The aim of this blog is to provide a space for the development of the work to be influenced and shaped by all who come into contact with it.

The Saturday group

Had the first rehearsal with the new group today. It was so much fun!
We started off with some games to get us into good physical awareness with one another (Making a group decision to clap all at the same time. Passing a hand squeeze around the circle. Leading a partner with closed eyes around the room).
Then we started with the improvisation structure - grid walking, stopping, and talking 'options'.
This is the third group that I have explored these 'options' with, and I think that the clarity of my explanation and direction has improved.
Once we had explored those options a while I introduces a forth option - singing a song to someone. This was fun, and really funny too. At one stage we were all just laughing at each other. But I don't think that anyone thought that they were making a fool or themselves.. It's more like we could all associate with each other... like we were laughing at ourselves through the other one another.
I really enjoyed hearing the feedback from everyone on how they experienced the impro structure and 'options'. Everyone really engaged with the task, and when I did slip out from participating to watch, what I saw was most intriguing... poignant even.

Phase 3..

So, this is where my thoughts are at the moment with regards to developing the work for the October performance.
Following comments (verbal mostly) from colleagues and friends that it would be really great if I could work with a group of more mature adults, I have decided to begin rehearsals with a second group of more generationally diverse individuals.
I will still keep the structure of the work the same, and find ways to meld the material that develops from the new group with that of the original group.
I definitely want the new group to explore the same 'options' from the improvisation structure. I also think that it will be very interesting to notice the different kind of performance atmospheres that are generated by each group.
I plan to add in another popular song 'dance' bit...(minimal, recognizably social and pedestrian (like Celebrate) . I'm thinking either Whitney Huston/Elvis/Johnny Cash/Michael Jackson).
I've got some good ideas for more task-based movement duets (like the cake duet)
I'm still deciding weather or not to make the jumping castle into a separate section... (some say the balloons, dancing, walking and jumping castle are too much all at the same time.. others disagree and say it is great like that) maybe I should just move the jumping castle further upstage and clean up the traffic a bit... I do love the contrast of about 10 people talking loudly on a deflating jumping castle, while one person stands alone holding a bunch of balloons..