to light
On the shortest day and longest night?
SUMMER
As 2022 rolled around I had already experienced multiple modes of performance in response to our collective COVID experience. Summer was coming on fast, and some theater's had started to offer in-person performances with safe-distancing protocols (and masked audiences) in place. Brainstorming with members of my company, we came up with a novel idea for our 2022 Panto. Why not move our traditional wintertime offering to the summer and perform it in an outdoor setting?
Soon I was planning a promenade-style Panto based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale, THUMBELINA. Our venue was perfect: The Boston Nature Center, an Audubon Society property located in Mattapan, MA.
Limiting audience sizes per performance allowed families to attend safely. Theatre and a ramble through a natural preserve? What could be more magical?
Once upon a lonely hour,
A woman picked a wishing flower…
And then –
 The Longest Night |  The Longest Night |
|---|---|
 The Longest Night |  The Longest Night |
 The Longest Night |  The Longest Night |
 The Longest Night |  The Longest Night |
 The Longest Night |  The Longest Night |
 The Longest Night |  The Longest Night |
 Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |  Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |
|---|---|
 Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |  Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |
 Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |  Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |
 Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |  Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |
 Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |  Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |
 Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |  Winter Panto 2022: Thumbelina |
Castle Hill Illuminated returns with a new sound and light show for the holidays,
The LONGEST NIGHT
Experience the magic of the Winter Solstice as a multi-sensory experience in the landscape.
The 40-minute show featuring music, narration, and lights will take you from scene to scene around the exterior of the Great House.
Warm up by our campfires while you wait for your show to start. Hot chocolate and coffee available for purchase. Visit the pop-up holiday gift shop for select Castle Hill and Crane Beach merchandise.
This night-time spectacle combines music, narration, and lighting to offer you a new and exciting way to experience Castle Hill.
The imaginary beasts ensemble spent this winter in hibernation, but spring has sprung, and this year’s annual Panto is in full bloom! Announcing....
Summer Panto 2022:
THUMBELINA
(a Pocket-Sized Adventure)
It’s a great big world out there – especially when you’re no bigger than a thumb! When little Thumbelina finds herself far away from home, she embarks on a grand adventure that will send her downriver, underground, and through the air, as she attempts to find her way back to her garden. What critters will she meet along the way, and will they help or hinder her?
Audiences will follow Thumbelina on her epic journey – literally – in this out-of-doors promenade performance that moves from location to location on the beautiful grounds of the Boston Nature Center.