Well, I did, and jumped right back into work on Hank Williams: Lost Highway at Circuit Playhouse. A smooth process with a very talented cast, and my second collaboration with MD Renee Kemper. Dear friend and fantastic MD!
Now it's on to Blood Brothers at the U of M - my third year project (and final major one) at the University. The job search begins.
I continue to be inspired by the Symposium, instructors and participants. This feels like a new phase in my directing, and it's exciting!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Another week of contrast
Ok - so right now we are working with Leigh Fondakowski and Romeo Castellucci, two very different practitioners of so-called "devised theatre," in which a theatrical work is created. Leigh is very text based, where as Romeo despises text, and uses very little spoken-word.
In Leigh's class, we are working on developing a piece that focuses on the history, the people, the events of La MaMa Umbria. Tied to our emminent departure, this is quite moving. My group is working with the ghost stories of this place, and how we leave behind traces where ever we go, no matter how long we are there.
The interesting element of Romeo's work is how one given moment can sustain for longer than we expect. He had us write a description of an event (an unlimited budget for this theatre of the mind, but it must be do-able). The first time we did this exercise, he gave us 10 elements that had to be included along with 3 or 4 "rules." The majority of these events were violent, graphic, or dark in nature, and as one of my classmates pointed out, we had just watched his work, and as a result were very influenced by it. The second time, he allowed us to create our own rules, and use 5 elements, keeping it simple. He commented that my image of a child climbing a ladder of stars was very beautiful. So we know, if this image shows up in a Romeo Castellucci piece someday in the future, I should be getting a check in the mail...
Today we are working on images or actions that involve fake blood...and then there is a horse. Not quite sure what that will entail. I've never even ridden a horse...so this should be interesting!
The packing process has begun. I can't believe the month is almost up, but I am ready to head home.
In Leigh's class, we are working on developing a piece that focuses on the history, the people, the events of La MaMa Umbria. Tied to our emminent departure, this is quite moving. My group is working with the ghost stories of this place, and how we leave behind traces where ever we go, no matter how long we are there.
The interesting element of Romeo's work is how one given moment can sustain for longer than we expect. He had us write a description of an event (an unlimited budget for this theatre of the mind, but it must be do-able). The first time we did this exercise, he gave us 10 elements that had to be included along with 3 or 4 "rules." The majority of these events were violent, graphic, or dark in nature, and as one of my classmates pointed out, we had just watched his work, and as a result were very influenced by it. The second time, he allowed us to create our own rules, and use 5 elements, keeping it simple. He commented that my image of a child climbing a ladder of stars was very beautiful. So we know, if this image shows up in a Romeo Castellucci piece someday in the future, I should be getting a check in the mail...
Today we are working on images or actions that involve fake blood...and then there is a horse. Not quite sure what that will entail. I've never even ridden a horse...so this should be interesting!
The packing process has begun. I can't believe the month is almost up, but I am ready to head home.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Back to work!
We are now getting into the routine of the last week of sessions. Leigh is working in the mornings, only, which gives us the chance to rev up for Romeo in the afternoon.
This morning with Leigh, we worked on creating one and two person moments, and then creating moments using one prop, and trying to focus only on using the prop in an unexpected way. I look forward to learning about the approach of Tectonic Theatre Project in regards to documentary theatre.
For Romeo's session today, we watched more video segments, and I got a better sense of the sheer scope and size of his work. Although some of his subject matter is a little much for me, I do have an appreciation for the visual composition and technical elements required to achieve his vision. It defies explanation and description, so I don't think I'll try. But it is very PROVOKING, and the consensus here is mostly in one of two camps - either love or hate the work. I think I will continue to walk the middle, as I can easily separate subject matter from craft. His work is also giving me some ideas, so Blood Brothers design team, look out!!
The central question of Romeo's work is about the eye and the gaze, and distinguishing the visible from the seeable. For me, this translates well into my interest in memory, and also the simplicity with which one can direct focus on stage. I wonder if John Mac has seen any of his work. His use of color and lighting is crazy cool. I can't come up with a better description than that.
Late this evening, we had a visit from some Senegalese musicians (drummers), who joined us for dinner, and then played for about 45 minutes up in the field. Quite wonderful!
This morning with Leigh, we worked on creating one and two person moments, and then creating moments using one prop, and trying to focus only on using the prop in an unexpected way. I look forward to learning about the approach of Tectonic Theatre Project in regards to documentary theatre.
For Romeo's session today, we watched more video segments, and I got a better sense of the sheer scope and size of his work. Although some of his subject matter is a little much for me, I do have an appreciation for the visual composition and technical elements required to achieve his vision. It defies explanation and description, so I don't think I'll try. But it is very PROVOKING, and the consensus here is mostly in one of two camps - either love or hate the work. I think I will continue to walk the middle, as I can easily separate subject matter from craft. His work is also giving me some ideas, so Blood Brothers design team, look out!!
The central question of Romeo's work is about the eye and the gaze, and distinguishing the visible from the seeable. For me, this translates well into my interest in memory, and also the simplicity with which one can direct focus on stage. I wonder if John Mac has seen any of his work. His use of color and lighting is crazy cool. I can't come up with a better description than that.
Late this evening, we had a visit from some Senegalese musicians (drummers), who joined us for dinner, and then played for about 45 minutes up in the field. Quite wonderful!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A small world and sightseeing
After our last session, I headed into Spoleto for a reunion with an old friend, Patrick, who was an actor on the very first tour I stage managed out of college. What a small world that we both happened to be in Italy at the same time, and in the same town for that matter! I got to sit in on the end of the cooking class he was attending. We strolled around the town, ate gelato and drank wine and caught up on the past 12 or so years. Fantastic!
Tuesday, our day off was spent touring the Umbrian countryside. First we hit Deruta, famous for its handpainted ceramics. We had the opportunity to tour their shop, where my brother-in-law would have been envious of the quick centering and spinning skills. The artisan has been working there for over 30 years. We observed each stage of the process, from glazing, painting and reglazing. Some traditional designs (like the blowing dragon - a symbol of good luck) require a stencil, but many are done freehand. The most enchanting pattern was the peacock feather, reminscent of a stained glass rose window in many churches - absolutely stunning. The large charger size (approximately 18") takes about 3 hours, depending on the complexity.
Then on to the Ceasarini Santori vineyard for lunch and a wine tasting. This beautiful vineyard is home to a new cantina, where we had a three course lunch, sampling two red wines and a white, a dessert red wine and grappa. Needless to say we were all tipsy before 3 pm! Sadly, it is not available in America yet, as the label is new, and in the proccess of getting all of its international certifications. I did buy 2 bottles of the good red, and if you are nice to me, I might share with you...!
Hopping back on the bus, we took a scenic route to Orvieto, yet another lovely Italian town with the most incredible Duomo in the center. Description will fail to do it justice, so I'll add photos to this post soon. Dinner in Orvieto, and we returned to the villa after midnight. So the day of rest...wasn't really...Today I buzzed into Spoleto for one last visit, finally getting to Il Rocca, the fort/castle that dominates the profile of the town. It was a hot walk up hill (way to burn off all the great food I've been eating) and I got the basic ticket, getting me into the main gallery, courtyard and ramparts. Fantastic views over Spoleto, and a room called the painted room, completely covered in frescoes with the theme "Courtly Love." Quite a treat.
This evening, we had our first session with Romeo Castellucci's assistant, and got a chance to see some of his work on video. Very contemporary, provocative, and I am curious to see what we'll work with him on this coming week. Rumor is there is a horse coming in for the last day.
Ciao!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A cultural melange
So this week's theme was quite the mix. We alternated between sessions with hip-hop theatre innovator and director Daniel Banks and contemporary Japanese theatre director and playwright Takeshi Kawamura. A little dizzying! We are finishing up with them tomorrow, and then have two half-days and one full day off. Our field trip this week is on Tuesday, and I believe we will be visiting a vineyard! Woo-hoo!
Friday, July 17, 2009
A whimsy
At the community festival, there were some games where it was possible to win a bottle of sparkling wine or a live chick. A few folks participated, and won 2 live chicks, and 2 bottles of sparkling wine. Here's a picture of me with Stewart. (their names are Ellen and Stewart in honor of our patroness)
This sagra featured live music, a great meal with lots and lots of food (including gnocchi!!). It was a lovely way to close off the first two week session and send off those participants that were not staying for the whole month. Behind my head, you can kind of see the decoration for the tent - sheaves of wheat with red poppies, tied with wide red paper ribbon. Lovely!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Going uphill
Workshops recommenced yesterday, and at the moment, I feel like I'm trying to gain momentum. My brain is already pretty full of ideas and concepts, and now I'm working to make space for those of 4 more teaching artists.
The weather has gotten quite hot, with the temperature in Spoleto yesterday reaching 39* (approx 100* F). We have no air conditioning here at the villa, so we make do with fans, wearing cool clothing and drinking lots of water. Our siesta time from 1-4 pm helps, but by 11:30 it takes its toll.
More tomorrow!
The weather has gotten quite hot, with the temperature in Spoleto yesterday reaching 39* (approx 100* F). We have no air conditioning here at the villa, so we make do with fans, wearing cool clothing and drinking lots of water. Our siesta time from 1-4 pm helps, but by 11:30 it takes its toll.
More tomorrow!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A long-awaited update
My apologies for not updating sooner!
After saying goodbye to those participants that were only here for the first session, Sunday became an interesting day. With several folks wanting to go into Rome, La MaMa arranged a van to take us in. It was Roma in six hours or less! We drove by the Colessium, Campo di Fiore, Piazza Navona, St. Peter's Square and Maria Trasevere. Great day with Paco as our tour guide. After some airport shuttling confusion, we made it back to Spoleto and had dinner at the Trattoria Gardinere, a restaurant with a a nice outdoor patio. After having eaten in Rome and Spoleto, Elisa's cooking at the villa is the best!
Monday, Retta, Jung and I rented a car and drove out to explore a little of Umbria. We drove up to Lake Trasimeno, stopped for a bit by the lake (and to play in the sunflowers) then made our way to Castiglione del Lago - a beautiful little hillside town with a castle at the top which overlooks the lake. After that, we drove on to Perugia, the capital city of Umbria. It's a pretty big city, and we arrived on what was the first day of a 2-week Jazz festival, with headliners like Wynton Marsalis and James Taylor. The city's architecture is quite different, with a more Byzantine influence, giving it an unusual feel. After a tasty falafel for dinner (since we'd been spoiled by Elisa's food, we took a break from Italian!), we headed back to the villa for an early night.
New participants arrived yesterday, and we are now complete once again. Our first session is this afternoon, with a morning free to spend in Spoleto. Daniel Banks kicks off this session.
Farewell to Mechele, Debra, Natalie, David, Tee, Sarah and Jay! May our paths cross again. Welcome to SuAnn, Anthem, Adam, Eric, Mai, Myra, Amy and Jenny.
After saying goodbye to those participants that were only here for the first session, Sunday became an interesting day. With several folks wanting to go into Rome, La MaMa arranged a van to take us in. It was Roma in six hours or less! We drove by the Colessium, Campo di Fiore, Piazza Navona, St. Peter's Square and Maria Trasevere. Great day with Paco as our tour guide. After some airport shuttling confusion, we made it back to Spoleto and had dinner at the Trattoria Gardinere, a restaurant with a a nice outdoor patio. After having eaten in Rome and Spoleto, Elisa's cooking at the villa is the best!
Monday, Retta, Jung and I rented a car and drove out to explore a little of Umbria. We drove up to Lake Trasimeno, stopped for a bit by the lake (and to play in the sunflowers) then made our way to Castiglione del Lago - a beautiful little hillside town with a castle at the top which overlooks the lake. After that, we drove on to Perugia, the capital city of Umbria. It's a pretty big city, and we arrived on what was the first day of a 2-week Jazz festival, with headliners like Wynton Marsalis and James Taylor. The city's architecture is quite different, with a more Byzantine influence, giving it an unusual feel. After a tasty falafel for dinner (since we'd been spoiled by Elisa's food, we took a break from Italian!), we headed back to the villa for an early night.
New participants arrived yesterday, and we are now complete once again. Our first session is this afternoon, with a morning free to spend in Spoleto. Daniel Banks kicks off this session.
Farewell to Mechele, Debra, Natalie, David, Tee, Sarah and Jay! May our paths cross again. Welcome to SuAnn, Anthem, Adam, Eric, Mai, Myra, Amy and Jenny.
Friday, July 10, 2009
A mindblowing and busy week.
This has been a crazy week.
Between sessions with the Russian about Chekhov, and sessions with the Greek about choral work...my brain is just overflowing with concepts, ideas, problems, questions, and where do I as an artist go next. This afternoon sparked many ideas that I look forward to exploring in the future months and years. Tomorrow we have an international exchange with an acting school in Seoul, Korea - via teleconference! One more session with Michael, then we visit a local festival featuring gnocchi...YUM.
I am looking forward to the break between sessions. Some new friends from here and I are going to do some day trips to nearby towns and see some more of Umbria and Tuscany. It's hard to believe that this experience is nearly half over.
Thanks for reading.
Between sessions with the Russian about Chekhov, and sessions with the Greek about choral work...my brain is just overflowing with concepts, ideas, problems, questions, and where do I as an artist go next. This afternoon sparked many ideas that I look forward to exploring in the future months and years. Tomorrow we have an international exchange with an acting school in Seoul, Korea - via teleconference! One more session with Michael, then we visit a local festival featuring gnocchi...YUM.
I am looking forward to the break between sessions. Some new friends from here and I are going to do some day trips to nearby towns and see some more of Umbria and Tuscany. It's hard to believe that this experience is nearly half over.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
And the work continues
Tuesday was a fascinating day. Two workshops that are very different - Michael is working with us on creating a choral presence. He defines it as creating a collective memory and experience, and as such we used an exercise to create scenes in an elevator - something which we all have in common. The operator describes the scene, and actors take their positions within the scene as they are described. The operator continues to get instructing, with the actors (models) adjusting as necessary, as they can interpret an instruction they way they wish, but the operator may change that interpretation to more closely resemble their memory. Through this exercise we examine memory through three layers - 1 the actual event, 2 the artistic creation of the event and 3 the reality correcting the art. Gloria, you'd be so proud!
Kama Ginkas in the afternoon - so much to write here, but I will encapsulate it by saying that learning about Chekhov from a Russian director is fantastic. He is very regimented in the way that he begins a session, and exhorts us all to find internal discipline in order that we may be prepared for the entrance of the director. Likewise for actors, they must be equally prepared to make the JUMP into their characters. He views our profession as a dedication. Which makes The Seagull an interesting script to work on with him, as a substantial through line is about the vocations of the characters.
In the evening, I lead a fantastic round table about the relationship between director and stage manager, and different tools and techniques for strengthening that relationship. Great input from Michael, our guest director from Greece.
Quick trip into town, and the magical gelato combo was apricot and chocolate.
Kama Ginkas in the afternoon - so much to write here, but I will encapsulate it by saying that learning about Chekhov from a Russian director is fantastic. He is very regimented in the way that he begins a session, and exhorts us all to find internal discipline in order that we may be prepared for the entrance of the director. Likewise for actors, they must be equally prepared to make the JUMP into their characters. He views our profession as a dedication. Which makes The Seagull an interesting script to work on with him, as a substantial through line is about the vocations of the characters.
In the evening, I lead a fantastic round table about the relationship between director and stage manager, and different tools and techniques for strengthening that relationship. Great input from Michael, our guest director from Greece.
Quick trip into town, and the magical gelato combo was apricot and chocolate.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The end of week one.
I cannot believe that week one has already passed us by! Our day off on Sunday was incredible. We gathered ourselves for a bus trip to the local flea market where I purchased a beautiful carved wooden bowl. It was fun to see all the different stuff that was for sale there. We all chatted about bargains on the bus as we drove on up to Assisi. Once we arrived, we had a picnic lunch overlooking the valley - porchetta sandwiches, fresh fruit and little tomatoes. GREAT!
Assisi, we had some time to wander around, although the Church of S. Chiara (St. Claire) was not open, it was still beautiful with 3 large buttresses to support it. Much of Assisi is made of this rose colored stone, so it takes on a pinkish tinge. Walking through the town, it has such a special feel, that I was hardly surprised to be so completely moved when walking through the Church of S. Francesco (St. Francis) pictured above. Sadly, no photos are allowed inside, but the rich color of the frescoes is absolutely breathtaking.
After Assisi, we returned to Spoleto to see Happy Days by Samuel Beckett directed by Robert Wilson. I'm interested to revisit the text to see if his style choices were supported in any way by the text. Then, dinner in a wonderful restaurant down one of the side streets.
Monday, we had a morning at lesiure, so I cracked into Lost Highway and did a little napping. Then our first session with Kama Ginkas, Russian director and playwright. We'll be discussing The Seagull with him. Also had an opportunity to see some of Michael Marmarinos' (Greece) work on video. Today, sessions continue, and tonight after dinner I will chat with folks about getting the most out of working with their stage manager.
Have a lovely day!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Hooray! I have luggage!
My suitcase arrived today, and I have to say that kind of overshadowed the other events of today....!
Today was a very interesting day beyond that - table work for the final scene of The Winter's Tale and then as a group, we played with the staging of it. As I was an actor today, tomorrow I will direct and stage that scene. Hooray! In Tee's last day of Chinese opera staging, I performed a scene with Tee where I was a passenger in a boat on the river - taking me from the bank, into the boat, journeying in the boat (including a big wave), and finally arriving on the other shore.
Tomorrow morning we have class, and then will hit Spoleto for the afternoon. Cutting it short, as I have work to do!
Ciao! Happy 4th of July!
Today was a very interesting day beyond that - table work for the final scene of The Winter's Tale and then as a group, we played with the staging of it. As I was an actor today, tomorrow I will direct and stage that scene. Hooray! In Tee's last day of Chinese opera staging, I performed a scene with Tee where I was a passenger in a boat on the river - taking me from the bank, into the boat, journeying in the boat (including a big wave), and finally arriving on the other shore.
Tomorrow morning we have class, and then will hit Spoleto for the afternoon. Cutting it short, as I have work to do!
Ciao! Happy 4th of July!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The importance of collaboration
Two workshops again today - with Tee working in the morning on Chinese opera staging techniques. I missed the first forty-five minutes calling every number I had plus others in order to find my missing baggage (with a vague promise of delivery in "the next two days"). But Tee puts us right in there, solving problems, finding staging solutions under the rules which we learned yesterday. Today's scenarios included using multiple locations, still in a 10' x 10' square!! Talk about a challenge. Body posture and focus are SO important.
It's really the evening session that really highlighted some things for me today. We had two collaborations during this session with Liz and they could not have been more different. The first, was attentive, team centered work, with all of us listening, sharing and coming up with an idea that incorporated all of our individual points of view, with a result that was moving and representative of each of the four of us. The second collaboration was much less fruitful and significantly less open, with the five group members vying for voice and attention.
Heavy rain again today with brick oven made pizza for dinner (and pork ribs!!). I have a invitation to visit Seoul with friends Jung and Sam anytime. Another full day tomorrow with Tee and Liz!
It's really the evening session that really highlighted some things for me today. We had two collaborations during this session with Liz and they could not have been more different. The first, was attentive, team centered work, with all of us listening, sharing and coming up with an idea that incorporated all of our individual points of view, with a result that was moving and representative of each of the four of us. The second collaboration was much less fruitful and significantly less open, with the five group members vying for voice and attention.
Heavy rain again today with brick oven made pizza for dinner (and pork ribs!!). I have a invitation to visit Seoul with friends Jung and Sam anytime. Another full day tomorrow with Tee and Liz!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Day 3 - it feels like it's been a week!
Two fantastic workshops today...more great food...
I should make clear that the participants here work as the actors in all scene work and experiments in class - there is no acting company other than us! Quite fun for me, as it's been a while since I've actively participated. So in a way, we wear two hats, and I think that will enable us, and me specifically to get the maximum impact out of the whole experience. Translating what I've learned as a "company member" will only help me as a director, and strengthen my ability to use what I'm learning here in real-life application.
This morning was part two of working with Liz Diamond. We did some actual scene work today, and most of them were lead by some of the folks from Asia. It was fantastic to experience their perspective on Shakespeare, and participate in their visions. Our evening workshop was lead by Liangtee Tue in Chinese Opera staging techniques. Tonight we were learning the basics - walking, arm gestures and stage positioning in a variety of 1, 2, or 3 character circumstances. I look forward to applying it to scene work tomorrow.
Lots of rain this afternoon, that really cooled things off. It was quite humid today, and tonight as I sit under the clearing sky and stars, it is cool enough to need a sweater. More fantastic food, and Tre Leche cake for dessert. No suitcase yet, but I will go to a mall tomorrow during the siesta time to get a pair of shorts and an extra shirt...
Buona sera!
I should make clear that the participants here work as the actors in all scene work and experiments in class - there is no acting company other than us! Quite fun for me, as it's been a while since I've actively participated. So in a way, we wear two hats, and I think that will enable us, and me specifically to get the maximum impact out of the whole experience. Translating what I've learned as a "company member" will only help me as a director, and strengthen my ability to use what I'm learning here in real-life application.
This morning was part two of working with Liz Diamond. We did some actual scene work today, and most of them were lead by some of the folks from Asia. It was fantastic to experience their perspective on Shakespeare, and participate in their visions. Our evening workshop was lead by Liangtee Tue in Chinese Opera staging techniques. Tonight we were learning the basics - walking, arm gestures and stage positioning in a variety of 1, 2, or 3 character circumstances. I look forward to applying it to scene work tomorrow.
Lots of rain this afternoon, that really cooled things off. It was quite humid today, and tonight as I sit under the clearing sky and stars, it is cool enough to need a sweater. More fantastic food, and Tre Leche cake for dessert. No suitcase yet, but I will go to a mall tomorrow during the siesta time to get a pair of shorts and an extra shirt...
Buona sera!
I am in creative heaven.
I think every director I know needs to beg, borrow and steal to come to this program if the last two days are any indication.
Yesterday morning, we had a walking tour of Spoleto, with a light luncheon of regional specialties including black truffle tapenade...YUM. We will go back to Spoleto on Saturday afternoon to see some of the Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi and to celebrate the birthday of one of the particpants.
Workshops began yesterday afternoon, with the classes taking place both in a studio with huge skylights and also on the outdoor canopied stage. Yesterday afternoon and this morning's classes were with Meredith Monk. She worked with us on the voice and body connection, and developing the ritual of performance, doing so through isolating elements of that performance: image, social gesture, sound (not words), abstract movement, and finally words (no movement!). We also explored creating a shrine out of a place - what does that mean...What is a ritual gesture? What is a ritual song? How do these elements create mystery and attach significance to what we do as artists.
This afternoon, Liz Diamond began her 5 session workshop which dovetailed nicely into the work we did with Meredith. We are examining The Winter's Tale with Liz, and as such, there is a question of faith that needs to be explored as an important theme and turning point of the play. Some fantastic improvisations came out of this work.
This evening, Paco, our resident helper as well as video artist, created an interactive performance piece for Meredith, who leaves our company tomorrow. Using a headlamp, we could wave the light at a computer screen, and it would create ripples in the image projected on the wall, and change the sounds being played. Incredible. And his tiramisu ROCKED.
More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
Yesterday morning, we had a walking tour of Spoleto, with a light luncheon of regional specialties including black truffle tapenade...YUM. We will go back to Spoleto on Saturday afternoon to see some of the Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi and to celebrate the birthday of one of the particpants.
Workshops began yesterday afternoon, with the classes taking place both in a studio with huge skylights and also on the outdoor canopied stage. Yesterday afternoon and this morning's classes were with Meredith Monk. She worked with us on the voice and body connection, and developing the ritual of performance, doing so through isolating elements of that performance: image, social gesture, sound (not words), abstract movement, and finally words (no movement!). We also explored creating a shrine out of a place - what does that mean...What is a ritual gesture? What is a ritual song? How do these elements create mystery and attach significance to what we do as artists.
This afternoon, Liz Diamond began her 5 session workshop which dovetailed nicely into the work we did with Meredith. We are examining The Winter's Tale with Liz, and as such, there is a question of faith that needs to be explored as an important theme and turning point of the play. Some fantastic improvisations came out of this work.
This evening, Paco, our resident helper as well as video artist, created an interactive performance piece for Meredith, who leaves our company tomorrow. Using a headlamp, we could wave the light at a computer screen, and it would create ripples in the image projected on the wall, and change the sounds being played. Incredible. And his tiramisu ROCKED.
More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Ah! Italia!
After a rather rough flight and only sporadic sleep, I arrived in Roma...but my bag did not. Really, this is not an issue as expected something like that to happen what with two connecting flights and all. And besides...I'm in Italy! The drive to Spoleto was beautiful, with the countryside getting more and more hilly and mountainous as we got closer to the villa. Fields of sunflowers dotted the side of the road, and olive tree groves sprang up the farther from Rome we got.
There are a wide variety of people here - 4 from Singapore, 2 from Seoul, South Korea, and the rest from the US. Ages range from 21 to mid-50's, with both professionals and academics. I am sharing a room with a grad student from Sarah Lawrence who is here for the four weeks as well. Our room is at the top of a tower of rooms, and overlooks the villa's garden as well as the hills of Umbria (and olive tree groves).
Today, we had time to relax and get orientated to the villa and grounds here. Parts of the original structure of the house date from 1511. It has been beautifully and lovingly restored over the years that La MaMa has owned it, with rehearsal spaces, a chapel and common eating areas. The grounds are wonderfully landscaped, with potted hydrangeas, climbing jasmine (which is in bloom!) and roses. This evening, we walked down to the bottom of the hill for dinner at a local restaurant, sampling a variety of antipasti including figs, prosciutto, seafood salad and some delicious pizzas, including the local specialty with black truffle. YUM! And of course, lots of discussion about art and theatre.
Pictures will follow as soon as the bag arrives with the uploading cable...
Buona notte!
There are a wide variety of people here - 4 from Singapore, 2 from Seoul, South Korea, and the rest from the US. Ages range from 21 to mid-50's, with both professionals and academics. I am sharing a room with a grad student from Sarah Lawrence who is here for the four weeks as well. Our room is at the top of a tower of rooms, and overlooks the villa's garden as well as the hills of Umbria (and olive tree groves).
Today, we had time to relax and get orientated to the villa and grounds here. Parts of the original structure of the house date from 1511. It has been beautifully and lovingly restored over the years that La MaMa has owned it, with rehearsal spaces, a chapel and common eating areas. The grounds are wonderfully landscaped, with potted hydrangeas, climbing jasmine (which is in bloom!) and roses. This evening, we walked down to the bottom of the hill for dinner at a local restaurant, sampling a variety of antipasti including figs, prosciutto, seafood salad and some delicious pizzas, including the local specialty with black truffle. YUM! And of course, lots of discussion about art and theatre.
Pictures will follow as soon as the bag arrives with the uploading cable...
Buona notte!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
My bags are packed...
Off I go in the morning! It's finally here!!!
Everything is packed up...clothes, reading materials, journal. And the camera! I really enjoyed taking photos the last trip to Italy, and I look forward to a new part of the countryside to capture.
Everything is in the bags. Time to catch a few winks before I go.
Everything is packed up...clothes, reading materials, journal. And the camera! I really enjoyed taking photos the last trip to Italy, and I look forward to a new part of the countryside to capture.
Everything is in the bags. Time to catch a few winks before I go.
Friday, June 19, 2009
10 days to go!
I'm getting really excited now. Organizing and packing has begun. I have several scripts to read before I get there - A Winter's Tale, The Seagull as well as two scripts for Chinese-Canadian director Liangtee Tue. Workshops for the first two weeks will be lead by Liz Diamond, Meredith Monk, Kama Ginkas, Michael Marmarinos and Liangtee Tue. My graduate committee suggested that I take a look at The Dramatic Imagination by Robert Edmund Jones before I go, so that's on the list too!
It will be a long trip - I leave Memphis at about 9:30 Saturday morning, and arrive in Rome at 8:45 am Sunday morning after two connections. From Rome, it's about a 2 hour ride to Spoleto. Hopefully I'll have slept on the plane so that I can enjoy the drive!
It will be a long trip - I leave Memphis at about 9:30 Saturday morning, and arrive in Rome at 8:45 am Sunday morning after two connections. From Rome, it's about a 2 hour ride to Spoleto. Hopefully I'll have slept on the plane so that I can enjoy the drive!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Ciao tutti!
Welcome to my blog for my month-long trip to Italy. I plan on sharing events of the workshop as well as the sights and sounds (and tastes!) of Italy. My last trip there was in 2006 with my sister and mom, and we had a fantastic time up in the northern region - visiting Pavia, Piacenza, Portofino, Lago Maggiore and Varese. Absolutely beautiful.This trip will put me farther south, in the town of Spoleto in Umbria, about half-way between Rome and Firenze (Florence). Day trips that are planned include nearby towns of Assisi, Perugia, Deruta and Orvieto. I have two days off between sessions, and hope to journey a little further afield, but I haven't decided where yet. Departure in less than three weeks!
Ciao!
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