| The RED Letter, Oct 2005 |
Table of Contents
1. Words from Lisa Pijuan-Nomura
I am back from a 6 week journey in Europe. I visited six countries and ten cities. I read eleven novels. My favourite book was The Amazing Adventures by Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. I think he is a genius storyteller. I was stung by sea urchins, jelly fish and was the survivor of about 50 mosquito bites due to an odd infestation of mosquitoes in Arles, France. In Italy, I met a one eyed black cat named Luigi. I sat with him for two hours as I watched the world go by. In Croatia I met a man who was part of a bicycle circus and watched many beautiful sunsets. I ate bramborak, tartinade, biscotti, pesto ligure, tapas, pfiff beer and pa amb tomaquet. I saw La Joconda also known as Mona Lisa. I saw the works of Chagall, Magritte and Da Vinci. I learnt about an amazing Czeck artist called Frantisek Skala who is brilliant. I walked more than I ever have in my many years of living in Toronto. And it was beautiful. And now, I am home. In our city rich with cultures and languages full of smells and sounds that you can’t hear anywhere else. The fall is my favourite time of year. It’s like going back to school. A time to reinvent all that you dream of. A time to begin again. I am already busy with the 3rd year anniversary of RED: A Night of Live Performance that will take place on November 8th and 9th at the lovely Lula Lounge. I am also pleased to announce that my one woman show She Said Saffron will be part of Hatch: Emerging Performance Projects at Harbourfront in March. It’s a lovely time of year. Take time to watch the leaves turn colour and enjoy the last of the warm weather before it becomes a bit chilly. I hope to see you soon. That would be most lovely! Warm Regards, Lisa Pijuan-Nomura P.S. Due to the unforeseen circumstances, there will not be a list of upcoming performances in this months list, however, if all goes well, I will mail one out by the end of the week! 2. Feature Show: The Lost SupperThe Lost Supper
presented by Shadowland
Theatre Tarragon Theatre Extra
Space, 30 Bridgman Ave. "Beautiful,
provocative, everything a puppet show should be" Directed by Mark
Cassidy Tickets: Preview/Sundays
PWYC Tarragon Theatre Box Office: 416 531 1827 A group of strangers has been invited to attend a dinner. The table is the one civilized place in an uncivilized world. Taste memories, childhood habits, etiquette and desire abound as the assembled guests tell their stories, but true glory is found in a simple meal shared. In a culture obsessed with food issues and eating habits, Shadowland uses its unique, visual theatre style to shine a light on the fundamentals of dining and the communal meal. For more information visit www.shadowlandtheatre.ca or call 416 203 0946 3. Feature Show: StupaTribal Crackling Wind’s STUPA
Choreography, music, text and costume design by Peter Chin DanceWorks, in association with Dancemakers Centre for Creation, is pleased to present the world premiere of Tribal Crackling Wind’s STUPA, a virtuosic, large-scale dance/music work for seven dancers, six musicians and one meditator that explores the concept of sacred space on many levels. With choreography, music, text and costume design by award-winning Renaissance man, Peter Chin, this exceptional work runs October 13-15 at 8pm at Harbourfront Centre Theatre. A stupa is a Buddhist monument in the form of a dome or bell-shaped building. The piece, inspired in part by Buddhist temple architecture and South East Asian theatre, conjures a world populated by wrathful demons and benign deities. Integrating dramatic full-body dance movement and precise facial choreography with vocalization techniques from many eastern cultures, STUPA explores the notion of sacred space in both the physical and metaphysical realms as well as the sanctity of the human body and spirit. Inspired by Chin’s years of work and research in south, east and south-east Asia, STUPA is evocative of Asian dramas where performers are equally skilled in voice and movement; but will have a decidedly contemporary flair as seven outstanding dance artists perform this riveting work: Piotr R. Biernat, Yves Candau, Susanna Hood, Mark Johnson, Hiroshi K. Miyamoto, Yvonne Ng and Carolyn Woods along with performance artist Katherine Duncanson who will meditate on stage throughout the piece, reflecting one of its major themes. STUPA is both a meditation on our inner and outer worlds as well as a journey through the metaphoric threshholds of our lives. The live music will be an intriguing blend of eastern and western instruments and scales, performed by Debashis Sinha and Mark Duggan (percussion and Javanese gamelan instruments), Kathleen Kajioka (violin), Scott Good (trombone), Peter Pavlovsky (bass) and Andrew Timar (Indonesian flutes and zithers). Chin’s other talented collaborators for STUPA are Guillaume Bernardi (Dramaturgy), Arun Srinivasan : (Lighting Design) and Janelle Rainville (Stage Management). 4. Hum’s 2nd Annual Online Auction!HUM's 2nd Annual Online Silent Auction is taking off! In order to give everyone the chance to bid on a pre-thanksgiving treat, we are extending the deadline to Friday, October 7th at 5pm. Time is running out, so don't miss your chance to bid! Please visit http://www.humprojects.org/auction/ to view the auction and place your bid. The auction has an amazing array of great gift ideas and ways to treat yourself this fall: yoga classes at Downward Dog; dance classes at 509 Dance Collective or Toronto Dance Theatre; dinner for two at Gamelle; artwork by Dennis Lin and Laura Wood , 3-month membership to the Miles Nadal JCC; pilates classes with Susan Sinclair; gift certificates for gourmet food from Lennie's, Alex on Yonge and more; a one-hour massage with Ted Thomas; a host of theatre, dance and music tickets; a photo portrait with John Reeves; and, many many more packages! By participating in the auction, you are not only treating yourself or a friend, you are giving invaluable support to HUM's very busy year of activities; our two main projects being a tour to Europe and the production of a new evening-length work this spring. I hope you'll take a moment to visit the auction site and make a generous bid in support of HUM's activities. We live in a fairly hectic world. Consider this an opportunity to fill it with some space, some inspiration, and some pleasure. I believe in the ripple effect of these kinds of actions.... treat yourself, treat a friend, spread the word and let a bit of joy unfold! Sincerely, 5. Classes, Workshops and ConferencesAN AUTUMN BOUFFON 3 one week workshops with Adam Lazarus These one week workshops are designed for students to discover their pleasure to play and to mock common social hypocrisies through “Jeu” - a French performance style encouraging performers to use their sense of play while onstage when approaching dramatic or commonplace situations. By building your skills in improvisation, instinct, song, dance, and most of all, audience awareness, your own method of satire will emerge for the world to see. This workshop is for professional and emerging artists interested in Bouffon, and artists who want to overcome performance inhibitions. Bouffon techniques are extremely useful for performers in all artistic disciplines, as well as for writers, public speakers, teachers and critical thinkers. Games and exercises are used to discover your own jeu in mocking social hypocrisies while simultaneously making audiences love you. Through Jeu, students will re-discover their mental and physical agility, sensitivity, stillness and complicity in a group. The Bouffon will allow the actor to be a big person in a small body and to refine their awareness of the world around them. Students are encouraged to embrace this awareness and the power of being seen and listened to. Historically and culturally, the Bouffon traveled in groups or gangs. They stuck together and sat on the outside, in their ghettos, their swamps, looking in at the mainstream world. They watched human hypocrisies and laughed. Every now and then, they came back to do a little play for the hypocrites. There was no subject, no person, nothing that was spared from their mockery. Some modern media Bouffons are The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, the folks at The Onion, the crew of South Park, the Yes Men and Gaulier trained Ali G. ABOUT THE CLASS: Week 1 - LEVEL I Date and Time: November 12th - 17th, Prerequisites: You do not need previous theatre experience. This class is open anyone, and also to all artists in all disciplines (dance/theatre/film/music/clown). Week 2 - LEVEL II Two open public showings at the end of week, Friday/Saturday nights, PWYC, with money going to the artists. Date and Time: November 19th - 24th. 6pm - 10pm. Prerequisites: Some experience in Bouffon, completion of Level 1, or permission from the instructors. WEEK 3 - LEVEL III **NEW WORKSHOP!** Two open public showings at the end of week, Saturday/Sunday nights, PWYC, with money going to the artists. Date and Time: November 27th to December 2nd, Prerequisites: Completion of Level I and II, or permission from the instructors. This course is designed for students who are currently working on their own material and want to refine it - Bouffons, characters, clowns, solos or duos all welcome. Location: Fees: Required deposit of $100 to hold a place refundable up to one week before the workshop. For registration and information contact: Acting and Movement Dojo with Thomas Morgan Jones dojo (pr. do-jo) a Japanese word meaning both school and path This five day intensive in-depth workshop focuses on the connection(s) between acting technique(s) and movement practice/theory. This inspiring, open, safe, and dedicated workshop environment is open to professional actors and actors currently in training. “Thom Jones is one of the most dynamic and innovative young
theatre professionals/teachers I know.
He is a deeply caring teacher, always compassionate yet firm÷with highly
impressive practical experience÷even at his young age has already worked with
some of the top professionals in this country÷he has a resourcefulness and a fearlessness
combined with immense creativity and understanding of physicality in theatre.” “Brilliant Instructor.
Inspiring, shrewd, lively, caring.” “Challenging, daring, and nurturing.” “Enlightening, profoundly helpful, encouraging, and real.” As a professional director, instructor, and playwright, Jones has worked across Canada and in Belfast, Ireland. Over the past five years he has coached hundreds of students across Canada in private tutorials and at institutions including The University of Guelph, The Charlottetown Festival, The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, The University of Guelph-Humber, and many more. As a martial artist, Jones has been training in several disciplines (including Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Kung-Fu) for nineteen years. WHERE: MBS Performing Arts Institute WHEN: November
1st-5th, 2005 (Tuesday-Saturday) COST: $250 CONTACT: 416.400.3589 Register by October 15th, 2005 a Voice/Movement
Class Series Susanna Hood is presenting a six-session series of classes to explore the integration of voice and movement. Based on her evolving creation process as well her studies with such teachers as Richard Armstrong, Fides Krucker, Katherine Duncanson, and Anne-Marie Hood, Susanna will draw on breathing and singing exercises, as well as improvisational games and scores to root the voice in the body, awaken the imagination and develop the body into an instrument for sound, word and movement. The class is open to all, performers and non-performers alike. The only pre-requisite is a desire and openness to explore. Where: Dancemakers'
small studio, When: Saturday mornings from October 22 - November 19 Susanna , a compelling and virtuosic performer in dance and music, began her career as a member of the Toronto Dance Theatre. Independently, she has collaborated with many Toronto artists including filmmaker Philip Barker, choreographers Rebecca Todd and Eryn Dace Trudell, and composers John Oswald and Nilan Perera. Susanna’s own choreography and music compositions have been seen throughout Toronto, nationally, and internationally. She is the Artistic Director of hum, an interdisciplinary performance company that focuses on work integrating movement, voice, and live music. Susanna has been teaching and coaching individuals and groups in voice and movement integration since 1999. SKETCH COMEDY
WORKSHOP With Neil Muscott — *** Runs for 8 weeks starting Wed Oct 26th 2005 *** Bad Dog Theatre,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Cost is $185. Register
now with Workshop Director Ralph MacLeod WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION NEIL MUSCOTT has been performing, writing, directing and producing comedy for over 20 years. His critically acclaimed shows include the famous Comedy Debate. As a producer Neil has worked with Colin Mochrie, Air Farce, Steve Smith, Sean Cullen, Sandra Shamus and many others. Learn more about Neil at www.neilmuscott.com BAD DOG THEATRE, formerly known as Theatresports Toronto, has been Toronto's Home of Improv Comedy for 20 years. The Bad Dog offers workshops in improv and other comedy topics and is a member of the Toronto Association of Acting Studios. Visit www.baddogtheatre.com to find out more. 6. Calls for SubmissionsRED: A Night of Live Performance is accepting submissions for their fourth season. We are looking for Please send: Deadline for submissions is November 15, 2005. No email submissions. Please send submissions
to: We are always interested in presenting new and innovative ideas. If you have any questions please contact Lisa at lisa@girlcancreate.com or call 416-591-0225 7. Books and Websites of InterestThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon 8. The 3rd Anniversary of RED: A Night of Live Performance.
Join us for two nights of RED on November 8th and 9th as we celebrate our 3rd year anniversary with some of our past performers. November 8th features choreography by Allison Rees-Cummings, Music by Claire Jenkins, Comedy by Elana Freeman as well as 40 Tiny Performances about BLUE. November 9th features Luscious Bellies, The Flapettes Lisa Pijuan-Nomura, Erin Shields, Aviva Chernick, Nicole Stamp, Chris Gibbs and many more. For more information please see www.girlcancreate.com for updates 9. Diplomatic ImmunitiesMammalian Diving
Reflex Diplomatic Immunities: Round One 7 PM, Sunday
October 9, 2005 Mammalian Diving Reflex's social acupuncture wing has generated a series of on-going events that induce interactions between strangers in public. The Talking Creature, Q&A, Home Tours and The Toronto Strategy Meetings bring people together in odd configurations, ask revealing questions and prove the generosity, abundance, wealth and power of the social sphere. Diplomatic Immunities continues this development by deploying a small squadron of talkers into the community to chat it up, check out the décor, eat some food, make some friends, then return to debrief. You're invited to the debriefings. Collaborators include: Faisal Anwar, Naomi Campbell, Ulysses Castellanos, Misha Glouberman, Darren O'Donnell, Rebecca Picherack, Tanya Pillay, Beatriz Pizano and Vicki Stroich. Diplomatic Immunities is being developed with the support of Alberta Theatre Projects, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and the Theatre Centre. Round Two: Sunday November 13, 2005 IDEAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE END OF THE WORLD Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street Box Office: 416 975 8555 www.mammalian.ca 10. Worth a Thousand Words featuring Photography by David Pijuan-Nomura
11. Bits of WisdomArt is not what you see, but what you make others see. (Edgar Degas) |
