About 2 years ago, I had an idea to create a dance piece inspired by famous fine art. I wanted to explore the real stories and history behind the fine art that we know so well through dance. 

I was rehearsing for a show in Upstate New York at the time and noticed a print of Jack Vettriano’s “The Singing Butler” on the wall of the rehearsal room. I was familiar with the piece but had never truly looked at it.

Immediately, I knew I wanted to create a dance piece about “The Singing Butler” and its four intriguing characters, the Man, Woman, Butler, and Maid. I had so many questions. Who are these people? Why are they on a beach? What happened right before? Was it a special occasion? I desperately wanted to know their story and share it through dance. 

A few months later, I was ready to start working and reached out to my good friend and talented composer, Jake Weinstein. I knew I wanted original music for the piece and thought of Jake immediately. I shared my idea with him, and we quickly agreed to work on the project together. 

Within a week, Jake came back to me with a gorgeous musical phrase, and we quickly began working on the project. First, we researched the history of the painting and how it came to be. Surprisingly, there was no real story behind the characters of "The Singing Butler." In fact, the Maid and Butler were added at the end of the process to balance the painting's composition. 

With this new knowledge and freedom, Jake and I created our own story for the characters, and Jake composed an original score to complement their journey. 

This is where YOU and your WALLET come in!

Jake and I have already created, composed, rehearsed, and shot the short dance film on our own dime. We are hoping to not only cover our expenses with this money but also compensate our many collaborators who contributed their time and talents for FREE. 

The $3,000 will go towards: 

• Production Costs 
  • Unreel Films 
  • Costume Designer 
  • Goodspeed Costume Rental (Shipping/Dry Cleaning)
  • Props
  • Transportation (Car Rental/Gas/Tolls)
  • Meals/Snacks
• Rehearsal Costs 
  • NYC Studio Rentals
  • Rehearsal Props
  • Dancer Compensation
• Short Film Festival Application Fees 

Your contribution goes directly toward making art possible and supporting young artists. This project would not be possible without you and we are incredibly grateful for any support you can give.

This project is only the beginning of what we hope to be a much larger short film series. A series that would focus on storytelling through dance inspired by fine art. 

Maddy Apple (Co-Director/Choreographer, Producer, The Maid): is a director, choreographer, actor, and teaching artist based in Astoria, Queens. She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. 2016 Berkshire Theater Award Nomination for Oustanding Choreography - Intimate Theater for Sister Act (Mac-Haydn Theater). Regional/NY Choreography Credits: She Loves Me (Creede Repertory Theater); School of Rock (Northern Stage); Nice Work If You Can Get It, Sister Act, Young Frankenstein, and Kiss Me Kate (Mac-Haydn); Bernarda Alba (LIU Post); Swing! The Musical (Greater Ocean City Theater Co.); Broadway by the Year (NYC Town Hall). For more info, please visit maddyapple.com. Insta: @mappleography

Jake Weinstein (Co-Director/Choreographer, Composer, Producer, The Butler): is a composer, dancer, actor, and creator in NYC. Jake recently collaborated as music director with Sarah Naughton, writing original music for a cabaret production of Trapped in the Closet at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Jake’s composition of Ode to the Singing Butler won 1st place at the Golden Key Composition Competition. Jake will perform the piece as part of the Golden Key Festival this summer in Vienna, Austria. Performing credits include Off-Broadway: Peter in Peter in the Wolf (BAM), George Gershwin in Gershwin: Got Rhythm (Kaye Playhouse), National Tour: A Chorus Line, Regional: Chasing The Song (La Jolla Playhouse), A Chorus Line (PCLO). Jake studied classical music and composition at the New England Conservatory and received a B.A. from NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study in Collaborative Musical Theatre Performance, Composition, and Producing. jakeweinstein.com @jakeweinstein1

Max Clayton (The Man): Broadway: Bandstand, Something Rotten!, On The Town (u/s Gabey), Gigi (Martel, u/s Gaston). Regional: Anastasia (Hartford Stage), Bandstand (Paper Mill Playhouse), Signature Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, MUNY, Lyric Opera of Chicago, MTWichita, NSMT, and Palace Theatre. BFA, CCM. @maxmclayton

Christine Cornish Smith (The Woman): Broadway: Cats (Bombalurina), NYC: Crazy For You, National tour: Joseph…Dreamcoat. Regional: Oklahoma! (Laurey) at the MUNY, A Chorus Line (Sheila) at Riverside Theater. Goodspeed, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Lyric Opera of Chicago. BFA CCM. christinecornishsmith.com @christinecornish

Eric Mann (Director of Photography): is the President & Founder of Unreel Films, LLC and Co-Founder/Co-President of Craft Film Society, a non-profit film company. He has directed, produced, written, and filmed over 200 projects including the short films Striving, Alistair's Wednesday, Sizemic, Defunkt, Bristles, Finish Her, a collection of short works The Hafiz Project, the documentaries Climate Countdown, Storytellers, Just Go, web-series, dance & music videos, commercials, promos, weddings, and regularly films for The Juilliard School.  He is an Equity Actor and toured the country with A Chorus Line national tour and worked in NY and regionally as an actor, has a BFA from Elon University, trained at the Upright Citizens Brigade, Michael Chekhov Acting Studio, Broadway Theatre Project, Ballet Arkansas & Shuffles & Ballet II, and is currently being certified in Anusara Yoga.  He also has a podcast with his dear friend Daniel Self - "Self Made Mann."  unreel-films.com @ericman_unreel

Mikita Thompson (Costume Designer): is a costumer working in television and film. When she's not on set she designs costumes for theatre and film. Favorite design processes include Striving! Dance Project, Ode To The Singing Butler, Hairspray! The Musical, and Euripides, The Bacchae. She is an Arkansas native. In her free time she  enjoys hiking, camping and spending time with her family. @mikitaruth

Special Thanks to... 

Goodspeed Costume Rental (Mark Rampmeyer), Mac-Haydn Theater (Jimm Halliday), Backyard Project (Michael Raine), Jeremy Earhart, Brooke Shapiro, and Caitlin Wilayto.