Moquette Volante Storytelling and Dance Company is the brainchild of multidisciplinary theatre artist Kristin Ward.  The company began in 2008 with a simple showing of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves which integrated spoken word storytelling with Kristin’s performance background in Middle Eastern Dance styles.  Since then, she has produced, written and performed over two dozen tales, working alone as well as with other talented performers and musicians to create interactive family theatre that reconnects modern audiences to oral traditions.

From Pittsburgh Fringe 2015, courtesy of Marcel Walker

Beginning in 2016, Kristin expanded the company’s mission and repertoire to create two groundbreaking works. The first, “Many Voices, One Story” celebrates the journeys of women and encourages cross-cultural dialogue while presenting world versions of the classic Cinderella-type tale, told in alternation by actresses of corresponding backgrounds. The second, “Swan?” is a one-woman show that offers a new twist on the “Ugly Duckling” based on Kristin Ward’s own experiences finding belonging in a world where one’s “true flock” isn’t always the ones who look like them.

“Swan?” Promotional Photo, 2017. Courtesy of Karon Morgan.

Moquette Volante has performed in many venues across the Eastern United States, including Piccolo Spoleto Festival (Charleston, SC), the First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival (Rochester, NY), and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA). For more information on booking, or a full resume and list of available works, please contact Kristin Ward at kward@moquettevolante.org

“Many Voices, One Story” performers Christina McNeese, Anjali Soi, Sarah McKee and Kristin Ward answer audience questions after a performance in March 2018. Photo courtesy of Marcel Walker.