Irish Theatre Summit 2012

Well , I wasn't really planning on blogging again so soon after my escapades over the last 2 weeks.

However, this week I took part in a series of Acting Masterclasses as part of the Irish Theatre Summit 2012 and a friend convinced me to post about them. Also, judging by my timetable which is currently scarily empty for the next few months, this may be the most interesting thing I do for quite awhile...

The Irish Theatre Summit was set up by Players to give people the chance to take Masterclasses in either Acting, Directing, Writing or Tech. With some of the top industry practitioners invited to facilitate workshops, the whole experience was invaluable. It was also a fantastic opportunity to work with people from the older years who I hadn't had the chance to work with before.

Annie Ryan

Friday: Annie Ryan & Alison Bomber

Friday started with a workshop with Annie Ryan, Artistic Director of Corn Exchange. We started by doing an hour and 15 minutes of Yoga. While this may sound soothing and peaceful, it was relatively painful and made me realise what a failure I am at life...
The main thing I got from Annie Ryan's workshop was to push boundaries and not to always settle for my first instinct. According to Annie, our third instinct on stage is always the most interesting and is where the magic happens. Unfortunately, I had to leave the workshop an hour early. However, while I was there we did some exercises on making discoveries in the moment which activated the imagination. As brief as it was, doing a workshop with Annie Ryan was fantastic. As well as her knowledge and passion, it is inspiring to see a woman being so influential in Irish Theatre.

Alison Bomber

After lunch we had a workshop with Alison Bomber, senior voice and text coach from the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Royal Shakespeare Company!! If the Theatre Summit had been this workshop alone, I would have been there. I had never met someone before who was so overwhelmed and energized by language and sounds. It was really refreshing to witness someone who has a sincere passion for words. The main  focus of the workshop was to show  how one doesn't need to act when acting Shakespeare. The meaning is found within the sounds of the text. We focused a lot on punctuation in text, walking around the room and stopping with a full stop and changing direction with any other type of punctuation. The whole workshop was pretty mind-boggling and also extremely beneficial.
I did so well that Alison even invited me back over to the RSC with her to play Ophelia. I told her my schedule was pretty packed at the moment, but maybe another time...



Saturday: A day at the Lir

We began at 9:30 with a movement workshop with Sue Mythen, a teacher from the Lir Academy. Throughout the workshop we did a lot of work on the centre, exploring how it can affects our bodies, voice and how we interact with other. We explored moving in the space with our centre open, closed, up, down, forward or backwards. It was interesting to observe how it affected how we communicated with eachother.  We also worked creating a certain atmosphere in a room and then seeing how that atmosphere affects the people in the room. We finished with a group improv where each of us created a character who had just walked on to the Titanic...

After lunch we did a vocal workshop with Cathal Quinn. To begin with we did a lot of streching, incorporating the voice: Fiddly fingers, wriggly wrists, eager elbows, angular ankles etc. Throughout the workshops we did a lot of work on articulation, projection and breathing. We also worked on text from Burial at Thebes, by Séamus Heaney.

Acting class with Bryan Burroughs was a breath of fresh air. He started the class by telling us that he was going to push us in this workshop, instead of opting for the easy option which would be to play games for the entire session. I have to admit I was nervous when I heard this, but also relieved that we were really going to be challenged.

According to Bryan, all theatre is is PUSH and PULL. While I was initially unconvinced by this statement, as the workshop progressed, I knew exactly what he meant.
For a large portion of the workshop we simply played with gravity. It sounds simple, it is simple, but it is also incredibly intense. We did the exercise different ways:

1. Beginning lying down, being pulled towards the floor by gravity. Objective: Try to stand up.
2. Beginning standing up, being pulled towards the ceiling. Objective: Try to sit down.
3. Begin against the wall, being pulled towards the wall. Objective: Try to get away from the wall.
4. All of these together.

You can cheat, but you don't. Instead, you cause yourself stress and strain trying to drag yourself from the floor. Scenarios start to build in your head, and gradually you make yourself believe that you physically are being dragged down or up or backwards. All around the room there are pained sounds and heaving breaths. I found it extremely interesting to observe how such a simple concept can cause such a massive effect in the room. We transformed these individual processes into a group ensemble pieces, performing in groups of three and then receiving direction from Bryan.

Spending a day at the Lir was fantastic, offering all of us an opportunity to experience what it would be like to go to Drama School.



Sunday: A day with Louis Lovett

Today, Times Square watched us as we passed a ball around the room. They watched in amazement as we created spontaneous moments. They couldn't get over our talent. They applauded momentously. We were the best ball passers in the world!


I could continue discussing all of the games and exercises that Louis taught us today because they were wonderful and fun and energetic. Instead though, I'm going to talk about the fantastic advice he offered us throughout the course of the workshop, because for me, the advice he gave was invaluable.

1. It is crucial to be a team player. Be willing to be part of a team.
2. Love your audience.
3. Be READY. Always.
4. Raise the stakes for yourself. If you are practising in your bathroom, imagine that Times Square are watching you.
5. Be present. Imagine a giant light shining out from your chest, your face, your shoulder, your ass. Fill the space with your presence.
6. Check in with others.
7. Play seriously.



I immensely enjoyed the series of Masterclasses over the last few days. It was a fantastic opportunity that I am so glad I availed of. Huge recognition deserved to Players committee who organised the weekend.
I hope I will be privileged enough to work with some of the practitioners again sometime in the future.

Fin x

Day 13: Showtime and Goodbye time

So I can now officially say I have performed in Amsterdam. Even better, in an actual theatre this time!

After such an emotionally explosive week, I was very anxious about the result of the final performance. While my faith had grown considerably from the process of the Ommen performance, I was still unconvinced that what we had created was good enough to show a public audience in Amsterdam. 

When I stepped into the theatre, I began to feel nervous and excitement. This was a massive relief because during the Ommen performance, I felt nothing.

This experience was certainly not like one I had previously encountered. I learnt my lines on the bus on the way to the theatre, chose my costume an hour before the show and changed the delivery of my lines dozens of times that day before making a decision. 

No one was quite sure what they were doing or what was going to happen...

I continuously had to remind myself what we were dealing with:

30 people, all from different countries and different cultures, interested in different art forms and given 3 days to create a full performance. 

The more I thought about it, the more positive I became. Scattered around the dressing room was the most diverse group of people I had ever met, all focused, getting into costume, doing eachother's make-up ,rehearsing lines and practising dance moves. It was amazing.

The production itself was bizarre, like nothing I had seen or been involved in before. The more I saw of it, the more I enjoyed it. I won't lie and say it was the greatest piece of theatre ever created, but I think it was a good showcase and representation of us as a group and all the hard work people had done for the last 2 weeks. For that reason it was really special.

Then it was goodbye time. Most people cried because they couldn't bear to see me go. I just have that effect on people sometimes. It's kinda awkward...

As the saying goes: When in Rome. 

Well I say: When in Amsterdam. 

It would have been a real shame to have performed in Amsterdam but not to have seen any of the city or experienced the night-life. After a tiring two weeks, it was important to blow off some steam. And blow off steam we did...

Fin x

Day 12: RELIEF

BREAKTHROUGH!

Today started like the last 3 days have been. No one had any head space, everyone felt down and the atmosphere was negative and disheartened. It was like there was a weight on everyone that wouldn't shift. Despite some people's efforts, it didn't seem like this was going to shift...

Thankfully, the leaders finally listened to the advice given and locked a group of directors into a room to come up with a new structure for the performance, using and improving what we had already and also creating new stuff to give the production a clearer objective.

The directors changed the theme of the play to Interpretations. The introducing of the new theme create a shift of atmosphere in the room and soon  positivity began bubbling. Throughout the day there was a breath of fresh air about the place and for the first time in days, people were excited to create and perform.

We have just finished a run through of the new and improved piece. Early tomorrow morning we set off for Amsterdam!! Finally excited.

It's just hit me that tonight may be my last night in Olde Vechte. That terrifies me. I don't want to leave yet.

Fin x

Day 10 & Day 11: To lie or not to lie...

This post isn't going to be an easy one. My issue right now is whether to give an idealistic documentation of the last 2 days or to admit that they were complete hell.

1.My idealistic version goes something like this:

The last two days were fun, creative, inspiring and productive. Although tensions mounted at times, the atmosphere of comradery here in the Olde Vechte never faltered. Over the last 48 hours, the only faces here were happy faces.

 

Yesterday, it was an exciting experience to visit the space in which we would be performing:








(Although this unfortunately wasn't the space.)



Absolutely there was occasional moments of stress over the last few days but the most important thing was that people focused on communication and teamwork.With a few minor glitches along the way the group succeeded in creating a piece of art that we were all proud of. Roll on Amsterdam!!

2.My honest version goes something like this:

The last two days were stressful, frustrating, soul-destroying and exhausting. It's tough to create something with such a large, diverse group of people, in less then 2 days. With contrasting opinions, different visions and constant time restrictions, creating a full production including all the art forms was never going to be an easy task. The last two days proved that perhaps it is impossible.

It was a...surprising experience to visit the space in which we would be performing:

 (I really do wish I was joking...)

I believe that the last 48 hours may have slightly impacted the mental state of myself and the other members of the group:

It's disappointing to acknowledge the fact that something you created has a much lower standard then you had anticipated. I was unsure whether to admit the fact that our performance today was a complete mess but I've decided on the basis of honesty, and also fearing that a Youtube video may be leaked, I am going to be honest and admit that I was very disappointed. With a group of such talented people, who have succeeded in creating such fantastic works over the last 2 weeks, it was a shame that our final performance did not do us justice in any way.

I'm also admitting this because I am going to continue being optimistic and have faith in the group for the last 3 days. Tomorrow,we have a full day to improve or change the piece,before the performance in Amsterdam on Wednesday. I'm physically and emotionally tired, but I am willing to work hard in order to create something that I can be prouder of and that will give me some sort of feeling when I'm on stage. The quote "Fail better" comes to mind.

On a positive note, I would like to add that although the last 48 hours haven't been so fantastic, I got to meet Madonna's soul-mate which lifted my mood considerably. It would take hours to list the series of coincidences that connect these two human beings but I think that even the fact that both Meadhbh and Madonna like to wear hats says a lot:

I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, but one can only hope...

Fin x

Day 9: FML

Stressss. I'm going to keep this short and sweet because I think  the title is pretty self-explanatory.

Today was a Production Day, so we focused fully on our 20 pieces for the final performance.
We brainstormed ,planned, attended 2 production meetings, did voice-overs ,filmed, rehearsed and edited.

I'm worried. Two days to plan an entire production just doesn't seem like enough time for me. However, I'm willing to stay positive and keep working so hopefully everything will come together.


My favourite quote of the day was Andrew, the Director:
 "So what is happening is that we're suddenly performing in a church." Yeah, a church.


It's all part of the adventure I suppose, and who doesn't want to perform in a church!??



Tomorrow is going to be so much fun. I'm glad we're so on top of things....

#"@~??!--AGHH#~!?~!#

Fin x

Day 8: We're coming closer...

Today is February 17th.

On February 20th we will have our first performance. 

It's scary...

Today was another Workshop day. While I sincerely enjoyed the workshops, I couldn't help but feel on edge because I am now focusing largely on what we are actually going to put on stage in 3 days. Saying that, Jasmine's movement workshop made me aware of a lot of possibilities for the final production. She is also the coolest person ever and a dream to watch when she moves:

 

There is something really powerful about movement, both watching and taking part in it. When people let themselves really feel the music or the rhythm, they forget everything else around them and that's beautiful to watch. 

I also took part in a Documentary Theatre workshop with Eszter. During this workshop we broke into groups of 3 and for a certain amount of time one person asks questions, another answers and another writes down what the answerer says. The questions range from:

Do you like texting?       to      Have you ever felt like dying?


The aim of the exercise is to get Stories from people and turn them into theatre.


This evening we were put in our groups for the final performance. Relief Relief RELIEF. I am with:

 Lenka

 Ilias

 Oana

 Donara

Good group, good idea.  Tomorrow the ball starts rolling...

Fin x

Day 7: Workshops and Tensions...

Today we reached a new point in the programme. For the last 6 days, we've been in the Research process. Today, we began the Workshop process.

After hours of deliberation I decided to do:

•  "How to crack Hollywood", and I've already landed a film role, so that was useful.
• The Basics of Acting
• Movement Research with Random Collision Dance Company.
• Voice Workshop

The movement workshop was really inspiring. We were in a large open space, with the freedom to move and express ourselves without judgement. It was also intriguing to watch how people can communicate so much through their body. We also did a really interesting secret-sharing exercise in the "Hollywood" session that I will definitely use again.

Today, the fact that we're performing in Amsterdam in 6 days became a reality. We began questioning. 

 What's our Vision?                     How are we going to perform? 

How can we combine all the art forms?          What's our theme?

What's our concept?                                                                   What's going to happen?  

So these are our questions and our challenge for the next few days is to try and find collaborative answers to these questions. Tensions are high. Our job now is to use this energy in a productive way and create something amazing.

I want to produce something we can be proud of. It's not going to be easy but I hope and believe we can do it.

Fin x

Day 6: I think they're trying to kill me.

Today, I walked 25km. Yes,TWENTY FIVE km. The real theme of the day was Visions. I'm not too sure what else but I can safely say that I saw a vision of my blistered-covered feet by the end of the day!

At 12pm we were split into groups, given a map, a task, some high- vis jackets and a video camera. Our assignment was to reach our destination and make a video to our great, great grandchildren, telling them something form the training that we would like to share with them and what we would like to create with it. Before we were sent off on our merry way, Andrew asked, "What is your intention for the day?."
My reply was that I wanted to have an adventure. Lord, did I have an adventure...

It was a long day. Incredibly long day. We walked, pretty much non stop, for over 8 hours. In other circumstances, this would be hell. Although I couldn't move when I eventually arrived back at the Olde Vechte at 9 o'clock, it was a fantastic day. 

I got to explore the beautiful countryside:

When you spend 8 hours walking with the same people, you really get to know them. I'm glad that I had the experience and really got to know people on a deeper level then I had.

We eventually arrived at Marienberg:

 Celebrations!!!!!!!!

The adventure began on our return to the Olde Vechte. Myself, Donara and Oana thought it would be a fantastic idea to walk the 12.5km back home, instead of getting a train, because we're hardcore like that. 

3 foreign girls, walking in pitch darkness through woods for 3 and a half hours, sounds safe. To be honest, it was pretty terrifying! I couldn't help by thinking we were being the typical stereotype from a horror movie and that a figure was going to drag us into the woods at any moment.

We were supposed to arrive home at 7pm with our assignment done. We arrived home at 9pm without our assignment done. Productive! 

However, when we eventually trudged through the doors we were greeted like celebrities. The reality was that I think people were relieved that we were still alive...

So, today was another experience, another journey. Tomorrow is workshop days and I am excited!

Fin x

Day 6- Creativity

Happy Valentines Day! I hope everyone's day was as full with lovin' as mine. In the spirit of being romantic, we spent 20 minutes decorating the house.

Today we turned negatives in to positives. Complaints here are inescapable. People have opinions on everything and aren't afraid to share them. Today, our assignment was to choose 14 complaints as a group and think of a visual image for every complaint. Then we had 2 hours to create a video based on this. There was great variety in the videos and I was disappointed with myself that I hadn't challenged myself more with my own video. Anyway, live and learn.

As well as the group film assignment today we also had to do an individual performance in the evening for the whole group. The theme was Appreciation. Watching 30 other people performing really opened my eyes to the endless possibilities when creating . I learn something new here everyday and continue being amazed everything around me.

As you may be able to tell, today I am exhausted. I can't write anymore. 

Until tomorrow,

Fin x

Day 5- Intentions

Our intentions change all the time. My intention today was to write this blog earlier in the day but once again I'm here writing at half 3 in the morning. Other nights, it was because I was up for hours working. Tonight, I stayed up partying. Yes, I actually do have a life! Sometimes...

Mulled wine in tea cups and Romanian dancing, why don't I don't do this more often?

Every night we are given group assignments to fulfil for the following evening. It's intense and there are mixed opinions on the time restraints we are given. Putting all of that aside, today as I watched each of the performances, I got a feeling in my tummy telling me, "This is special." 

It excited me. The videos that were made were quirky, creative, powerful, evocative and touching. They made me believe in the potential of the group and our ability to create something fresh and inventive for our final performance.

It's wonderful to work outside my comfort zone. Not that I was thrown completely into the wilderness, but today for the first time in years I was given an art pack and told to create a piece of art in 20 minutes. We also had a feedback session where people tried to explain how they had created their piece and what they had got out from the experience. Many admitted it was like returning to their childhood. With motivation music playing throughout the creation process, it was no wonder that I created a masterpiece like this:

Success and Failure: Our task this evening was to create a presentation by asking people outside the Olde Vechte, "What is your biggest success in life?" and "What is your biggest failure in life?". 

These are two massive questions that I would find difficult answering myself. Therefore, I was pleasantly shocked and pleased when many unexpected people shared their answers with me over Facebook. I really did find it touching that people were willing to trust me and be open and honest about the questions, so sincerest thank you for that!

I think I laughed more today then I have for a long time. Hyperness can get the better of people when they are enclosed in such a confined environment. In the last session today we laughed and laughed throughout the entire thing. I still don't know what any of us were laughing at, but it was great!

I'm going to be a true theatre-wanker and leave you with one of the quotes hung on the wall here:

"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." 

 I hope this makes you question yourself, your purpose in life and the true question: What is life?!

(In case of any confusion, that was a joke. Well, most of it anyway..."

Fin x