Pacific Northwest Ballet Logo

Dawn Patrol

Music

Alfonso Peduto

Choreography

Price Suddarth

Choreographic Assistant

Emma Love Suddarth

Costume Design

Mark Zappone

Lighting Design

Reed Nakayama

Scenic Design

Chrisoula Kapelonis

Premiere

March 14, 2025
Pacific Northwest Ballet

The world premiere of Price Suddarth’s Dawn Patrol is supported by Peter & Peggy Horvitz, Deidra Wager, T.R. Ko, Connie & Tom Walsh, and Maria Mackey & Joe Breskin.

calligraphic border by ProSymbols from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

Dawn Patrol examines the theme of heroism through multiple lenses—first in the harrowing experiences of the dawn patrol pilots during World War II, and then in the tangible parallels of the personal sacrifices made in everyday life. The dancers embody the contrast of courage and inner turmoil within these young aviators. As a symbol of hope and resilience, they soar above the clouds at sunrise. Yet, beneath them lies the ominous shadow of enemy territory—the relentless reminder of the danger they face. This juxtaposition mirrors the quiet heroism that can be found in the mundane: the parent who sets aside their own personal aspirations for those of their child’s future, the caregiver who offers up their own time and energy for the well-being of another, the individual who forgoes personal desires for the advancement of a greater cause. The choreography captures the tension between the ethereal beauty of these moments of selflessness and the heavy burdens they carry, reflecting the universal truth that true heroism is defined through its immense sacrifice.

Notes by Emma Love Suddarth.

Artist Biographies

Mark Zappone

Mark Zappone served Pacific Northwest Ballet from 1983 to 1988 as costume designer, shop supervisor, and wardrobe master. He then moved to Monte Carlo, where he managed costume shops for Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and Le Cabaret de Monte-Carlo, continuing on to Switzerland and Amsterdam with Holiday on Ice. Mr. Zappone has collaborated with many renowned choreographers and designers, including Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon, and Yuri Possokhov, among others. In addition to his many ballets for PNB, Mr. Zappone has designed costumes for numerous dance companies worldwide.

Reed Nakayama

Reed Nakayama is a Seattle-based Lighting and Projection Designer. He joined PNB in 2013 as a stagehand, and in 2019, was promoted to caretaker of the company’s copious designs. Here, he has illuminated stages in collaboration with artists such as Alexei Ratmansky (Wartime Elegy), Jessica Lang (Ghost Variations), Danielle Rowe (The Window), and Christopher Wheeldon (Curious Kingdom). He received a BFA in Performance Production from Cornish College of the Arts.