Dance Theatre of Harlem “Firebird”
Direction | Animation | Editing | illustration
Dance Theatre of Harlem invited me to reimagine their signature classic Firebird as an animated piece that helps audiences connect with the story beyond the stage. A classic ballet reimagined through a Caribbean lens, the narrative is set in Haiti, drawing from Caribbean folklore and landscape alongside Afro-futuristic influences. It follows a Prince whose encounter with the Firebird—an ethereal, transformative force—leads him to a Princess bound by a powerful Sorcerer’s curse. When all seems lost, the Firebird’s return shifts their fate.
The project was developed as a short animated film alongside a graphic-novel-style print companion to the ballet and a coloring page. Together, these pieces help audiences, especially those unfamiliar with the work, understand the narrative of the ballet. Using expressive shapes, bold colors and movement inspired by dance, the visuals translate the stage story into an accessible animated world.
The Storyboard
The animation began with storyboarding the key moments of the narrative. These boards established the visual pacing of the story, translating the emotional beats of the ballet into a sequence of cinematic scenes. Each frame explored how movement, scale, and composition could echo the story while guiding the viewer through the Prince’s journey and his encounters with the Firebird, the Princess, and the Sorcerer.
Because the original ballet runs about 30 minutes, the animation required distilling Igor Stravinsky’s score into a piece under two minutes. We carefully selected key musical moments that captured the emotional turning points of the story, editing the composition to preserve its integrity while creating seamless transitions that supported the narrative rhythm of the film.
Character Design
The character design focused on capturing the essence of each role while translating the language of ballet into a stylized animated form. Through expressive silhouettes, flowing shapes, and gesture-driven poses, the characters evoke movement even in stillness. The Prince, Firebird, Princess, and Sorcerer each embody distinct visual qualities that reflect their role within the story.
Because the story is set in the Caribbean, Black and Brown characters are central to the visual world. The Prince, Princess, and Firebird were intentionally designed to read as Black and/or Brown, reflecting Dance Theatre of Harlem’s longstanding mission to expand representation in ballet and create space for Black dancers within an art form where they have historically been underrepresented.
The designs also draw influence from the costumes used in the ballet production. Elements of shape, color, and ornamentation inform the characters’ forms, maintaining a visual connection between the stage performance and the animated world.
Environment
The environments were designed to ground the story within a Caribbean landscape while remaining minimal enough for the characters and movement to lead. Backgrounds use simplified shapes, layered color, and controlled detail to suggest tropical foliage, mountains, and open space without competing with the action.
The visual approach draws inspiration from the bold simplicity of Mary Blair and the graphic composition of Genndy Tartakovsky. Through flattened perspective, rhythmic forms, and expressive color, the environments feel both rooted in place and intentionally stylized, creating a world that supports the narrative while allowing the choreography of the characters to remain the focus.
Booklet Graphic Novel Spread
As part of the campaign, we also developed a print companion to the animation. Designed as a comic-style spread, it captures key moments from the story, translating the film into a static, narrative format. The piece was included in the performance booklet, giving audiences an additional way to follow and engage with the story.
Coloring Page
We also created a Firebird coloring page as part of the campaign, offering a playful and accessible way for younger audiences to engage with the story and its characters.
Directed by Marlene Marmolejos (Motion Mami)
Concept, Story & Art Direction: Marlene Marmolejos
Character Design & Illustrators: Harry Villamil, Trevor Fraley, Nadya Izotova
Background Illustration: Dana Cifuentes
Concept Art: Abelle Hayford
Additional Cel Animation: Ranabir Majumder
Music: Based on The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky
Music Edit & Arrangement: Marlene Marmolejos, Frandiego Veloz
