” Working with so many diverse talents over the last ten years has been eye opening. All the different needs, desires, and gifts that these artists have to offer!”
Responder: John DiDonna, Creator/Founder/Director of Phantasmagoria
Name of Company: Phantasmagoria / Phantasmagoria Atlanta
Name of Show: “Through a Tale Darkly
1. Why should anybody see your show?
The Main Phantasmagoria troupe is now celebrating its 10th Anniversary as “One of the most unique theater troupes in the country” (Good Day Atlanta) – Phantasmagoria is a wonderful tapestry of movement, puppetry, dance, Horror literature, folklore and legend – all in one Phantasmagorical presentation! The Orlando Troupe performs 12 months out of the year and the new Atlanta Troupe has already had 3 incredible shows in the last 8 months!
2. Why Atlanta?
We have toured multiple times to Atlanta and have so many collaborators in that area that we just had to start the new troupe up there! Atlanta Fringe welcomed us with open arms a few years back when they booked us in for a special summer appearance.
3. What inspired you to create this?
John DiDonna (creator/director) and his love of Horror Literature, Theater, Storytelling and Circus. To create a multi-media, multi-art/genre show that immerses the audience into a new world of Phantasmagoria.
4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?
Each main stage show takes about 1 year to research and write, with readings and rewrites occurring within the troupe. The rehearsal process includes dance training, puppetry training, movement training, aerial training (depending on show). Stage combat and main rehearsals.
5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?
Working with so many diverse talents over the last ten years has been eye opening. All the different needs, desires, and gifts that these artists have to offer!
6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and Donald Glover roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?
Our Stage Combat Director hands them swords. We let them work it out for themselves.
7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)
LOL. It is so diverse with tales from all over the world I would say it is a diverse smorgasbord of tastes. . .but never bland, always spicy.
8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?
That is the best part – we have found that Phantasmagoria appeals to ALL ages! From old to young and everything in between!
9. Will your show save mankind?
Only mankind’s memories of ancient fears. . . an emotional archive of horror tales held in their blood.
10. Oh boy! After your first show a genie pops out of a bottle and offers you a choice – world peace or your show enjoying a ten-year run on Broadway. What shall it be?
LOL. These questions are knocking me out of my chair. I would inform that Genie (is it blue?) that our tales would unite Humanity and BRING world peace so then we could enjoy that ten year run while bringing peace to the globe (and beyond).
11. Describe your show in three words.
We have regularly used all the below:
“Whimsically Macabre Horror”
Or
“Victorian Horror Circus”
Or
“Victorian Horror Troupe”
Or
“Victorian Performance Troupe”
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