An ode to the night sky, Baby Space Opera draws from the very first moments of a newborn baby in the vastness of the cosmos. Like a star born in the heart of a nebula, this tiny life, barely beginning, turns the expansive world around it upside down. Underneath the celestial dome, twinkling stars dance together, beckoning the little ones to play. What stories do the constellations have to tell?
With Baby Space Opera, as if caught up by gravity, we dive into a captivating investigation of the senses. Intertwined in a suspended moment of poetry, ethereal projections, iridescent lights and gentle melodies beckon dreamers to an escape. Born from a creative process involving families at several stages, this show for babies welcomes us to a collective meditation on our place in the infinite universe.
The show is created by Julie Lebel in collaboration with dramaturge and creative mentor Jo Leslie, performers Sarah Gallos, Olivia Shaffer and Isabelle Kirouac, composer-flutist Sabrina Mo, singer Ghislaine Doté, assistant producer and stage manager Karen Thào La, with the contribution in production of Mandy Huang and designers Diane Park (costumes/sets/accessories) and Andie Lloyd (lighting and projections).
Performances:
- May 2-3 2026, Festival Petits Bonheurs, Montréal, (QC) Maison de la culture Mercier
- May 27-31 2026, Vancouver International Children’s Festival, (BC) Carousel Studio A
Residencies:
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- September 8-10, 2024, Studio 16, Vancouver. Initial tests.
- January 6-10, 2025, Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, Vancouver. Research workshop.
- January 11-12, 2025, Roundhouse Performing Centre. Technical research workshop, supported by New Works. Open showing at 4:30pm on January 12.
- June 9-20, 2025, Vancouver. Creation. Open showings to be announced this spring.
- Fall 2025 dance rehearsals and interactive activities, as part of Dancing the Parenting
- Dance rehearsals December 8-12 2025 at EDAM Dance.
- April 1-11 2026 final residency. Free public performances (April 9-11) at Clayton Community Centre in Surrey. This residency is supported by Surrey SPARK Stages.
Photos by Luciana D’Anunciacao
This process is made possible with the support of Théâtre la Seizième, via its Artistic Incubator for Creative Practice program, a Surrey SPARK Stages residency at Clayton Community Centre, Moberly arts and Cultural Centre residencies, Petits Bonheurs Festival Residency and New Works through technical residency.
