Falling Westward

Press

"All parts of the play, including the set, reflect the care that College fourth-year Graciela Fernandez put into executing this production that has been in the works since her first year in college.
(...)
While the props add to the show’s themes, so does the set, which the crew collaborated on. The tire swing, for instance, originally represents a playground but soon manifests itself as a symbol of flight between the two characters. Furthermore, the swing allows for movement and choreography that isn’t typically exhibited in theater or dance shows.
(...)
With a liberal lens on this Christian creation myth and a queer idea of fallen angel lore, Fernandez has used her senior capstone project to bring this play to life. In turn, it has left people at a loss for words by sharing themes of uncertainty, communication, a fear of change, and cyclicality." -(The Oberlin Review)

Click image for a Teaser trailer

Click image for a Behind The Scenes trailer

"[Fernandez] gave me a lot of creative freedom which helped me compose a large output of music. [She] was always very respectful and direct in [her] communication and clarity of [her] input made it easier to fix whatever was wrong. [She] always knew what [she] wanted, but [she] let me play so I could better communicate the feeling of the scene through music. I appreciated that she strove for excellence like I do, and I felt that she supported my ambitions."

-DANIELA JIMÉNEZ OCHOA (MUSIC DIRECTOR & BAND)

"I came into Falling Westward with far more experience in acting than in dancing, but Graciela’s flexible, attentive, and inquisitive directorial style, enabled me to develop the skill and understanding necessary to play my part in creating a breathtaking piece. I’m ever impressed by her ability to simultaneously mold her work to play to her performer's innate strengths and work with her cast to stretch their abilities in new directions, which strengthen the foundation of the performance."

-MAC MCKINZIE (ACTOR)

Creative

Assistant Director
KAT CHRISTIE-MIZELL
Music Director
DANIELA JIMÉNEZ OCHOA
Intimacy Coordinator
ETHAN KATZ
Stage Manager
ANI ADELL
Assistant Stage Manager
LORETTA WILSON

Sound Designer
SAGE LIEM
Costume Designer &
Props Manager
RACHEL KESSLER-WEINSTEIN
Scenic Designer
ASHTON DOLL
Lighting Designer
AMANDA HERGN

Cast

Tamibiel (Tami)
KENDRA DWYER
BELLE PFLANZ
Kokabiel (Koka)
MAC MCKINZIE

BanD

Keyboard, Keytar, & Guitar
DANIELA JIMÉNEZ OCHOA
Live Electronics &
Sound Design
AUTUMN CULP
Percussion
BRINDHAVAN JAEGER
Cello
JACKIE TODD

Photos
THOMAS HILL
Trailers
HANNAH DOUGALL

Publicity