• By: Virginia Broyles

Posted on October 21, 2014

vivMailchimpHeader

a blog posting for vîv.

by sam stone

The topic ­what it feels like to have your self-­produced show opening in two weeks. And

of course, we aren’t the only ones who have ever ventured to do such a thing. We all

know the intensity that pursues when you add up all that is a show. It’s everything that

goes on stage plus everything that goes on behind the stage, not to mention taking care

of our dear audiences, and then also ourselves… But a many people write about this, and

it’s not in my interest (and maybe not yours) to rant on and on about our to do list.

to do list trashed.

I’d like to talk about these women I am working with. These incredible beings ranging

from type A to type Z that do far more than you’ll ever know to support one another. We

do not log every hour spent making the production happen. We just do what we’ve got to

do. And all that is done (which I promise you exceeds the eight hour work day) translates

into a simple nod of the head. a check mark. a ‘no problem.’ Ahh. wait, let me be clear.

There is no need to pat us on the backs, no need to taking sympathy. Because, here

there is no ‘what have I been doing with my life?!’ backlash. We love what we do. We

know that rehearsals exercise our creative intelligence, performing offers us a chance to

share our art, and all of that administrative stuff? We just love it! no, I am completely lying.

but. maybe on a good day, we have the patience to see things falling into place.

Sometimes, I just write an email or a spreadsheet, and I feel like YES! big step Sam. way

to go.
The dance the dance the dance you say? We are a mother &@*&$ jungle! Snakes and

Bears and Dancers oh my. Animal themes are in the air, and at that, so is Illinois. Fun fact,

both our lovely Bianca Cabrera and Kathleen Hermesdorf hail from Northern Illinois.

vivbearmountain10710788_700440663374552_6508382103079015033_n

Free writing on Bianca Cabrera’s Bear Down.

It’s a heated piece. The movement is thick and full. Our relationships are like swampy

creatures sliding alongside one another. And sometimes the fog settles and there is

clarity, detail, character and humanity. I am really enjoying running through this one.

Sometimes a dance can build really well for a performer. It’s map makes perfect sense to

the speed of my breath, the stretch of my limbs. And can I just say, holy wow. The dancers

are honestly exquisite in this one. To love the talent and persona of those of whom you

dance with is such a treat. Pieces of this work were made for individuals, and watching it

you just know that that dancer owns it. I truly look forward to every time I have the

opportunity to interact with everyone, knowing that each run will be different. This is not a

5,6,7,8 dance. It is a dance for the intelligent dancer. The dancer who feels out timing as

it comes along. Bianca is giving us a beautiful gift and she has been highly considerate of

who we are individually and as a collective.

10517233_10101592554979181_2731254951598032361_o

Free writing on Kathleen Hermesdorf’s Ouroboros.

Oh mannn… today was the first day we slipped back into the piece after a long summer of

nada. Immediately I notice the vast difference in quality from Bianca’s movement. It’s a

looser fit, more room for joints to bounce, retract, carve or fly. This is the piece that

brought us together. And now! We are teaching it to Elizabeth Chitty who is stepping in to

bring new energy to the piece. That girl is smart! She has this thing practically down after

only two rehearsals. We rehearsed on a basketball court today so the feeling of it isn’t

back just yet. It’s funny how different you feel through shoes than through bare feet. And

this piece uses the ground in a big way. In the past I have felt a certain insanity

performing this piece. The kind of insanity edged on by those dancing around me. But

who knows what it will be now, especially paired with the amebic like Bear Down.

O. blog writing is kind of fun. I have many thoughts on everything we are doing. And no

one even gave me a proper topic for this one! So, if you have any questions or themes

that you want me to write on, I am intrigued, and may just accept your challenge.

 

Until then, we are vîv. Our show is October 24th and 25th and CounterPulse. all is

here: withviv.com

 

Share This!

More Good Stuff

  • Seth and Remy - Photo by Adam Paulson By Seth Eisen In 2006 after Remy Charlip had a stroke I was given the

  • As you may or may not know, today is Giving Tuesday. A day where we can repent with our dollar, and generate enough warm fuzzies

  • A colleague of mine, Katharine Hawthorne, came to our recent work-in-progress showing and asked me a few questions about the work. Below is our interview

Leave A Comment