A Seminar, A Workshop and Aerial Acrobatics

This past week started out with a seminar hosted by one of my favorite organizations, ITC. I have been to many of their sessions and they offer excellent training for those in arts management. This most recent seminar was all about the establishing a company. We covered both the legalities and the structure a budding theatre company needs to consider. It was most informative and fantastic insight into how and why companies are arranged in particular formations. This is good to know for those looking to start their own company or to gain a better understanding of an existing company.

Midweek I was offered the opportunity to catch a show by NoFit State Circus called Bianco. Bianco was presented in a circus tent at Southbank Centre. It was indeed a type of circus. There were no animals or clowns, but the acrobats were the feature presentation. They were absolutely amazing. Contemporary trapeze, tightrope walking, juggling, and contortionists were all part of the show and all impressive. However, the aerialists were the highlight. The way these artists danced with sashes dangling from the crown of the tent defied gravity. Several routines were offered with various types of sashes, ropes, and hoops. The agility, control, and strength combined with grace and timing made for a phenomenal show of what a human body can do. An evening well spent.

Saturday I had my own presentation of sorts. The dramaturgical workshop I have been producing was finally realized this past Saturday. My writer, Diana, and I were able to review her script and find games and exercises that might help us to see certain elements in a new light. The four actors that came together and "played" for our benefit were wonderful. The games and exercises involved a great deal of improvisational skill from our actors and they were fantastic at thinking on their feet and getting creative with the script, story, and characters. Diana and I came away with a deeper understand of the potential for the script and are very excited about the new ideas sparked by the workshop. Diana will work with her script this week and make some new edits and adjustments based on her experience with the workshop. This coming Saturday, we will meet again continue with the workshop process. I look forward to reading the results of the two workshop days in the coming drafts of Diana's script.

This week will bring more meetings about the workshop process and continued work on my case study for my thesis. I may even try to catch another show.

I'll let you know how it all goes.
Until next time...

Take care!
-m