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.”
“
We want everyone to feel grateful
when they leave ‘My Traveling
Song’—grateful they’ve experienced
a special afternoon forming
wonderful memories with their kids.”
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. ■
Left: My Traveling Song’s
creative team in rehearsal.
Right: Artistic Director Anya Martin
KEYSTONE OAKS
❘
SPRING 2019
15