Celeste Green | Director, Dancer, Choreographer

A theater force here in Portland, Maine is a new production company, Cast Aside Productions. And one of the driving forces behind this unique company is Celeste! Green. She is the Executive Director and partners with David Surkin, whom you may recognize from one of my first Artist Profiles. These two are making waves and producing incredible shows in the city and I had the wonderful chance to work with Celeste! on a few portraits and talk with her about her art.

Movie musicals were her first introduction to theater and it wasn’t until she saw a full stage production of Cats that she really fell in love. Starting in dance classes and theater productions through school she is now doing amazing things here in Portland. From producing, starring and directing musicals with her company, Cast Aside, she is also writing and creating new works for the stage. I had the chance to work with her during the debut of her first original production.

Just a Thought–an original, multimedia Rock Ballet–provokes and charms as dancers perform a breathless 35-minute narrative piece exploring a friendship developed with depression, and its impact in forming identity and relationships.  Based on Gnarls Barkley’s chart-topping St. Elsewhere album, the movement matches the psychedelic pop/rap/soul/rock soundtrack by mixing explosive and athletic jazz, ballet, hip-hop and tap choreography. (From Cast Aside Productions Event page)

A deeply moving piece, and having the opportunity to see how some of it was spliced together during rehearsals was a huge expression of Celeste!’s passion and dedication to her art form. The intensity she brings to rehearsals and on stage is incredible. A true artist of her craft.

Like so many of the other artists I have interviewed it is that discipline and drive that really sets them apart and why I love working with people like that. It’s infectious, contagious, and pushes me to do better work to really showcase these stories. With incorporating new elements and techniques into future works, I am constantly learning and inspired by these amazing people.