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
“
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.”
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
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
❘
SPRING 2019
13