Overview

Hometown Playground was the Big Apple Circus’s 2024–25 production at Lincoln Center. Inspired by New York City, the one-ring spectacle celebrated the distinctive neighborhoods, landmarks, people, and energy of the five boroughs through circus performance, comedy, dance, music, and theatrical design.

Created and directed by Shanda Sawyer, the production featured international circus artists alongside an original visual world incorporating recognizable elements of New York life—from pizza-rat clowns and skyscrapers to street culture and the city skyline.

Contribution

Matthew Solomon served as Associate Costume Designer, working with Costume Designer Cynthia Nordstrom to develop and realize the production’s expansive costume world. The designs supported a wide variety of circus acts, theatrical characters, dancers, and performers while balancing visual storytelling with the movement, durability, safety, and practical requirements of live circus performance.

Selected Credits

Creator, Director and Writer: Shanda Sawyer

Talent Director: Scott O’Donnell

Associate Director and Choreographer: Theresa Stone

Production Designer: David Gallo

Costume Designer: Cynthia Nordstrom

Associate Costume Designer: Matthew Solomon

Assistant Costume Designer: Emily Marshburn

Lighting Designer: David Rees

Projection Designer: Shawn Duan

Sound Designer: Ben Selke

Props Designers: Faye Armon-Troncoso, Lauren Helpern

Composers: David Bandman, Peter Bufano, Ron Aniello

Associate Set Designer: Viveca Gardiner

Associate Projection Designer: Max Bowman

Venue: Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center, New York City

Run: November 8, 2024–January 5, 2025