Black Hills Community Theatre is breaking new ground in several directions with the upcoming production of the original piece "Flutter."

Integrating dance, dialogue and animated sculpture, "Flutter" will showcase the creative talents of local artists as well as members of the Suzie Cappa Players of Black Hills Workshop.

"Flutter" is a juxtaposition of two worlds: the ancient culture of the tropics that believes butterflies are the souls of our ancestors and the butterfly-collecting, greedy world of 1700s Europe. The piece ultimately leads audience members to the floor of the rainforest, where they will find themselves in the company of larger-than-life rainforest creatures.

Heather Pickering, BHCT's education and outreach director, was inspired to create "Flutter" after her initial visit to the Suzie Cappa Center for Art Expression and Enjoyment, where she saw a piece of art with a kaleidoscope of three-dimensional butterflies below the word "Diversity."

In an effort toward diversity, Pickering chose to integrate the Suzie Cappa Players with members of the community.

Pickering said the experience has been very unique and heartwarming.

"It has been a unique experience to have 37 people follow me into unknown territory and have such faith in me," she said. "It's just a tremendous blessing to have all of these performers with me to experience some thing new and contribute themselves to an original project."

Seeing the "light in the eyes of some the performers" as they are given a chance to express themselves also has made "Flutter" one of the "most heartwarming experiences" Pickering has ever been able to work on.

Pickering also said that collaboration was an important element of her experience bringing "flutter" to flight.

"If it weren't for Andrea Muehl and Jolene Howell this wouldn't be what it is," Pickering said. "If I didn't have such amazing artists surrounding me it by no means could have been brought to the fruition that it has come to."

Muehl is the owner and operator of Barefoot Dance Studio in Rapid City and she choreographed the piece.

In another interesting twist of innovation, Pickering will bring the butterflies in the tale to a grand scale by integrating "animated sculptures" designed by puppeteer Chris Lutter. Howell, a local artist who recently relocated to the area, has contributed her talents to the creation of some of the "animated sculptures."

The entire piece will be illuminated by the lighting design of Justin Speck.

The piece was also workshopped during rehearsals and the entire process has been filmed for a documentary.

Although the entire piece was outlined and planned before rehearsals, during the rehearsal process things would be added or taken out. Pickering said that although she does think "Flutter" will be what she had intended, it is not uncommon for a project to start in one direction and end up turning another.

"It has been built around the capabilities of many of our performers," Pickering said. "For some of these performers what they are doing out on stage it's a huge feat."

Because of the performers involved Pickering said that she isn't exactly sure what will happen from one night to the next during performances.

"It might go exactly as planned or someone be inspired to contribute something extra," Pickering said. "Either way these individuals will be on stage getting a chance to express themselves. Whatever happens on that stage will be beautiful whether it's perfect or not."

Documenting the process was a condition of a grant "Flutter" received from the National Endowment for the Arts. Dylan Fleming of Asio studios is currently heading up the project.

For more information, contact Pickering at 394-2250 or education@bhct.org.

If you go

Who: The Black Hills Community Theatre education and outreach department and the Suzie Cappa Players of the Black Hills Workshop

What: "Flutter"

Where: Central High School auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, and Friday, July 11; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12.

Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for students, available at the Dahl Arts Center and Black Hills Workshop. All seats are general admission.