SO WHAT THE HECK IS THIS SHOW?

“Dragons in the Mountain,” is an original theater work produced by Star of the Sea Studios working in collaboration with members of Appalachian State University and the richly talented community of the North Carolina High Country. The work thematically explores humanity in nature: the state of the natural environment in relation to the condition of the personal spirit.

The production will feature puppets and masks, poetry and song, video, photography and live music in order to create a layered tableau weaving story and place in a mythical Appalachian landscape. 

The story follows a worn down, burnt out environmental activist as he embarks on a visionary journey to (re-) connect with a sustainable energy of the soul. The audience as witness to his personal transformation encounters Ancestral Spirits, Wild Beasts, Celestial Companions, Wizards, Trolls, Gnarly Crones, Elemental Forces and of course…DRAGONS!

HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THIS STUFF?

The original puppets designed and created by Kathy Ford are diverse in form, style and size. The puppet ensemble includes bunraku, stick, rod and hand puppets all fashioned by the artists own hands. Generally rigid lightweight materials form the inner structures upon which are applied outer layers of foam and mesh. The next stage brings the characters to life as rich detailed layers of paint and costuming are daubed and stitched to the base structure. Re-purposed materials are used often, up-cycled from Goodwill shelves and ReStore warehouse bays.

The video and digital art elements designed and created by Alistair Burke will be featured on projection screens. Using both original and archival photography a highly layered video will provide the visual backdrop to place the audience in an Appalachian landscape where people, place, time and space merge. The images are created by compositing layers of still photography and video.

Liz Rose, Professor of Music at Appalachian State University directs the musical components of the show which are broad in range and wonderfully diverse! A four piece band forms the instrumentation of the show including trombone, harp, piano and drums. The choral moments are performed by a choral quartet and choir. The music features selections from Malcolm Dalglish's, "Hymnody of Earth,” a work that sets the ecological poetry of Wendell Berry to choral music.

WHO ARE THE THEATRICAL CONJURERS BEHIND THIS MAGIC AND MAYHEM?

Kathy Ford is a mother, spiritualist wild woman, puppeteer and theatrical artist. She has worked over the last 30 years as an artist "without borders." weaving her magic with K-12, collegiate, special education and womens communities alike. She has a deep respect and love for Earth based traditions which continue to inform and inspire her work profoundly.

Alistair Burke is a photographer, digital artist, cook and mens group participant who has 15+ years of experience producing photography and film. He tries daily to balance time spent in the binary world of the computer arts by disappearing into the deep woods with his wife and 2 dogs. Recently he performed as a villainous C.E.O cockroach in a post-apocalyptic-steampunk version of Aesop's The Grasshopper and the Ant - with great relish!

Liz Rose, Ph.D.,  is a musician, gardener, wife, mother, and environmental activist who has been making community art for 32 years. She is currently a professor of music at Appalachian State University where she teaches creative process through improvisation, expressive arts therapy, and music therapy.  She has participated in community arts experiences at the international level and continues to gently weave her life in reciprocity with the incredible landscape of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

WHAT IS STAR OF THE SEA STUDIOS ALL ABOUT AND WHAT OTHER SHOWS HAVE THEY PRODUCED?

Star of the Sea Studios is a theatrical production company based in the foothills of South Eastern Appalachia. We produce ceremonial theater with fantastical puppets, masks, costume, projected imagery and music using both the talents of professional and community performers.

Our last project entitled The Shining Seas was a response to the Gulf Oil Spill with over 65 participants, 45 performers and a puppet gallery of 40+ puppets including a 25 foot whale!!!

A Pageant in the Woods was performed in the woods of the historic Gate Hill Intentional Community in Stony Point, NY. (Retreat home to John Cage, Merce Cunningham and M.C. Richards) The production featured a cast of 30+ performers in a visionary Cycle of Life story.

WHAT SORT OF GIFTING CAN I RECEIVE WITH A PLEDGE TO SUPPORT "DRAGONS?"

You can read in the right hand column the various pledge levels you can support the show. At all levels you will receive an honorary producer credit in our playbill. For those ($15 - $1000) whose pledge receives a signed and printed version of an original art work from the show see images below for examples of image we will send you. (and above Green Man of the Black Woods and Two Trees.)

Also as you can see at the $1500 level of pledge, you will receive an Original Art Quilt created by Kathy Ford. Choice of quilt comes on a first come, first pledge basis! (See images below.)

At the $2000 level you will receive - and I can't believe I'm writing this as I am so excited for you - A workshop with Kathy Ford and Alistair Burke for you and up to 7 friends to create your own original DRAGON puppets. If you are out of state we will be happy to make your reward available to a local organization (Senior center, school, etc) in your stead.

And the Grand Kahuna reward at the $3000 level drum roll please BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.......We are putting it all on the line here as.....We put you and 1 guest up in our home, bed and breakfast-style for an enriching weekend of creativity, natural beauty and good eats! (Friday evening - Sunday afternoon) Woohoo!

I love the sound of this production - now how do I get tickets for this wild event?

Easy. Just click here and purchase tickets from ASU's Performing Arts Series web page for our show.