Magical And Mischievous
Q&A With Wonderbound’s Garrett Ammon and Dawn Fay
By Cara DeGette
Editor, GPHN

A year ago the professional dance company Wonderbound — formerly known as Ballet Nouveau — moved to an industrial building in northeast Park Hill. Wonderbound’s new space, at 38th and Dahlia, is the the former studio of renowned African American sculptor Ed Dwight.
The dance company’s Artistic Director Garrett Ammon and President Dawn Fay say the space is a perfect place to land. This fall they kicked off the 2021—22 season with the production Penny’s Dreadful — which was billed as a “haunting tale of jealousy, murder and sacrifice.”
Upcoming productions include December’s Winterland: A Discotheque Cabaret; the February Valentine-inspired Romance, Revenge, Redemption; and the season finale Oh Me, Oh My! running from April 20-May 8.

Wonderbound’s Artistic Director Garrett Ammon and President Dawn Fay, sat down with the Greater Park Hill News to talk about their their move to the neighborhood, how they’re adjusting, and what surprises might be ahead.
Greater Park Hill News: What inspired your move to Park Hill?
Garrett Ammon and Dawn Fay: In November 2020, Wonderbound was the victim of major vandalism at its previous location [at York and 40th Street, west of Park Hill], which forced the organization’s immediate need to relocate. Upon searching swiftly, 3824 Dahlia St. was where Wonderbound landed — an incredibly fortunate happening out of what was a devastating occurrence.
GPHN: Tell us a bit about the history of the new space, which is the former studio of Sculptor Ed Dwight. Did you purchase it directly from Mr. Dwight? Your literature also mentions it used to be an airplane hangar, where the Spirit of St. Louis landed. What changes did you have to make to the art studio to adapt it to a company for dance productions? Did you keep the original design to preserve the feel of its history and the space?
GA & DF: Wonderbound did not purchase the building from Ed Dwight, as Mr. Dwight had sold the warehouse space in 2017. From the moment Wonderbound moved in in November 2020, Mr. Dwight’s legacy was felt – as if the walls themselves were inhabited by art. It was magical! Wonderbound was able to inhabit the warehouse “as is” and has only had to install elements to hang theatrical equipment such as lighting and soft goods.
GPHN: What is the story behind the name, Wonderbound? When did you change it from Ballet Nouveau, and why?

GA & DF: In 2012, with the assistance of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, the decision was made to move the professional company of Ballet Nouveau Colorado to downtown Denver and rebrand to Wonderbound. The name Wonderbound was created by Garrett to express the idea that the art Wonderbound produces is larger than just the medium of dance. Garrett creates productions that stretch across a plethora of mediums including collaborating with sculptors, poets, photographers, actors, painters and even an illusionist. Wonderbound also began using live music for all of its productions in 2013, and that has included working with a wide variety of musicians and musical groups such as the Colorado Symphony, Flabbiest, Gasoline Lollipops, Ian Cooke Band and Chimney Choir to name a few. Although this work has been placed on hold due to safety and financial concerns resulting from COVID-19, Wonderbound greatly looks forward to resuming its collaborations once the pandemic is under control.
GPHN: One area of your website (at wonderbound.org) includes Dance Alongs, and also dance videos. What should people who check out the tutorials do with them? Are they designed to dance along as a kind of a workout routine, or practice them at home for when they are able to go out dancing?
GA & DF: Wonderbound’s dance films and dance tutorials are for everyone to enjoy at any time and for any purpose. In total, there are 167 videos on the website that are completely free to view. All of these offerings were produced during COVID-19 with the intention to keep providing for the community when the organization could not have in-person programming. Depending on how the pandemic evolves, Wonderbound may produce a new series of tutorials and/or dance films next Spring.
GPHN: How have you and the artists adjusted to the reality of returning to live performances?
GA & DF: During COVID-19, Wonderbound was one of only five dance companies in the country safely producing live shows for live audiences, and for the 2020-21 season, the organization presented 78 performances for reduced-size audiences. For the 2021-22 season, Wonderbound is presenting all four productions in its home for 90 performances. Due to concerns around the Delta variant, Wonderbound is keeping audiences at reduced capacity. Throughout COVID-19, Wonderbound has kept its dancers and staff on payroll. The organization has not conducted layoffs, furloughs or salary cuts and is very proud to have continued operations during the pandemic.
GPHN: Your logo is a jumping rabbit that is prominently featured in many of your materials. What is the story behind that?
GA & DF: The hare or jackrabbit was chosen by Garrett for a multitude of reasons. It is indigenous to Colorado and it is a powerful animal – much like the Wonderbound dancers. The hare also has a long history of being a focal point in myth, religion and lore and is a magical (and sometimes mischievous) creature — traits that also bear resemblance to the Wonderbound dancers.
GPHN: In his artist statement, Garrett indicates the following: “If I had to distill my creative approach to a single phrase, it would be ‘a shared journey of discovery and possibility.’” With that in mind, what paths do you expect to forge in your new space in Park Hill that will take the company beyond the foundation you’ve already established?
GA & DF: There are most exciting plans coming for Wonderbound in its new home in the next couple years. Stay tuned!