The Stone-Carver's Workshop

A Clockwork Corps de Ballet Production

The Stone-Carver’s Workshop

An Original Ballet

Until We Dance Together Again

Written by Dr.John Craton

Produced and Co-Directed by Lilian Lukomski 

Choreographed and  Co-Directed by Cheryl Wellum Wagner

Cast

The Visiting Girl - Lilian Lukomski

Marceline(Statue of a Young Girl) - Izabelle Jones

Edouard(Statue of a Soldier) - Shena Jones

Marie-Louise(Statue of a Nurse) - Cheryl Wellum Wagner

Poppies - Olivia Christmas, Katherine Keller, Bria Hattabaugh

Narrator - Bryce Christmas

Scene  One

(The Visiting Girl, Poppies)

In Verdun, France shortly after the end of World War 1, a young girl wanders through the woods. After walking for some time she finds herself in a field of poppies. As she begins to pick the flowers, they come to life and dance with her. The girl sees an abandoned building in the distance and begins to walk towards it. The poppies try to prevent her from going to the building ,but she refuses to listen to them and enters it anyway.

Scene Two

(The Visiting Girl, Marceline, Poppies)

The visiting girl enters the building and turns on a light. She looks around and realizes that she is in an old stone-carvers workshop. Then she sees four objects shrouded with sheets and uncovers one of them. She finds a statue of a girl about her age ,and places a crown of flowers on her head. The statue girl comes to life and celebrates her newfound ability to move with the visitor. The two become fast friends and dance together until Marceline begins to feel ill. The Visitor sees one of the poppies from earlier and goes to investigate as it appears to be dying. After concluding there is nothing she can do for the flower, the visitor looks up and sees Marceline laying on the floor. She rushes over to see if she is okay, but receives no response. Marceline is dead once more.

Scene Three

(the Visiting  Girl, Edouard,  Poppies)

Still reeling from the loss of  her new-found friend, the visiting girl hesitates and wonders if she should continue unveiling the objects. After looking back at Marceline, she uncovers the second object and reveals a statue of a soldier. He comes to life and they dance together as he tells her about his time in the trenches. Before long the poppies return and he too is dead.

Scene Four

(The Visiting Girl, Marie-Louise,  Edouard, Poppies)

Scared and confused, the visiting girl once again contemplates whether or not she should unveil the remaining objects before curiosity wins out and she makes her way to the third object. She uncovers it and finds a statue of a nurse. The nurse comes to life and invites the visiting girl to dance with her as she explains not just her life as a nurse ,but also as a wife and mother. The other two statues revive and the three of them share a final dance together as a family before they are pulled apart from each other. Still processing what she has just seen, the visiting girl pulls the sheet off of the final object and finds a tombstone. The tombstone of a young family who died together and became a part of the tragic carnage caused by the war. 

The Music

(Composed by Dr.John Craton)

Within the meticulously crafted score, the echoes of two well-known French melodies, both familiar and haunting, permeate the air. The spirited motif of "Gentil Coquelicot," a cherished children's song of the era, weaves its delicate threads throughout the journey of Marceline, the young girl statue. Meanwhile, the somber strains of "Verdun! On ne passe pas," a soldier's song from World War I, serve as the haunting theme for Edouard, the soldier. Through these melodies, the ballet finds a soulful connection to the heritage it seeks to honor.

Why Poppies?

Victorian flower language, a fascinating and intricate form of communication, arose during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century. During this era, certain flowers were assigned specific meanings, allowing individuals to convey sentiments and emotions without uttering a single word. Poppies, with their vibrant petals and delicate allure, held profound symbolism in this floral lexicon. Often associated with remembrance, consolation, and eternal sleep, poppies became poignant symbols of both sacrifice and the transience of life. Their scarlet hues embodied the bloodshed of war, particularly referencing the fields of Flanders during World War I. In Victorian flower language, the poppy's silent message whispered of remembrance for the fallen and offered solace to those left behind, forever reminding humanity of the fragility and resilience intertwined within the human experience. 

All Proceeds From Ticket Sales Will go to Windfall Dancers 

Windfall is a fully qualified 501 (c)3 non-profit organization made up of performance- and education-oriented components, including the Windfall Dance Company, the Windfall Junior Company, and the Windfall School of Dance.Windfall Dancers seeks to ignite a passion for dance in the community by providing quality instruction, engaging performances and innovative community outreach in a nurturing environment for creative expression.

Special Thanks to: 

Jasper Middle School, Dr.John Craton, Cheryl Wellum Wagner