Stellaluna

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Ross Zentner

Children's Theater of Madison produces "Stellaluna" at Overture Center, Jan. 29–Feb. 13.

Children's Theater of Madison has adapted Stellaluna, the beloved picture book about a baby bat that goes to live with a family of birds, with music, dance and puppets. Stellaluna becomes friends with the birds, but in the end, she finds her way to her tribe. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Performances take place at 2:30 and 6 p.m. Saturdays and 1 and 4 p.m. Sundays (no 1 p.m. show on Feb. 6).

media release: Children’s Theater of Madison (CTM) brings the popular children's story Stellaluna to a live theater audience in the Playhouse at Overture Center beginning January 29. This show features local deaf actor, John Kinstler, as the main storyteller. Every performance integrates American Sign Language to make the entire show accessible for d/Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing audiences alike.

This highly visual-based, movement piece has multi-layered performances by adult and youth actors, puppeteers, and dancers dedicated to creating a captivating show. Director and choreographer Brian Cowing has partnered with Crom Saunders, director of artistic sign language. Saunders translated the script to artistic sign language, and worked closely with Cowing to consider, with exact detail, the sight lines, lighting, costumes and performance choreography to optimize viewing of the narrator and bring the artistic expression to life. The entire production process has benefitted from the help of longtime ASL interpreters Amy Free and Timothy Mumm. 

Planned over a year ago in the midst of the initial blitz of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show was designed with the need of being "COVID conscious." Director Brian Cowing notes, "When the players were going to be socially distanced and masked on stage, we made an artistic choice of having physical and voice actors separated. While in pre-production for this year's offering, we made the conscious choice to keep it that way, and it suits the story very well. It's truly unlike anything CTM has done before.

"We look forward to seeing audiences experience the combination of so many art forms in one space,'' says Cowing. "We are excited to feature an array of communicative methods. Whether it’s sign, spoken word, music, or movement we hope this show can be accessible to as many people as possible."

Geared toward our youngest audience, Stellaluna is less than an hour and a great intro to theater, something CTM has been doing for generations in the Madison community.

The show is sponsored by Ultratec, a longtime sponsor of CTM celebrating a 7 year partnership. Ultratec works to make telephone access more convenient and reliable for people with hearing loss. Their equipment is recognized worldwide as the standard for excellence in text communications. Narrator John Kinstler has been working for Ultratec for many years.

Stellaluna performs in The Playhouse at Overture Center for 11 public performances from January 29 – February 13. CTM has two more shows both performing in the MYARTS Starlight Theater: Calabasas Street from March 12 – 27, Disney's Freaky Friday The Musical from May 2 – 22.  

Tickets are available now at ctmtheater.org.