Interview: The Choreography of The Hitchcock Hotel
Fae Pink’s list of accomplishments is polished and detailed with glitter. From her years as a Seattle Seahawk Seagal, to her collection of award winning performances such as The Seattle Opera "Un Balo En Machera" and Intiman Theater's original cast of Tony award winning musical “Light in the Piazza,” Pink is the woman who truly does it all.
From the age of three, Pink knew she was meant for a stage. Watching her parents professionally dance showed her that all forms of art can be a career if that’s where your passions lie. Whether she was performing in front of intimate theaters or Seattle’s 12th man, Pink has always made her presence known. And since hanging up her own dancing shoes, Pink has been shining her light at the Can Can as the choreographer of hundreds of shows, dazzling us all with her abilities to produce sheer magic.
We caught up with Fae to discuss Can Can’s latest success, The Hitchcock Hotel and how her brilliance has audiences begging for a late check out.
Fae Pink poses during an event prior to the grand reopening | Photo by Vicente Trinidad Capala III
THECANCAN.COM: Before we check in to the Hitchcock Hotel, let’s talk about your origin story. When did you decide to pursue dance and choreography as a career?
Fae Pink: My parents were both dancers and choreographers, so this kind of work was literally in my blood. My mom was a professional belly dancer and would take me with her to most of her gigs. Watching her get into costume and perform was my biggest inspiration. Not a lot of little girls got to experience what I did. I couldn’t get enough of it. The costumes, the performers, watching it all come together on stage... I loved it. I began dancing at three and never considered another profession.
I went on to receive my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Cornish College, and then I just kept going. I’m really lucky, I did a little of everything. Then, after having kids, I stopped dancing professionally and focused on choreography. And now, I get to be a part of the magic here at Can Can.
THECANCAN.COM: What gravitated you to the thrilling and fabulous world of burlesque and cabaret?
Fae Pink: The sparkle and the ability to be collaborative and creative. I worked for a lot of other companies and choreographers. I was in the commercial acting world and was ready to do something that was all my own. Cabaret drew me in because it has no limits. It can be funny, beautiful, emotional, sexy and extremely artful. An audience can come in and flippantly expect to see hot bodies in sparkly costumes, but what they don't know is that we are always teaching a little something about the profound beauty of life and art. I stumbled into Can Can to audition with my own dance company the same month it opened in 2005. I honestly fell in love with Can Can and the magical little home it created for so many performers. Over the last 17 years, my position with Can Can has grown, changed, and evolved, but working with our core creative team, Chris, Jonny, and Shadou, is a true joy for me. I feel so lucky to be here every single day.
Photo by Nate Watters
THECANCAN.COM: Early on, when you were finding who you were as a choreographer, how were you experimenting to figure out what you could do that was different from what other people were doing?
Fae Pink: In rehearsal, I always hope my dancers feel inspired to be collaborative and move in a way that makes them feel authentic, strong, and like their most empowered selves. That’s our focus – when our dancers can be their best selves, that’s when that magic happens. [That’s when] I feel like my work is done, and we have set ourselves apart from other things happening in the performing world.
THECANCAN.COM: When you transitioned into your role as a choreographer for Can Can, how would you describe the choreography process for shows compared to now?
Fae Pink: After we had kids, the transition made the most sense for our family. Mr. Pink and I have been married for 10 years now, so we are pretty good at working together. Our creative team – Mr. Pink, myself, Jonny and Shadou –have a pretty good checks-and-balances system. We are all each others’ hardest critics in the creation process, but we have also developed a safe space where no idea is too stupid to share.
We laugh a lot! We’ve all spent so much time together that it feels very natural to be collaborating together. As far as choreography goes, I try to always come into a rehearsal ready to teach an entire number from top to bottom with a little wiggle room to let the performers bring their own personality to the table. Some of our best performances on stage were changed last-minute in rehearsals. That space to grow and improvise is really important. You have to give your dancers the opportunity to voice their suggestions; they’re the ones feeling the movements, so their input really matters.
With every new show we do, our process becomes more streamlined. We are constantly learning and bettering ourselves.
Shadou Mintrone as Shadow and Jonathan Betchtel as Jon Kingsley in The Hitchcock Hotel | Photo by Nate Watters
THECANCAN.COM: Okay, I think our room is waiting for us, Let’s get to Hitchcock Hotel. When you’re planning out the dances, What were you hoping to bring into this production that the audience hasn’t seen before?
Fae Pink: Our last show, Lola, was so bright and comical, and I think we were all ready for something a little darker as we headed into the fall season. We were hoping to bring something weird and whimsical to our audiences. Honestly, it’s my favorite show we have ever done. The show is a full blown musical which I think surprises returning audiences and new audiences alike.
THECANCAN.COM: I’d love to talk about Shadou’s solo performance. Critics have described this number as ‘zombie-esque’ and hauntingly beautiful. What was the intention for this performance?
Fae Pink: This was the last number we created for this show. It started as just a short little interlude at the top of the second act, and we just wanted to see more. Shadou is a stunning dancer and has this wild flexibility. You never know what a number can become until it’s in rehearsal. It turned into one of my favorite numbers in the show.
Shadou Mintrone as Shadow from The Hitchcock Hotel | Photo by Nate Watters
THECANCAN.COM: The connection the cast has among each other radiates throughout the show. How does this bond and your familiarity with the cast play as a strength when you’re planning out their performances?
Fae Pink: We have been working with these performers for many years now, with the exception of Sasha. This is her first show with us, but she fits right into the cast so seamlessly.
The cast spends 5 days a week in The Dressing Room and on stage together, and they really are like a little family. The more you work with the cast, the easier it is to envision that specific dancer in a routine. You learn who they are and their strengths as performers. We really love them. Seeing them living their best lives on stage each night is literally one of my greatest joys. It’s just incredible.
Creating acts that bring out our performers' most vibrant light is our job. Seeing Tori sing “You Don’t Own Me” in this show is a perfect example of just that.
THECANCAN.COM: Guests who have checked out of the Hitchcock Hotel rave that this is yet another seamless execution of what Can Can does best: laughter, showmanship, glamour, and, of course, a heaping serving of sex appeal. How are you playing with the boundaries of these different elements in the show's choreography?
Fae Pink: In terms of choreography, I like to mix technical and classical dance with a dash of bumping and grinding. It’s art with a little EXTRA! It’s fun to play around with the boundaries. There’s so many ways we lean into the drama, sex appeal, and even comedy. That mixed with Shadou’s costume creations, Chris and Jonny’s writing, Pink and Pezzner’s music, and all of the talent and sex appeal in the cast – you can’t go wrong!
Tori Gresham as Madame Maybell, Shadou Mintrone as Shadow, and Sasha Voyt as Silhouette in The Hitchcock Hotel | Photo by Nate Watters
THECANCAN.COM: To wrap this up with a big glittery bow, what do you hope the audience takes away from their time at The Hitchcock Hotel, especially for our guests who have yet to experience the mischief and merriment of Can Can?
Fae Pink: Simply put, our hope is to always put a little joy into the world. Come into our sweet glittery home and leave feeling like the world is a happier and lighter place.
Our ghoulish crew is patiently waiting for your arrival at The Hitchcock Hotel.
Book your stay now through November 27th. We hope you come – again and again and again.