Pedestal is a musical epic exploring American celebrity culture through the cyclical ritual sacrifice of an influential pop star. In this unique ritual, performed by 8 voices and 8 instrumentalists, audience members follow the rise, fall, and replacement of an influential pop star.
I'll be what you make me.
Equally as powerful in an intimate black box as a cavernous cathedral, Pedestal is sweeping in scope and flexible in scale.
Its archetypical characters can and should be portrayed by performers of all backgrounds and identities to reflect the rich tapestry that is the Cult of Celebrity in America.
Take care to read between the lines.
In a world where Taylor Swift is either thrilling adoring audiences or ruining football, depending on who you ask, Pedestal begs audiences to "take note of who wrote the story", centering the importance of context and perspective.
When media literacy is at an all time low and among looming threats to further limit access to information, this story has never been more relevant.
We the people do proclaim:
Audiences members have lauded this piece as "original and needed now" and said that the work "gave me [them] chills".
I. Star is selected by the people.
II. The Star is blessed in flashes of light, as if sprinkled with water
III. The Star ascends the Pedestal.
IV. The Star takes on an initial persona. Her influence grows.
V. The Star’s persona is transformed in the people’s eyes.
VI. The Star’s transformation angers the people.
VII. The Star is removed from the Pedestal.
VIII. The Star is sacrificed to oblivion, only few remember
DREAMER - Aspiring and inspiring.
BYSTANDER - Lacking courage, but full of insight.
PROTECTOR - Proud, but often confused.
MESSENGER - Makes valid points, despite the delivery.
INSTIGATOR - The one we always believe…for some reason.
CYNIC - The unflinching contrarian who asks all the right questions.
TALKING HEAD - Doesn’t say a much for using a lot of words.