Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. PNB celebrates the artists and creators whose communities and cultures have been in our region since time immemorial. One such artist is Tlingit tribal member Preston Singletary, best known for his intricate handblown glass works that meld this contemporary medium with traditional Tlingit formline design.
Singetary created the scenic design for PNB’s 2025 world premiere of The Sleeping Beauty, imbuing the production with elements of Tlingit and Northwest Coastal formline design. As Kariel Galbraith (Tlingit, Dakl’aweidi Clan) wrote for PNB in January 2025, “these elements are an invitation to reflect on the commonalities we find in our stories across the world.” We hope you enjoy this photo essay and celebration of Singletary’s vision for a unique-to-PNB production that honors the Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest.
Singletary worked with costume designer Paul Tazewell to inform the ballet’s Tlingit-inspired designs.
Singletary’s mobiles, formline bordered oculus, and Eagle staircase representing his moiety provide a stunning backdrop to the ballet’s action. These photos also show Singletary’s signature light boxes representing the fairies’ gifts to Aurora.
Singletary designed traditional Tlingit masks for the Wolf and Ogre characters; the Ogre mask is articulated with eyes that open and close and ears that wiggle.
This view of the Ogre offers close-up views of the eagle staircase, Hop ‘O My Thumb and friends’ regalia-inspired costumes adorned with buttons, and bentwood baskets inspired by Singletary’s art and Tlingit tradition.
Click here to read more about Indigenous design in The Sleeping Beauty.
