Local Choreographer Kate Prince Uses Sting's Music to Highlight Global Refugee Crisis

Kate Prince, Director and Choreographer of Message In A Bottle, recently discussed her creative process for the show. The show uses Sting's music to narrate a story about a broken family, global migration, and refugees. Prince found that Sting's music was suitable for storytelling, and she began to interpret his songs and explore various ideas. The narrative soon became associated with the global refugee crisis.

Prince's creative process included listening to Sting's music and studying the lyrics. She also researched the historical and political context of refugees. She used documentaries, newsreels, and photographs to understand the refugee experience better. A photograph of Alan Kurdi, a young boy who drowned while trying to cross the sea, deeply affected her.

Despite the tragic inspiration, Prince stated that the show is a celebration of love, family, and human resilience. She enjoyed working with Sting's music, even though she never worked directly with him. She met Sting four times and found him to be friendly and kind. She appreciated that Sting did not interfere with her interpretations of his music.

Prince's method for creating a new show has evolved since she became a mother. She now works more at a desk than in a studio. She writes the entire story of Message In A Bottle, which helps her and the company understand the world they are creating. She listens to the music, analyzes the lyrics, and visualizes it on stage.

Prince's choreography approach has changed over time. Earlier, she would freestyle to a song, create steps, and then stage them. However, she realized that this method made the steps seem more important than the story. Now, she focuses on creating a story that connects with audiences, using music to enhance the narrative.

This article is generated with AI assistance. AI enhances user experience by providing more comprehensive content, yet there remains a slight risk of encountering inaccuracies on rare occasions. Agree to access AI-generated content by clicking here, or opt for content with less AI influence here.