'The Ugly Duckling'

Lined with electroluminescent wire, the beloved story of “The Ugly Duckling” plays out on stage through a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance. With dazzling visuals, poignant choreography and the creative use of music, ranging from classical to pop, this production brings the well-known story into a brilliant new light.

Lightwire Theater

Ian and Eleanor Carney were born and raised in New Orleans and met at the age of 13 through ballet class. Their successful dancing careers took them to New York, and it was on Broadway where Ian met co-creator Corbin Popp while dancing in Twyla Tharp’s “Movin’ Out.” The kindred spirits made an immediate connection as they discovered their mutual love of art, theater, and technology. After coming across a product called “EL Wire,” the lights turned on and the possibilities seemed endless. Together, with their wives, Eleanor and Whitney, Carney and Popp began to experiment with shapes and designs to develop puppetry-based neon creatures that quickly came to life. After years of engineering and development, they initially founded CORBIAN Visual Arts and Dance. Although New York offered many opportunities, the Carneys wanted to return to New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit their hometown. With the hopes of helping to rebuild their city, they were joined by the Popps and eventually founded Lightwire Theater.

Since then, they have become internationally recognized for their signature brand of electroluminescent artistry, poignant storytelling and music scores designed to evoke imagery. Based out of New Orleans, Lightwire Theater continues to create and deliver innovative theatrical experiences to audiences across the globe.

Lightwire Theater achieved national recognition in 2012 after their appearance on “America’s Got Talent” (season 7), where they finished as a semifinalist. Their global reach was further extended through their participation in Italy’s hit show, “Tú Sí Que Vales,” and in Paris on MY TF1’s “The Best Le Meilleur Artiste,” where they reached the finals. In 2014, Lightwire Theater was the season one winners of truTV’s competition series, “Fake Off.” They most recently appeared on FOX TV’s “Game of Talents.” Their holiday production, “A Very Electric Christmas,” was also broadcast on public television stations in select markets, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with founders Ian and Eleanor Carney.