Blown Out of the Water

Another great blog from Michaela Morton!

She is pictured here frolicking to Robert Wendel's Ride of the Headless Horseman with the ensemble. The Winston-Salem Symphony is in the background. This weekend, Open Dream had the good fortune to perform with the Winston-Salem Symphony in a Discovery Concert for kids. Collaborating with a full orchestra in a fancy hall, Julianne choreographed us a smart, silly, and altogether beautiful set of mini-shows. The symphony team was welcoming, and it was especially lovely to perform with a couple of former Open Dreamers, now symphony members. My favorite part of the show was, yet again, the pre-show. As Sonia the Duck, I marched around the lobby for an hour beforehand, quacking and diving while Mr. Cameron chased me with a trombone-rifle (and taking costume notes from audience members -- I added a feathered tail at the request of a young gymnast wearing jazz slippers). Marine and Ted appeared in elegance, dressed to the nines as Jasmine (Aladdin) and the Narrator (Peter and the Wolf). Mr. William stumped about in suspenders with a disgruntled expression and Haydee frolicked as a light-footed Peter. The kids were tickled, as were we all. I feel fortunate that this season of Open Dream has included concert showings as well as school residencies, performances for adults and kids -- we've stretched our skills in so many ways and learned how our work lands with a range of different audiences. We've seen each other at our best and at our beginnings, and that's one more reason to celebrate as the end of this season draws near.