Chance and Control

Just booked the jumping castle and gold decor :)
Still a bit worried about all the cake that's going to end up on the floor. It looks awesome, and really enhances the metaphor.. wish we were last on the programme instead of first.. we will think of something.
Rehearsals have been great. The work has really evolved since the first performance. I think a lot of it has to do with the new cast of performers. Everybody brings something unique. There were certain things from the original (like the 'It's not here head' trio) that seemed odd on the new cast. But then there were also new things that developed from working with the new personalities. This revealed the extent to which each individual performer influences not only the performance, but also the process.


I started feeling a little uneasy about how much of the design of the work we have started to shape and control. My initial aim was to provide a structure for a 'series of events' in which the performers had space to make their own decisions, within certain parameters.
I think that I achieved this more in the UNCG performance, however, I think that the Baxter performance will be far more enjoyable and accessible to the audience. I suppose that even when working through improvisation there are certain things that one has to predetermine and 'control' in presentation/performance. It has been exciting to work with this interplay of chance and control. I am really excited for next week and can't wait to see the work.

Cast Party

in the middle

I love the balloon section. It looks great. This is how it happened: Steve wanted to choreograph a solo for someone holding a balloon. On Tuesday we decided to teach it to everyone. I wanted to see how it would work if we combined it with the grid-walking and made it one of the 'options'. We decided to structure it as follows.. 'walk forwards, you may turn at 90 degrees, you may stop when you choose and for as long as you choose. There are 4 or 5 balloons which are passed around between people. When you receive a balloon you may continue walking, turning and stopping, or you may do a small bit of the balloon dance, pass the balloon on when next you come near to someone.' I really liked it to the Radiohead, but we also tried it with Chopin which was cool too. I think the highlight of the rehearsal was when we played KungFu Distruction. Fun games like that are so great to encourage a sense of community and lift everyones mood.
Steve and I have been chatting a lot about the work, it's so great to share the process with someone, and to build off of each others ideas. Tomorrow we will have some new cast members.. we thought some extra guys would be good to balance the gender ratio. We are a bit anxious bringing in performers halfway through the process, but perhaps this will charge the atmosphere with more uncertainty and spontaneity. We also need to work on transitions. I think the cake will help with this, also the clever lighting ideas we came up with late Thursday night.
For tomorrow I must remember to buy cake and balloons. We need to cut the music soon and also figure out how the jumping castle is going to work.