Running into a UNCSA Grad

So – last class day of this week – and again – they generally went easy on us. Don’t know if that is always the plan or whether we all just seem wiped out. Suzuki with Aikiko was wonderful – her eye and attention to detail is fantastic. Broke us up into smaller groups to run through the basics (sans walks – thank God!) and then offered individual notes for each student on what they needed to work on. She was dead right on me – I need to work on a consistent speed in Basic 1 and focus more energy out while standing up. The art of disappearing is one I perfected in 10^th grade, but perhaps doesn’t have a place here.

Viewpoints included Christian again sculpting the sonic space. First an open movement jam – which I must admit I enjoyed watching more than participating. This was followed by a sequence of smaller groups working open Viewpoints with Christian’s sound. As always some lovely material.

The afternoon was given over to rehearsal on our final composition. I don’t think anyone would have been up for another double today. We ran into a bit of a roadblock last night and Emma identified the problem fairly quickly. Props are great for action, but they were sucking all of our focus. Today we spent a fair amount of time asking questions like – why are they telling these stories, to who, for what purpose, and who’s perspective do we hear them from. This led to a nice revelation about repetitive movements and sharing individual moments with the audience. We need to get a few things from Wal-Mart tomorrow and memorize our lines – but I think we are farther along this time that the last composition. This is largely due to Emma’s leadership and asking the right questions at the right time.

After a quick beer run – it is Friday after all – we went to an open rehearsal of SITI Company’s take on the first act of Three Sisters. It was nice to see our teachers on stage, putting into action what they have been sharing with us. This was only their fifth rehearsal, but already they had begun to explore structure and specific moments. Both Ellen and Will created wonderful characters (Ellen as Olga and Will as Vershinin), lively, playful, with some great unique choices. It is clear that they have been working together for ages since they feed off of each other so well. Everyone on stage had their moments – but perhaps the most memorable was Tom as Chebutikin bringing the Genie lift out in place of a samovar. Well, that and Barney’s Natasha – which was touching and lovely. The entire company has such an attention to the body, but also a willingness to look foolish or reach too far. It made for a great evening in the theatre.

In the lobby after the performance I caught the eye of another audience member that looked very familiar. Turns out is was Molly Ann Nordin – who graduated from UNCSA a few years ago. I did the Tim Miller workshop with that class that year and they remain a favorite of mine. She is up here working on The Orchard Project and so we talked a bit about SITI Company and Suzuki training. I really do want to bring these folks down to UNCSA. I know its not generally how we approach art-making, but what the hell – if we are serious about innovation and developing new work this would certainly be a way to begin. A humane rehearsal schedule tomorrow – a day that includes laundry, memorizing lines, a trip to Wal-Mart, and hopefully some relaxing and drinking. Still trying to shake whatever I have – so tonight may be a quiet night alone in my room.