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Heaven or California

The Story of the Donner Party

Presented by Air Temple Arts


“From start to finish, the performance combines dance and sport to bring home the emotional valence of the story of the Donner Party, in all its joy and grief.”

Ivy Fan, Arts Council of Greater New Haven
Illustration depicting Frankling Graves' death in the snow, titled "Dying in a snow storm."; Source: Graham's Illustrated, 1857

HEAVEN OR CALIFORNIA is a contemporary circus show based on the tragic true events of the Donner Party.

Seen through the eyes of newlyweds Sarah Graves and Jay Fosdick, HEAVEN OR CALIFORNIA takes you on their infamous journey, from the American Midwest, to the Great Salt Desert, to end in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The hopes, dreams, and fears of the Donner Party are brought to life through aerial arts, acrobatics, juggling, prop manipulation, movement, and dance.

CAST
Sarah Graves: Dani Bobbi Lee
Jay Fosdick: Holly Gilligan

Ensemble
Crystal Cassetori
Kate Gonzales
Casey Kogut
Julian Salevan
Nicholas Strange

Original score by Brian Samuel Robinson
Directed by Liz Richards

WATCH THE RECORDED SHOW

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