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.
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