The Lost Colony of the Argonauts at Arts On Site

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2. The Lost Colony of the Argonauts

The Lost Colony of the Argonauts is a multidisciplinary performance inspired by Greek mythology, the “Lost Colony” of British settlers who came to North Carolina in the late 1500’s, the Wright Brothers, climate science, and 80’s jazz dance. This dance theater piece borrows from ballet, flamenco and musical theater, using video, props, and costumes to create characters who transform through a non-linear relationship with time that allows for flexibility and humor in story-telling. The story explores scientific inquiry, imperialism, and the desire to leave everything behind to pursue the promise of adventure and riches. 

The Lost Colony of the Argonauts is performed by a cast of six dancers/actors who play multiple roles in the overlapping narratives. While only men appeared onstage in ancient Greek theater, here all of the parts are played by women. The music is drawn from ancient and modern Greek composers, as well as Renaissance chamber music, and American minimalism. Excerpts and earlier versions of the piece have been presented at the Scarsdale Library, 514 Broadway, the Clio Art Fair, Putnam County Dance Project and NACHMO. 

A quote from the director, Christy Walsh:

“This project is important to me because it combines different forms of art to tell stories on the stage - which is a special place for me.”

Christy Walsh is a multidisciplinary artist who started her performance career as a child, singing, acting and dancing with her grandmother’s musical theater company, Norfolk Musical Theater. Walsh went on to a career with regional companies and independent choreographers - all while studying photography and art. Currently, Walsh works in many media: dance, video, photography, painting, drawing and sculpture - often inspired by philosophy of mind, metaphysics, fiction and poetry. Walsh’s dance-theater works include evening length and site-specific pieces produced in various places in New York, Texas, Virginia, and in Chios, Greece. Her art and award-winning films and videos have been presented in galleries and festivals all over the world. 

Choreography and direction: Christy Walsh

Production: Spyros Stefanou and Christy Walsh

Music: Arnold Dreyblatt, Panos Stefos, Petros Tabouris, Tsev and Unico Wilhelm van Wassenaer.

Dancers: Rachel Caron, Livia England, Dafni Mari, Vanessa Martinez de Banos, Sayuri Tanabe

Costumes: Sally Lesser, Christy Walsh, Alice Wamsley

Props: Christy Walsh

Video: Spyros Stefanou and Christy Walsh

The Lost Colony of the Argonauts received a Support for Artists grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).