Train-ing

Thursday, I took the Amtrak to Washington, DC. To pass the three and a half hour trip, I sewed part of the feather dress that is worn in Claire and the Ornithological Shadow.

The young woman sitting next to me immediately asked me what I was doing. To be fair, I had anticipated working with 7 yards of fabric and two enormous boas of turkey feathers would be something of a conversation starter. I explained that I was sewing the sleeve of a costume. She told me that it looked great and asked if I’d considered glitter. She said she didn’t know anything about costumes, but she thought that on the stage everything should be bright and sparkly. I apologized repeatedly to her for getting specks of feather on her black wool coat, but she told me repeatedly that she loved it and even asked me for a full feather as a souvenir.

Then the conductor came by and hovered over me. I was sure I was going to get in trouble for the glinting, razor sharp sewing shears sitting on my tray. The conductor said: “You makin’ a dress?” I nodded, still mentally picturing my scissors being confiscated and myself kicked off the moving train. “Looks good” she said and moved on.

My next visitor was a pleasant, ancient woman from two rows behind me. “I’m so fascinated by what you are doing!” she exclaimed, “tell me, is that a sleeve?” I said yes which sent her rejoicing. “Oh, I told my husband that was a sleeve! Tell me, what is this for?” I explained that it was a costume for a play I was doing in Brooklyn. She replied: “That’s so lovely! Well, I won’t keep you. But I just wanted to tell you that the sleeve is beautiful and I’m sure I’ll read about your play in the paper!”

This is my first time creating a dress from scratch and I am a little nervous about it. However, I can happily report that everyone on the train loves the dress! I had several other lovely people comment on my work. My seat mate has plans to see the show.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and it was wonderful to spend it artistically productive and part of such a charming, art-enthused, friendly community. I can’t wait for my return trip tomorrow!

Written by Julie Congress

Thanks For Theatre

With thanksgiving come and gone I wanted to write, perhaps a bit self indulgently, about how thankful I am to be a theatre artist. On Thursday, I am on my way to Waterbury Connecticut with fellow company member and collaborator Julie Congress. This trip brings three blessings. First, I get to work with high school students. In case you did not know, I have a real passion for working with young theatre artists, there is a vibrancy and life to young artists that I find inspiring and motivational. Second, I get to direct the festival showcase production, which will be a challenging and professional experience. I’ve been given a room with an attached living area in case I want to have meetings. Third, and perhaps misplaced in my list of thanks, I get to collaborate with Julie! It is rare to find someone with whom you can co-direct and both end up feeling really proud of the finished product. Julie and I have the ability to create a unified vision and then see it to it’s completion. A recipe for success that I am of course grateful for.

That is only one thing. There are other things as well. That you should know about! For instance we have a reading on Dec. 1^st of a play called The Resurrectionist. We are reading the play with English accents, which is really fun. It is also an adventure story, which is doubly fun. Then of course we have our opening of Claire and the Ornithological Shadow. The more I have been thinking about it the more I think it is really going to be an excellent venture. I feel lucky that I am in a position where I can produce risky, new, experimental work. I am not sure on the commercial success of the productions. It does not really fit the formula for large monetary gain…it is an unknown play, it is playing in Brooklyn, No. 11 Productions is still a very new company, we have not gotten the kind of press that we wore hoping for (yet). That being said, it is still an admirable example of theatre as powerful art. The play is simple and beautiful, which is ideally perhaps how we should live our lives…simply and beautifully. I am not sure about that one but it makes sense to me today.

Alright, thank you so much for reading and caring and caring to read. I hope you have not read this entry to carefully, I ramble. I wish everyone the best of weekends and I will write again soon. To the simple and beautiful life!

Written by Ryan Emmons

Rehearsal Photos

Here are a few rehearsal photos from Claire and the Ornithological Shadow.  These scenes take place in the shadow portion of the show:  

BLOG CPR

Step 1.  CALL

 

Check the victim for unresponsiveness. 

 

Readers?   Hello?  Hold on, hang in there, more postings are on the way.  We have gotten carried away with our production of Claire and the Ornithological Shadow. Building the set and folding dozens of paper birds have taken away from our more frequent Blogging practices.  Not to fear, balance is to be found.  I’ve been looking for it for 5 months now and I feel like I am on the cusp of it.  That is not to say that I feel like I am even close to achieving balance in my life, but I do feel like I am learning.  Learning how to deal with a day job, a theatre company and a personal life.  There is no question that it is a lot to juggle and that it is a problem many young (and perhaps older) theatre artists face.  I wish I could provide an answer to a schedule that involves working from 9-5, rehearsing from 7-10, and still getting in personal time.  It is a riddle. 

 

Step 2.  BLOW

 

Tilt the head back and listen for breathing.

 

Alright, perhaps this is more depressing then resuscitating, so I will move on.  Claire and the Ornithological Shadow has kicked into high gear.  With only ten more rehearsals left, the show is finally starting to click in that really magical way that perhaps only theatre artists know about.  We should be putting some pretty exciting production photos on our website soon so that you can get a sneak peek into just how remarkable this production is going to be.  This is me, gently blowing all of you into the theatre to share in this unique theatrical experiment. 

 

Step 3.  PUMP  

 

If the victim is still not breathing normally, coughing or moving, begin chest compressions.

 

So get up, come out, and allow yourself to be moved by the ability of a young woman and a shadow to change their existence for the better.  This is the first piece that No. 11 Productions has created as an ensemble and we are very proud of this original work.  It is a risky piece of theatre, yet it is also simple and beautiful.  The character that Samantha has created is by far her strongest work with the company and the precision and specificity of Mitchell is unparalleled in any of our previous work.  The shadow puppets designed by Jen Neads are skillfully made and professional.  Obviously I am PUMPING up the show…shamelessly.  I am proud of what we have created and I am certain that when you see it, our slight BLOG hiatus will be forgiven.  If not, at least you will have had an uplifting and not so expensive night of theatre. 

 

It should be known that I am not certified in CPR, but that was my best attempt!        

Written by Ryan Emmons          

On Hope and Guidance

CONGRESS IN SESSION

To the Fair Assembly of this Great United States,

Two pivotal events occurred this week, one great and one small, but both endowing me with new vigor and belief.

First was the monumental election of Senator Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. I am an avid supporter of this dynamic gentleman and was thrilled to be on the streets of New York City amid cheers and honking when McCain’s concession was announced. This campaign was really something special. For the first election in my lifetime, there were ways for the everyday citizen to get involved other than just giving money (to go into the pockets of the television network giants).

It occurred to me, while watching Obama’s acceptance speech, that maybe this incredible national involvement will not end. Prior to now, I have assumed that the involvement of the typical US citizen in this representative democracy does not extend past voting and paying taxes. It has suddenly dawned on me that perhaps there is more. Perhaps we the people will play a role, should we accept it, beyond casting our ballot and be a part of the Great Change. I am 22 years old and this is the first time I have really felt proud, and excited, to be an American.

The second encouraging event of the week occurred last night, when Ryan Emmons (New Jersey-D) and I met our beloved teacher and mentor, Marie, for drinks and discussion. For four years, Marie guided, pushed, challenged, and encouraged us and I am so grateful that, though we have graduated, she is still just as much in our lives. With her usual no-nonsense insight, she has helped me see the path again in terms of our company, the current play, and reaching my dreams. Talking with her has reminded me how simple it all is. If something isn’t working, don’t keep slamming your head against it or looking around vaguely for an answer, just go to the source and find what caused it and fix that.

So thank you, Barack and Marie, for allowing me to see how to make the change we need.

Written by Julie Congress