Day Two

Well, I am exhausted, but you know, like in a good way. Woke up way stiffer than I went to bed last night and spent a good deal of time just stretching. I know that this probably sounds mean, but it is reassuring to see folks 10, 20, 30 years younger than I am moving a bit slower on day two. Today we started with Suzuki. Steven was the instructor today – totally different style form Will. Lots and lots of focus on body position combined with some great images to keep in mind. Those slow down and up moves just kill me, especially when we stop at some point and hold. Got them rubber legs going crazy. We then did stomping and shakuhachi – essentially stomping in a circle for what seems like an eternity, face and move to the back of the space, collapse, and then slowly rise and slowly move down stage. I really do like the stomping and moving part. Not sure why, maybe cause its not slow.

Viewpoints today was taught by Barney. He provided some really wonderful images on deconstructing material on the horizontal plain – when all spread out there is no hierarchy. Then stacked six objects to discuss how traditional theatrical composition works – with some elements at the top and others at the bottom – knock them all onto the horizontal plain and you can reassemble them any way you want. We did a number of other exercises focused on listening, shifting how we listen, observing and being observed. Lots to think about.

The afternoon was given over to dramaturgy. Norm gave a wonderful into to Three Sisters and really provided some great images to work through the text. His presentation of a handful of productions – including Olivier’s, a discussion of Suzuki’s, and The Wooster Group allowed us to see the text from a ton of different perspectives and through an number of styles. Great way to start the process.

The evening was spent meeting with my composition group to sift through the text and decide on a location for our site-specific piece. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but it is nice to work with a group who seem game to reshape the text. The list of instructions is just daunting. I now know how my students feel when I give them an impossible assignment and just tell them to go ahead and do it and figure it out on their own. But group experiences are always interesting – especially when you have all really just met. I am doing what I can to not be the tedious academic teacher type, but to sit back and listen and talk once I have processed what has been said.

So – end of day two and I am wondering where to get the strength to make it through a month. I feel like we just sprinted for two days. It will be interesting to see how things settle down – if they do at all.