The Origins

Illustration by: Dana Wolfekotte

From Page to Stage

How a trip to the library inspired an entire work of art.

Choreographer Dominic Moore-Dunson has been an artist for many years, but several years ago he took on the role of being a father. Dominic talks in his interview with Dance Magazine about how this ultimately led to this production of The Remember Balloons. It was a simple library trip that would become a catalyst. Dominic and his wife Ashley went to the library with their young children and found the story book "The Remember Balloons" by Jessie Oliveros. Moved to tears by the story of James and his grandfather Dominic showed the book to Ashley and his children. It was then that Ashley shared the story of her own grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer's and the experience of watching her grandmother forget who she was.

Dominic was so moved he reached out to the author expressing his appreciation for her work in a letter and toward the end he mentioned that he would love to create a staged adaptation of the book, almost as an aside. Dominic did not anticipate any response but as we can see Oliveros not only responded but embraced the idea for the project.

Soon after connecting with Oliveros, Dominic and Ashley worked together to start securing funding for the project. While doing this Dominic pulled in his friend and composer Theron Brown and dancers he had previously worked with.

These artists came together in a dance studio in Ohio to start creating both the music and choreography. They worked simultaneously. At times the music inspired movement and others the movement inspired the music.

After creating choreography and music, Dominic sought the expertise of technical artist Scott Leathers to aide in creating the projections seen in this work of art. Using Leathers' unique skills and illustrations from the original book by Dana Wolfekotte and costume design by Inda Blatch-Geib they helped create another world on stage. Bringing all these elements together, Dominic and his team of artists, bring their audience into Oliveros' book.

Choreographer Interview

On August 6, 2025, EFA hosted a virtual conversation with Dominic. Below are the notes from that interview:

Choreographer Interview: The Remember Balloons

Activity & Exploration Ideas

A Trip to the Library!

A simple trip to the library to explore different stories. Discuss in the classroom what inspiration is, how it doesn't have to always be "exciting" that inspiration can have many feelings (sad, silly, confusing, proud, etc).

Take a trip to the school library and have each student find a book that inspires them. In pairs, groups, or as a class have students share what they find inspiring about the book. They can also discuss or share how they would recreate the story.

Would they read it out loud?

Would they make an illustration of it?

Would they make a diarama?

Would they act it or dance it out?

Would they make it into a movie?

Make Memory Balloons!

Younger students:

Draw/point/cut out a balloon shape.
Write about or illustrate a favorite memory.
Students can share these in partners, small groups, or with the class.

Older students:

Each student receives a balloon to blow up and tie.
Then, using a marker they can write about a memory they have.
When everyone is done, turn on some music and have a little party, bouncing the balloons all around the room until the music stops.
When the music stops have each student grab the balloon closest to them.
Then everyone takes turns reading the memory on the balloon they have picked up.
This can be done anonymously without writing names on balloons or with. In either instance this can open discussions for understanding, empathy, and how our lives can look both very similar and very different.

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