The Stories
CAP-O-RUSHES
Melody Bates' original take on "Cap-o-rushes" draws inspiration from many folktales in the family that includes Cinderella and King Lear's Cordelia (Aaarne-Thompson-Uther tale type 510B, "the persecuted heroine," for the folklore nerds out there). Melody's version is unique in its invention and combination of elements, and deep inquiry into the experience of each character. Jennifer Paar's costume design for "Cap-o-rushes" involves a fabulous coup de couture -- allowing the titular cap of rushes to transform into a magical dress made of starlight. You truly have to see it to believe it.
ALL THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD
"All the Birds of the World" is an original story by Melody Bates. Inspired in part by the dress made of one feather from every bird in the world from "Cap-o-rushes," Melody crafted a fable in which every thousand years, all the great mythical birds of the world meet to perform a mysterious ritual that keeps the music of the spheres in tune. But things have changed in the last millennium, and this year the ritual isn't working--until a little mortal mockingbird has an idea. Jennifer's costume design for this story features a sequin gown with art deco flourishes, and a couture cape with hundreds of embroidered and hand-painted feathers, all stitched together by hand. This tale has also been staged for aerial performance in collaboration with director
Nicki Miller, aerial rigger Benjamin E. Oyzon, and 5th Wall Studio.
THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES
"The Twelve Dancing Princesses" is written by Melody Bates & Judith Jerome. Taking flight from tales of princesses with mysteriously worn-out dancing shoes (ATU type 306), Melody's concept tosses out the gender binary and offers a delightful, humane, and exuberant conclusion to the tale of tattered dancing slippers. Jennifer's costume design for "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" plays with gender the way a child might, freely, taking whatever suits the fancy. It combines "masculine" military elements and boots with a tutu, and features an armor breastplate and helmet custom-made by Peter Beerits from materials that include an old stage light, a pot lid, and a well-traveled hubcap.
DIAMONDS AND TOADS
"Diamonds and Toads" is written by Melody Bates, drawing inspiration from "Les Fees" by Charles Perrault and ATU tale type 480 (the kind and unkind girls). A hilarious and unflinching dive into the underbelly of wicked stepmother and stepsister stories, Melody's take on this tale comes complete with a marvelous fairy godmother named Florabella, a talking toad, and a true happy ending that doesn't rely on prince charming. Jennifers's costume design features a rococo silhouette, ribbons and ruffles, bejeweled fabric and adornments, and hand-made gossamer wings. Florabella's wand is topped with a jeweled lotus flower.
