Not Afraid of the Dark - The Show that Glows!™

Not Afraid of the Dark-The Show that Glows!™ is the result of a two-and-a-half year collaboration between Ballet Austin Artistic Director, Stephen Mills and nationally known Children's Recording Artist, Joe Scruggs. Now in its fourth year of touring, families are captivated by the marvelous special effects combined with the beauty and grace of music and dance.

Hear what Joe Scruggs has to say about the production:
In my other show I have a routine called Stick Man, which uses Live Wires. Live Wires glow in the dark and they bend (sort of like flexible neon). Stick Man gets rave reviews from audience members of all ages and it is a stunning visual effect. I realized it is possible to have children enjoy turning out the lights and seeing the magic of glow in the dark effects as long as it is presented in a creative, fun and totally non-scary way. That was the beginning for Not Afraid of the Dark.

At about the same time Ballet Austin was looking for music for their children's program. I met with Ballet Austin's Associate Artistic Director, Michelle Martin and before you know it we were talking about a whole show, using my music, the Ballet Austin II company dancers and lots of fun, but not scary special effects. After two years of development we had the music, a script, and lots of ideas for a very special show.

The premise for Not Afraid of the Dark could best be described as a night in the life of a child. The show opens with someone off-stage saying, "The fireflies are back!" It is a summer evening with the fading light of dusk, a backyard with trees and tall grass, and children chasing the fireflies as they begin to appear and flash their lights. The chase, of course, is a dance. The fireflies are green micro lights and mirrored ball reflections. As the song progresses dusk turns to twilight and then even darker as the children go in to get ready for bed. First it is bath time with lots of bubble bath, followed by a gingerbread man chase before we get our pajamas on... then it is time for bed. The sandman appears along with his fairy and pixie friends to help sing us to sleep, but wait, did we remember to check under the bed? The "just what is under your bed check" is completed and finally it is off to sleep... and then there are dreams.

In our story this is where we turn out the lights and turn on the magic of glow-in-the-dark special effects. Remember it's not scary, just a wonderful place where you are Not Afraid of the Dark.