Ashley Chavonne, Pillow Fort, Episode 1
The pandemic has hit the Performing Arts world exceedingly hard.
We haven't been able to return to live performances, yet. We haven't been able to even rehearse in the same room. In NYC, it wasn't until the end of September we could have 6 people in the same studio. We still can't make dance because of the contact with each other.
In America, the Performing Arts sector remains closed for the foreseeable future.
To meet this unprecedented moment, Treehouse Shakers is developing a new web-series, Pillow Fort. This is an 8-part mighty mini-series, for young people, ages 3-7. This is one way that we can continue to create and serve our audiences, until it is safe to perform inside again.
Pillow Forts are a place of safety and comfort, where imagination is ignited and children can explore creativity. Our new series meets young children in an intelligent, imaginative setting, and gives them the additional tools necessary for play. Each 5-7 minute episode explores new adventures, emotional feelings, and explores the power of imagination. Using original music, choreography, animation, and powerful storytelling, our new web series is the perfect way to meet our young audiences in their new normal. Pillow Fort allows our company to continue to create, employ our company members, and serve new audiences across the world, while also developing new work that will live on long after the pandemic has passed.
The First Pillow Fort Slate
The idea of Pillow Fort came from company member, John Noel. Loading our heavy sets back and forth in January and February, John would half-jokingly say, "Our next show should be about Pillow Forts so we only have to carry pillows." So when the pandemic hit, he brought it up again and this time to speak to the comforting elements of Pillow Forts. I was immediately on board, as was the company, and the project was born. I began writing the scripts, Emily Bunning began creating movement, Anthony Rizzo began creating the music and John began figuring out how to shoot and edit the pieces. In late summer we began doing read throughs of the script and eventually rehearsals with the company on zoom. Then, at the beginning of October, we were reunited in person again to shoot the first three episodes.
Trey Coates-Mitchell, Pillow Fort Host, during Episode 1
It was a process to gather. We all had to get tested for COVID-19. We had to schedule each actor separately, no one does a scene together in the same shot. And then when we arrived, we rented a space for 48 hours, so that we could limit who was in the room. We all wore masks. We stayed apart as much as possible. Working together again was like coming home. It felt so good. We cried. We laughed, we jumped at every opportunity to help each other. We had truly missed working together. We had gone from non stop early morning call times, performances, to long drives back to the city. We have spent countless hours traveling together, eating together, rehearsing together, performing together. To suddenly have our life together stop, was jarring. It felt unnatural. Being together to shoot Pillow Fort, made the world feel normal again.
Granny B, played by Ashley Chavonne, Episode 1
In the coming weeks we will begin to release
Pillow Fort out into the world. And we hope to shoot the next three episodes before the end of the year. We can't wait to share what we are creating, and to offer young people a place of comfort and safety again.
Miranda Wilson (Slate), with Katie Montoya (Lighthouse Keeper) and John Noel (Camera)
More About Treehouse Shakers
Treehouse Shakers creates programming that encourage multi-generational audiences to experience a connection to their community. Our purpose remains as it was when we created our first dance-play in 1997: To capture the artistically rich beauty and simplicity of the human imagination. Melding dance, music, and interactive visual elements with a script, our repertoire includes sixteen works that addresses every age level within youth programming.
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