On Thursday, Aug. 28, Automata presents the world premiere of Blue Waves, a new work by multidisciplinary theater artist and CalArts alum Moira Lael MacDonald (Theater MFA 12). Combining puppetry and projected imagery, Blue Waves paints a poetic portrait of the life of Svetlana Alliluyeva—memoirist, translator, and daughter of Joseph Stalin. The piece traces her journey from an idyllic childhood to the gradual recognition of her father’s character, and ultimately, her perilous escape to the West.
Automata has played a pivotal role in the project’s evolution. Earlier this summer, MacDonald was selected for an artist-in-residence program, using the opportunity to develop the visual and audio language of the piece. During her residency, MacDonald also designed and built the main set, inspired by the Brutalist architecture prevalent in the 1960’s Soviet Union.
In addition to directing, MacDonald also created the sound design, and puppet design and fabrication. Among the cast and a crew are a number of fellow CalArtians. See the full list below:
Puppeteers
Miguel Ayala (Art BFA 17)
Lucas Brahme (Theater MFA 22)
Colette Coriat (Art MFA 27)
Jesse Kingsley
Rachel Lertzman (Theater MFA 25)
Nat Nicholas (Theater MFA 23)
Natalie Painter (Theater BFA 25)
Olivia Xing (Theater MFA 24)
Designers
Set Design: Natalie Ferguson (Theater MFA 22)
Lighting Design: Miles Karraa (Theater BFA 25)
Video Design: Gina Marie Napolitan (Film/Video MFA 12)
Costume Design: Noemi Mendez Colon
Lead Builder: Jesse Kingsley
Set and Prop Design Assistant: Natalie Painter (Theater BFA 25)
Special Thanks: Nat Nicholas (Theater MFA 23)
Puppet Choreography / Development Assistant: Natalie Painter
Performances of Blue Waves begin on Thursday, Aug. 28 and run through Sunday, Aug. 31, with two shows daily starting Friday, Aug. 29. Tickets can be purchased online and advanced reservations are recommended. Please note: This show is not suggested for individuals under the age of 14. Blue Waves includes a silent, stylized depiction of suicide by gunshot.
Automata, located in LA’s Chinatown, was founded in 2004 by artists Susan Simpson (Film/Video MFA 99) and School of Theater faculty Janie Geiser.
