Ghost Catfish and The Coriolis Force

Overview

Adapted from the 2023 stage production Glass Catfish and the Coriolis Force, Aquatic Melody is a tightly staged, dance-forward musical designed for a small cast and performers with strong physical storytelling ability.

At its core is a relationship between a human and a mermaid, unfolding in a non-linear structure where each character experiences the relationship on a different emotional timeline. This contrast is expressed through choreography, staging, and music rather than traditional linear dialogue.

Movement carries the narrative:

Duets show alignment vs imbalance
Repeated phrases track emotional patterns
Physical distance reflects control and dependency

Storytelling Framework

Tarot provides the structural backbone of the production, with each major section anchored by a tarot archetype that signals a shift in the relationship’s emotional trajectory:

The Lovers — attraction and projection
The Devil — control, dependency, transaction
The Tower — rupture and loss of illusion
The Star — release, clarity, or separation

Rather than serving as decoration, tarot functions as an organizing storytelling system that guides the emotional progression of the piece. The result is a music- and movement-driven production with a strong visual identity, designed for scalability, touring potential, and repeat viewing.