Pointless Theatre Returns to Mead Theatre Lab with SLEEPING BEAUTY: A PUPPET BALLET, 4/11

CulturalDC is pleased to present Pointless Theatre's newest work Sleeping Beauty: A Puppet Ballet as part of the 2013-14 Mead Theatre Lab Program at Flashpoint. Known for their unique puppet spectacles, Pointless-the 2014 recipients of the John Aniello Outstanding Emerging Theatre Award-now turns their attention to an original adaptation of P. I. Tchaikovsky's iconic ballet The Sleeping Beauty. Helmed by director Matt Reckeweg, this highly visual spectacle will feature Pointless' distinctive blend of dance, pantomime and puppetry, to weave a fantastical tale of the extremes of love.

Pointless Theatre's adaptation of this classic story will be set to the grand, sweeping score originally created by Tchaikovsky. The main characters of the show, including Sleeping Beauty and The Prince, will be represented by tabletop puppets brought to life by the eight-person ensemble. Each of these puppets will be manipulated by three performers-one person controlling the head, the hands, and the feet respectively-allowing for the puppets themselves to move as gracefully as any prima ballerina. Through the use of pantomime, pageantry, and mask work each performer will also take on a distinctive performer identity outside of just being a puppeteer.

Set Designer and Co-Artistic Director Patti Kalil will be transforming the Mead Theatre Lab into a lavish and grand ballet theatre reminiscent of the late 19th and early 20th century houses. Much of the visual inspiration has been drawn from the Ballet Russes. "We want to immerse our audience in this world of grandeur and elegance the moment they step through the door," says Kalil.

Sleeping Beauty holds a special place in the history of Pointless Theatre;: it was the first production that the company ever produced. The show originally debuted as a part of the 2010 Capital Fringe Festival. This production will be significantly different from the original production, however, with completely redesigned puppets, scenery, staging, and sound design. "We have learned a lot since our first production," says Reckeweg. "We are thrilled to be working with CulturalDC again and to have the opportunity to re-imagine this production."

Sleeping Beauty: A Puppet Ballet runs approximately 1 hour with no intermission and is appropriate for all ages . Performances start April 9 and run through May 3, Wednesdays to Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm. Preview performances will be held on April 9 and 10. Preview performances will be Pay-what-you-can performances.

ABOUT POINTLESS THEATRE
Pointless Theatre Co. is dedicated to creating bold, visceral, and affordable spectacles that gleefully smash the traditional boundaries between puppetry, theatre, dance, music, and the visual arts. Through our work we excite a passion for adventurous art in the nation's capital and nurture a diverse, active, and inspired audience.

TICKETS
Tickets for Sleeping Beauty: A Puppet Ballet start at $15.00 for students and seniors 65+. Adult tickets are available starting at $20.00. Tickets are available for purchase at www.pointlesstheatre.com and www.culturaldc.org

ABOUT MEAD THEATRE LAB PROGRAM
CulturalDC operates the Mead Theatre Lab Program and its intensive mentorship program for performing artists and independent theatre companies. Inaugurated in January 2006, the program provides theatre space, technical production support and production mentoring. A panel of noted DC theatre professionals selects the projects and provides guidance to the chosen producers. The result is an eclectic group of innovative, edgy productions and an environment in which emerging performing artists can grow.

The Mead Theatre Lab Program at Flashpoint, a CulturalDC project, is generously sponsored by The Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts, the Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Graham Holdings Company, The Mary & Daniel Loughran Foundation and The Weissberg Foundation.

Funding for CulturalDC is generously provided by Bank of America Charitable Foundation, The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, Graham Holdings Company, The Kresge Foundation, the MARPAT Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Prince Charitable Trusts, Nordstrom, The Share Fund of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region and many other generous partners. Marvin is CulturalDC's 2013-14 Wine Partner.

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