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Production History

In the summer of 1948, the mythologist Joseph Campbell and his wife, the choreographer Jean Erdman rented a cottage in the Maverick Arts Colony in Woodstock, NY. One morning while walking through the woods to her studio, Erdman heard a flutist practicing Debussy’s iconic solo, Syrinx and was inspired to create Hamadryad, the dance of a passionate wood nymph. The piece became an instant success in her solo programs throughout the US.

In 1986, Erdman taught the solo to me and I immediately fell in love with it. I danced it for many years throughout the US and abroad and eventually taught it to younger dancers. Many years later, my husband and I purchased a home in Woodstock. Walking through the forests on my way to my studio, I was inspired to create a film that would capture both my experience of dancing Hamadryad and the landscape in which it was born. This is that film.
Nancy Allison
Co-Producer / Director