... thanks, Jessie! Jessie Kwan, ladies and gentleman, cast member of Wen Wei Wang's Unbound, and our latest dancer-on-tour blogger (just scroll down).
Congratulations to Wen Wei Dance for your success on the Island(s)...
Saturday, February 25, 2012
WWD dancer Jessie Kwan
... thanks, Jessie! Jessie Kwan, ladies and gentleman, cast member of Wen Wei Wang's Unbound, and our latest dancer-on-tour blogger (just scroll down).
Friday, February 24, 2012
Success at Salt Spring!
Sitting on the bed in the Nanaimo's Best Western, typing my first blog entry after a brilliant performance of "Unbound"at the ArtSpring Theater in Salt Spring Island last night. It was a treat to have the community out packing the theater and supporting us! Everything in Salt Spring is so heart warming, the community has such a strong passion about the arts, and of course the food is delicious. The halibut is so fresh and Barbs Bakery's cheese stick twist is really something.
We're now resting up for our closing night tomorrow at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo. This has definitely been a short and delightful tour!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Through the Ages….
Well, we have reached a new demographic with this tour…..the theatre going crowds ! Our audiences were packed with the people who go to see theatre on a regular bases, mostly retirees. In fact there were often many 60, 70 and 80 year olds in the front rows of these tour shows, which is to me a kind of honour, especially considering the 1930s setting. And I'm glad to say that there was as much sparkle in their eyes coming out of the show as I've seen on the younger crowds that regularly come out to our home shows. One such lady yesterday said "I enjoyed every minute of it"
In North America, there isn't a tradition of going to theatre like there is in Europe and elsewhere. Hollywood developed here, so we have a film going tradition. There is a divide between audiences of theatre and other types of entertainment. (Whenever I make these grand sweeping statements I feel like I'm in grade 5 writing an essay to prove a somewhat arbitrary point.) A simple observation: the Dusty Flowerpot community has naturally, unthinkingly integrated theatre with celebration. People can mingle and drink throughout, become part of the atmosphere, are spoken to directly from the stage, and there is a dance party after every show. This tour has been very successful in engaging audiences in ways that they are not accustomed to, and in future tours I can see how we could bring more of that to the table. In Golden, I taught a workshops the night before and 12 of the participants entered the marathon, and were on stage in character for almost the entire first act. Through directly involving community members in the show, longer workshops, longer runs, and integrated all age after-parties, I believe that presenters in these smaller towns would be able to reach younger audiences that may start to enjoy theatre throughout the year.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Golden Girls
Excuse all the extremely witty titles for these posts. It's so tempting to make them sound like headlines in a fashion magazine.
Well, the town of Golden was really into the adult humour, including that of Gloria, the aforementioned "Golden Girl" pictured here:
….And also Aaron's character Chuckles, the horrible and hilarious birthday party magician.
In Golden, we worked with a group of fantastic folks called the A-Muse troupe to incorporate them into the show as dance contestants. Each developed a distinct character with a number on their back and a story, and dance with us through most of the first act. Amazing. This show is built for integrating audience to that degree. In fact, I was unsure about putting the show onto a traditional stage, because in my mind the 'stage' for Hard Times Hit Parade should be the entire room. After a couple of chances at experimenting with the black box stage version: the Dance Allsorts show at the Roundhouse and the Choreographic Research Project showing at the Dance Center, I received the feedback that the atmosphere of inclusion and the world of the 1930s is still created. A town hall or a ballroom is a vastly more appropriate fit for the show, however, and that's what we had in Golden.
Well, the town of Golden was really into the adult humour, including that of Gloria, the aforementioned "Golden Girl" pictured here:
….And also Aaron's character Chuckles, the horrible and hilarious birthday party magician.
In Golden, we worked with a group of fantastic folks called the A-Muse troupe to incorporate them into the show as dance contestants. Each developed a distinct character with a number on their back and a story, and dance with us through most of the first act. Amazing. This show is built for integrating audience to that degree. In fact, I was unsure about putting the show onto a traditional stage, because in my mind the 'stage' for Hard Times Hit Parade should be the entire room. After a couple of chances at experimenting with the black box stage version: the Dance Allsorts show at the Roundhouse and the Choreographic Research Project showing at the Dance Center, I received the feedback that the atmosphere of inclusion and the world of the 1930s is still created. A town hall or a ballroom is a vastly more appropriate fit for the show, however, and that's what we had in Golden.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
First we take Kelowna….then we take Golden.
I sit in the middle of a large living room in Golden. The cast are playing the piano on my right, singing "….this morning the hotel pillow was all up in my face…." I love these folks. A fireplace on my left warms the entire house. The snow is constant outside.
The most challenging part of this tour has been driving in the snow. We counted 6 semi-trailers and 3 cars that had been abandoned off the side of the road. Many highways have closed. The trip from Vancouver to Kelowna, a four and a half hour drive according to google maps, took ten hours. Alastair commented that in a way he's glad that nature can still get in the way of our best laid plans. I agree. I think the human race had better get used to that.
Our first show in Kelowna was for Catholic school kids, a demographic that I am personally frightened of, or at least afraid of offending. After all, one of my characters is a washed up alcoholic lounge singer, who warns people that the virgin martinis at the bar are a gyp. "I thought I was getting a virgin and a martini." Needless to say, I cut her monologue way back.
I had no reason to be scared of the kids. They loved the show. Kids are the best kind of hecklers; they answer every question the players ask; they fill the black outs with "what happens next??"; and without any prompting, they voted on which couple they thought should win the marathon. Also they were inspired to start a dance party in the intermission, which is one of my hopes for the show in action.
I'll sign off for tonight, though there is always more to say. I suppose that's the point of a blog. I have never blogged before. In the FB, twitter, blogging, social media universe I am mostly a luddite by choice. Glad that this is my first. Thanks Caroline, and good evening everyone out there.
The most challenging part of this tour has been driving in the snow. We counted 6 semi-trailers and 3 cars that had been abandoned off the side of the road. Many highways have closed. The trip from Vancouver to Kelowna, a four and a half hour drive according to google maps, took ten hours. Alastair commented that in a way he's glad that nature can still get in the way of our best laid plans. I agree. I think the human race had better get used to that.
Our first show in Kelowna was for Catholic school kids, a demographic that I am personally frightened of, or at least afraid of offending. After all, one of my characters is a washed up alcoholic lounge singer, who warns people that the virgin martinis at the bar are a gyp. "I thought I was getting a virgin and a martini." Needless to say, I cut her monologue way back.
I had no reason to be scared of the kids. They loved the show. Kids are the best kind of hecklers; they answer every question the players ask; they fill the black outs with "what happens next??"; and without any prompting, they voted on which couple they thought should win the marathon. Also they were inspired to start a dance party in the intermission, which is one of my hopes for the show in action.
I'll sign off for tonight, though there is always more to say. I suppose that's the point of a blog. I have never blogged before. In the FB, twitter, blogging, social media universe I am mostly a luddite by choice. Glad that this is my first. Thanks Caroline, and good evening everyone out there.
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