Morgan Beckwith : Southport, CT

Last week Goran and I ventured out of the studio for our interview. A tour of Mystic Ballet’s local theatre production space. The theatre is located in the midst of the specialty shops and attractions of Olde Mystic Village (http://www.oldemistickvillage.com/).

It is modeled after a vintage theatre, serving customers who are inclined to see indie movies, musical musings, and most importantly live dance. This venue caters to both the local population and the onslaught of tourists who descend annually.

This concept is blatantly reflected in Goran’s programmatic advertising in conjunction with the theatre. He has positioned two advertisements bookending the vintage Olde Mystic village sign (pictured above). This invites the residents of Mystic and to claim Mystic Ballet as part of their contemporary milieu while welcoming the many travelers to experience the work of this evolving young company. Combining the historic and established continuation of Mystic’s history as a township with current and inventive performing arts forges a cultivated relationship. These billboards work in association with the classic sign by juxtaposition, acknowledging that these two concepts of tradition and innovation can appreciate each other and work off one another to create something quite unique. The combination of antique turn-of-the-century decoration with modern amenities creates an dynamic atmosphere. While the theatre also combines new and old technologies with foot lights, illuminating the dancers in a very traditional manner while also incorporating modern recording and staging capabilities by way of the sound booth and extra facilities.

Goran has invested a great deal of capital into the technology and professional nature of this venue. It is certainly an intimate space for viewing dance, but this is arguably the most advantageous way to experience this type of contemporary work. Goran acknowledges that as the whole concept of live performance becomes even more convoluted with available technology the trend is to get audience members closer to the things they simply cannot receive through digitized information. Human passion, interaction, and vulnerability witnessed in the flesh is a completely different experience through any alternate means. Therefore, company artistic directors and venue managers capitalize on this advantage while they can.

This modest-sized and personal theatre situated in the whimsical and quaint town of Mystic has incredible potential to hold a spectacular night of stirring live dance. I look forward to seeing these dances being realized in this stimulating space.