Preston Powell Photography

In this series, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the inspirations of the characters of PAN…

What do you think of when you hear the word “mermaids”?

While creating movement for PAN’s mermaids, choreographer Amy Gunter Lolofie used vocabulary associated with the characters as her starting point.

“Words like ethereal, mysterious, and enchanting have a “feeling” about them,” she says. “When choreographing, I tried to tune into that feeling or vibe, and let my instinctual movement response bring the characters to life.”

When it came to creating the mermaids’ costumes, designer Candice Nielsen imagined the characters’ backstory.

“The inspiration came from shipwrecks and the sea,” she says. “It’s as if the mermaids were lost at sea and used a ship’s sails to wrap around themselves.”

“The iridescent fabric gives them an ethereal quality. To top off the look, the mermaids are adorned with crowns of seashells and beads as though they were ocean royalty.”

See the mermaids come to life in PAN on the shores of Marina Cove Beach on July 18-21 and 25-28… Purchase tickets to this magical experience.