"The project idea is based on the long term cooperation of two experimental theatres: Poland's Centre for Theatre Practices 'Gardzienice' and Norway's 'Stella Polaris'. Both of them search for artistic inspiration in archaic and traditional cultures as well as in natural environment. For both cultural education in the field of arts is an important element. Thanks to that both centres play a significant role in creation and shaping the theatre milieu in their countries"
We headed to Poland at the beginning of October, where we packed 1 bus and 2 van full of equipment and travelled from Norway-Denmark-Germany-Poland. We arrived in Gardzienice which is just outside Lublin 2 days later. The programme for the month was to hold workshops with the students from the Gardzienice academy and perform two shows with them and then the final show would be from Stella Polaris to finish off the two month project.
As this is a collaboration project, Stella Polaris officially opened with a performance called 'Celebration of Life'. Followed by speeches then more entertainment in gallery of Gardzienice Theatre.
WORKSHOPS:
The workshops covered acrobatics, juggling, stilts, dancing, singing, stick-work and character work. I experienced all areas of this workshop as a participant as I am still learning with Stella Polaris.
PERFORMANCES:
DREAM OF SHAMAN- This a performance about Nordic mythology, the world of magical skills with shamans and priestesses. Transforming into different animals in order to heal themselves and others around them. This was a performance that i have been in before, working with the big masks. Here in Poland I played a norn, one of the priestesses. Here I sang, danced, performed with fire poi and fire sticks. This was a great experience for me, as I fully experienced the fast paced performance quality of Stella Polaris.
SHIP OF FOOLS- A story about a mysterious ship which sailed from harbour to harbour and collected the insane, the outcasts, those who didn't belong anywhere. This was a process in which I enjoyed very much, a lot of workshops in character work to find your inner fool. We worked intensively with our individual character training and working with characters out in the Forrest using acrobatics as a tool for development. This was a great experience to work with Polish performers, to experience working with other languages. This performance took place outdoors on various heights of scaffold to create the picture of a ship.
MAGIC EVENING- A show involving juggling, slackrope and Magic, flying acrobatics and fiery flamenco. The language of the performance is poetic, the music is intense, vibrant, winning. All is united by one, common goal: to keep the dream alive.
This was the final show of the project, and evening of entertainment, a show I thought i wasn't going to do, but a character called Hortensia was needed and I created her into a hard Scottish lassie!
These two shows and Gardzienice's Ifigenia and Metamorphosis where part of Cosmos. Gardzienice would play first on the Friday then a performance from Stella Polaris followed by a tarditional polish meal of Perogi. The Saturday included the same with a performance from Gardzienice then to a banquet meal of traditional Norwegian food in the palace with entertainment from Stella Polaris with 'Magic Evening'.
This Month was a great learning experience for me, both with learning and developing skills, technical work in building scenery and props. Working with European professionals in a workshop setting. Living and working alongside another renowed theatre and developing strong partnerships that I will hopefully work with in the future.
As this is a collaboration project, Stella Polaris officially opened with a performance called 'Celebration of Life'. Followed by speeches then more entertainment in gallery of Gardzienice Theatre.
WORKSHOPS:
The workshops covered acrobatics, juggling, stilts, dancing, singing, stick-work and character work. I experienced all areas of this workshop as a participant as I am still learning with Stella Polaris.
PERFORMANCES:
DREAM OF SHAMAN- This a performance about Nordic mythology, the world of magical skills with shamans and priestesses. Transforming into different animals in order to heal themselves and others around them. This was a performance that i have been in before, working with the big masks. Here in Poland I played a norn, one of the priestesses. Here I sang, danced, performed with fire poi and fire sticks. This was a great experience for me, as I fully experienced the fast paced performance quality of Stella Polaris.
SHIP OF FOOLS- A story about a mysterious ship which sailed from harbour to harbour and collected the insane, the outcasts, those who didn't belong anywhere. This was a process in which I enjoyed very much, a lot of workshops in character work to find your inner fool. We worked intensively with our individual character training and working with characters out in the Forrest using acrobatics as a tool for development. This was a great experience to work with Polish performers, to experience working with other languages. This performance took place outdoors on various heights of scaffold to create the picture of a ship.
MAGIC EVENING- A show involving juggling, slackrope and Magic, flying acrobatics and fiery flamenco. The language of the performance is poetic, the music is intense, vibrant, winning. All is united by one, common goal: to keep the dream alive.
This was the final show of the project, and evening of entertainment, a show I thought i wasn't going to do, but a character called Hortensia was needed and I created her into a hard Scottish lassie!
These two shows and Gardzienice's Ifigenia and Metamorphosis where part of Cosmos. Gardzienice would play first on the Friday then a performance from Stella Polaris followed by a tarditional polish meal of Perogi. The Saturday included the same with a performance from Gardzienice then to a banquet meal of traditional Norwegian food in the palace with entertainment from Stella Polaris with 'Magic Evening'.
This Month was a great learning experience for me, both with learning and developing skills, technical work in building scenery and props. Working with European professionals in a workshop setting. Living and working alongside another renowed theatre and developing strong partnerships that I will hopefully work with in the future.
