We were lucky to catch up with Morgiana Celeste Varricchio recently and have shared our conversation below.
Morgiana Celeste, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Mosaic Dance Theater Company began from an opportunity to present the dance and folklore of the Mediterranean region as part of a guest artist series. It became evident then, that the diverse cultural heritage of this area, especially North Africa and the Middle East, deserved a wider range of appreciation. And, that Middle Eastern dance, which I had studied and practiced for many years was a legitimate dance form and needed to be presented in theatrical mode. So, the Company was founded as a non-profit, and the journey began. Through the years, we have created an expansive repertory of dance, often incorporating spoken word.
Mosaic strengths lie outside popular culture. It is important that an organization’s leaders are on the same wavelength Fortunately, for Mosaic Samara Adell, Mosaic’s Artistic Director for Dance and Choreographer and I share the same artistic vision and work ethic. We have been able to create works that hold deep meaning for us. As Director, I have been able to actualize projects that have been important not only for me personally, but also fall into the realm of Mosaic’s mission. I’ll give you a quick run-down of the most meaningful for me (and, so I don’t show favoritism, I’ll list them in their chronological order). (NB: I have production credit as Director, Adapter/Writer for all of the works listed below. Samara Adell is Choreographer for all except “La Lettera d’Isabella.”)
“Land of the Pharaohs.” I was fascinated by Ancient Egypt since my first introduction to it in third grade history. So, with the guidance of Dr. Phyllis Saretta, Egyptologist and herself a renowned dancer, an arts-in-education assembly for a middle school audience was created, complete with a sarcarphogus, King Tut’s tomb, and some animal head masks. Schoo kids loved it!
“Tales from the Arabian Nights.” Pre-Mosaic, I toured a one-person show of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.” With a company of dancers in mind, I took four favorite tales from the Arabian nights body of work, full of mystery, imagery and movement and adapted them into 25-minute stand-alone pieces, woven together by the title. The tales were presented in Mosaic’s special dance/story theater style.
“La Lettera d’Isabella.” i was introduced to commedia dell’arte as a young actor, and fell in love with it immediately. This piece, an original scenario which I developed, was told entirely through movement and mask.
“Troy: Women & War.” Coming out of the pandemic shutdown, I needed something to bring me out of the doldrums. I turned to my love of the classical world, especially the story of the Trojan War and its surrounding literature. Euripiden’ tragedy “The Trojan Women” became the central point for me, to look at the whole saga from the eyes of the women — the jealous goddesses, the faithless Helen, and the tragic and heroic women of Troy.
Morgiana Celeste, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
About me: I am a classically trained actor, a storyteller and a dancer, and an accomplished director, writer, and producer. My works have been commissioned and performed internationally, in New York, and at regional and stock theaters throughout the U.S., including such venues as Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Museum, Paper Mill Playhouse, the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, the Nashville Institute for the Arts, the New York International Fringe Festival, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In addition to my numerous performance credits, I worked as production assistant for several Broadway productions, was artistic consultant for the late film star Anthony Quinn, and am privileged to list on my resume the remarkable experience of working at the Dallas Theater Center (TX) during its leadership by the legendary Paul Baker. I hold an MFA from Trinity University and a BA from Lehigh University.
About Mosaic Dance Theater Company:
Mosaic Dance Theater Company (MDTC) is dedicated to the dance and folkloric traditions of the Mediterranean — North Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe — creating dance, theater, and educational programs which celebrate the rich diversity of cultures of this region. The dances and music, the stories and myths, and the history and legends of this fascinating area form the wellspring of inspiration for MDTC’s creative vision.
Founded in 2003, MDTC tours nationally to performing arts venues, universities, schools, and community organizations. MDTC is known for its artistry and authenticity, not only in creating the original works that comprise its repertory, but also in faithfully researching their origins to ensure cultural integrity. MDTC is the recipient of the Sunshine Award for its contribution to the performing arts, recognized by NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and the United Nations.
In a world engulfed by popular culture, MDTC embraces the historical treasures of the past, the ways of tradition, and the sensibilities of the present in its goal to celebrate the remarkable varieties and similarities of the Mediterranean cultures.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
So often, funding is the biggest issue facing small non-profit arts organizations. It is the individuals who donate to the arts that become the backbone of support. Grants are competitive and often restrictive. I think there’s a mistaken concept that non-profits are rolling in grant money — so far from the truth! During the pandemic shutdown, society saw how quickly artists responded and began to create. But when restrictions lifted, and in-person performances returned, where were the audiences? To keep in-person performances alive, GO! Buy a ticket. Donate!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The pandemic shutdown brought us all a tremendous resource — Zoom and similar platforms. Mosaic received a small grant to partially fund our 2021 virtual project: Mosaic: A World in Motion. Our creative team of four became writers, presenters, researchers as we created monthly mini-documentaries of the many different dance styles around the Mediterranean, complete with segments on geography, history, and of course, the dance. The highlight of each presentation was an example of the dance or folklore from Mosaic’s video archives. Our online presence drew audience from around the world. Location within the NJ/NY area was no longer an issue. These pre-recorded programs were offered at no charge, and were live-streamed. Many of our new viewers became staunch donors. We were all sorry when the series ended, but unfortunately, it was just too difficult to continue once we got back to in-person studio rehearsals. But, we can still do the occasional episode to compliment a new production, as we did with our production of “Troy: Women & War.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mosaicdancetheaterco.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosaic_dance_theater_company/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mosaic-Dance-Theater-Company-130691890571/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MosaicDanceTheaterCo
Image Credits
Photos by Gary Heller.