The Making
of a
Memory
Hiawatha Project’s latest
production creates an
environment for the
youngest children to
learn, love and be loved.
BY W.B. FRESA
C
hildhood memories are part of
the human fabric. Most of us
can remember a special time
with Mom or Dad, coloring on
a rainy day, playing a favorite
game or even splashing in a
rain puddle. Taking this to
heart, Hiawatha Project, a professional
Pittsburgh-based theater company founded
in 2011, has created its newest production,
“My Traveling Song,” to help promote those
special memories in young children.
“This production is a breakaway from
our more intense productions, ‘Camino’
and ‘JH: Mechanics of a Legend,’ which
were created for adult audiences,” says
Anya Martin, Hiawatha Project’s Founding
Artistic Director. “It’s a new play with
music specifically created to bring joy to
both young children and adults. The entire
creative team for this show is made up of
professional artists who are also mothers of
young children.”
The show runs April 5-14. Children ages
1 to 5 and adults will be enchanted by “My
Traveling Song.” In this unique play, a mother
and child are confronted with unexpected
natural obstacles. They weather earthquakes,
windstorms and rhythmical rains by relying
on music and play, as well as sweet and silly
memories and new discoveries about the
world around them.
“It’s an interactive, original production that
uplifts memory, music and sensory elements
from nature to create a theatrical experience
designed to strengthen
relationships between child
and caregiver,” says Martin.
“The show is especially
created to be experienced in
pairs or in small groups of
children and grown-ups who
love them.
“The production reveals
connections between loved
ones, communities and the
physical world around us
that help us feel safe, loved
and free to imagine a more
empathic and playful world,” she continues.
“We have designed various natural elements
specifically to counterbalance good and bad
emotions. Thunderstorms relinquish
to cheerful mud puddles, and darkness
reveals magical firefly constellations in the
night sky.”
“My Traveling Song” is a two-year project
in the making. It’s comprised of an all-female
creative team of working professional artists,
who are also parents of young children.
Several of them reside in the South Hills,
including Martin, who’s the associate
producer; actor Heather Irwin; actor and
lead composer Monica Stephenson; and
production manager Tina Marie Cerny.
“We wanted to have an all-female cast and
creative team for this production, and we’re
happy it shines a light on the need for equity
and representation of women
in the professional fields
of theater,” notes Martin.
“We’re also excited to bring in
Heather Graff for this show,
an accomplished lighting
designer from Los Angeles
who is also the mother of a
young child.”
She adds, “The tactile
elements in the show, such as
kinetic sand and falling leaves,
encourage children and
adults to play and be present
together in the moment. Every aspect of this
show has been researched and considered
carefully as a way to enhance our audience’s
experience. The music is light and easy, so
kids can sing it again when they leave, and
showtimes revolve around naptime and
playtime for children and their caregivers.”
The world premiere of “My Traveling
Song” debuts at Carnegie Stage in the South
Hills. Seating is limited to 40 per show and
tickets are available now.
“We want everyone to feel grateful when
they leave ‘Traveling Song,’” says Martin,
“grateful they’ve experienced a special
afternoon forming wonderful memories
with their kids, and feeling like they’ve been
wrapped in a warm blanket together.”
To learn more about Hiawatha Project, or
to order tickets, visit HiawathaProject.org. n
CARLYNTON-MONTOUR
❘
SPRING 2019
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