Our performance is a thirty-five minute cut version of the 1994 full-length screenplay Thumbelina by Don Bluth. It is taken from a fairytale and keeps the “Once upon a time… happily ever after” format. It is also a musical with one song and its three reprises. It can at times be cheesy but it also deals with deep themes and has a nostalgic flare, yes for those who have seen the movie but also for everyone who has heard and enjoyed classic fairytales. The original fairytale Thumbelina, originally known as Tommelise, was written in 1835 by Hans Christian Anderson and takes place in the “warm countries” around Denmark which is where Thumbelina’s friend the Sparrow flies back to tell the story to the writer (presumed to be Hans Christian Anderson). The screenplay itself takes place in Paris, France.
This project will give experience to designers, actors, etc. who are just starting out and need to begin somewhere. Its format is familiar but it provides quite of few challenging opportunities that will require us to work together and think outside the box in order to find solutions. Actors will need to work around finding real emotion in what most will consider a kid’s musical. Additionally, we will need to find ways to establish deep connection in a play about supporting and strengthening one another in an online format where most if not all the actors will be in separate locations. Designers will need to find ways to communicate the story through their design element in a space that cannot be controlled in the ways to which they are used. We need to discover solutions to problems such as flight, separate spaces, differences between size of actors and their environment, and changing of seasons with different modes of communication and limited resources.
I aim for everyone in the production to develop patience, love, and humility as we work through problems to which we may not feel we have satisfying answers. Just as the show encourages us to come together to heal and renew each other, I hope that we can show compassion and support to each other throughout the process in order to create a show that will inspire and elevate those participating in it. While navigating this new, complicated format and this show’s needs, I hope that all those a part of this play will learn how to face challenges, effectively communicate with kindness, and create uplifting work in the future.