All this week LA Stage will present coverage of Directors Lab West 2010 with reports from DLW Steering Committee Associate Producer Cindy Marie Jenkins, Production Coordinator Rachel Jenkins and DLW intern Doug Oliphant. Each year the Lab chooses a theme around which all their sessions are based and a play around which many group workshops are organized. For 2010 the theme is “Balance” and the play Measure for Measure. Click here to view all DLW 2010 updates.
Cindy Marie Jenkins
Sunday, Sept. 5
THROWN OFF BALANCE
Workshop: Edgar Landa (DLW ’01)
Moderator: Jess Bard
By Cindy Marie Jenkins
“..but a more interesting storytelling idea….”
–Edgar Landa on specifics in fight choreography
Elizabeth Zerebko and Edgar Landa
Fight choreography as physical lines of dialogue: Landa’s approach was a great way to warm up this morning, both the body and the physical mind. He punched/slapped his way through intention, quality of sound, rhythm, always ending with a practical work-through of the techniques demonstrated. You can’t talk fight choreography in Los Angeles without mentioning Edgar Landa and after seeing him in action, it’s easy to see why. He always brought it back to the directors in the room, not only their technique but their emotion. The last exercise involved one Labbie directing a scene that required both of their directors/momentary actors to integrate form, safety, intention, sound and anything else they could into a scene with one line of dialogue apiece. The presentations ranged from heartbreaking to hilarious but all had one element in common: intrigue.
BALANCING INSPIRATION
Discussion: O-Lan Jones
Moderator: Kristi Schultz (DLW ’09)
by Cindy Marie Jenkins
“You follow your own muse.” — O-Lan Jones
O-Lan Jones and Kristi Schultz
O-Lan Jones describes her process of directing Songs and Dances of Imaginary Lands as acting as the “Mother-ship,” absorbing all of the creative energies assembled. Hearing about her seven-year process which culminated in July in a spacious auto dealership, complete with audience transport via trains so “the spell won’t be broken,” recycled materials in set and costume pieces, dancers described as “emotional wormholes” and the dream to revive empty buildings across the country for remounts; one can’t help but be swept up in O-Lan’s energy and passion. Describing her balance of fundraising and the creative, O-Lan perked up all the directors in the room while explaining: “Unless they’re inspired, no one’s going to give you any money for it.” After seeing the production stills and listening to her process, it’s no wonder O-Lan raised upwards of $200,000 to mount these new mythologies in created lands.
Doug Oliphant
GRACIE AND ROSE
Performance and Discussion: Anastasia Coon
Director/dramaturge Che’Rae Adams DLW ’00
Moderator: Ernest Figueroa
by Doug Oliphant
“The talk-backs would basically just turn into Lesbianism 101.”
–Anastasia Coon on audience response in Austin, TX
Dell ‘Arte International School of Physical Theatre graduate Anastasia Coon began her workshop by performing a section of her one-woman show Gracie and Rose, still currently in development. The piece explored lesbianism and the relationship between two women working on a farm and significant experiences from their childhood. Discussion on her working relationship with Che’Rae as a mentor for her process followed before Anastasia got the group up on their feet and began the oh-so-familiar theatre exercise of simply walking around and exploring the space. Adding in other parameters and demands, things began to get tougher, especially when wooden dowels were added and partners had to maintain eye contact while balancing the sticks connected to their chin, forehead, arm, belly, etc. When sticks would fall to the ground, Anastasia proclaimed this was a good thing as we were taking risks! Though I get the suspicion she may have just been saying that to be nice…
VIVA ELVIS!
Discussion: Vincent Paterson
Moderator: Che’Rae Adams (DLW Alum ’00)
by Rachel Jenkins
“You were hired for a reason. You did something right in the past”
– Vincent Paterson
Renowned Choreographer/Director Vincent Paterson takes us step by step through his three- year process of writing, creating and directing the newest sensational Cirque du Soleil show VIVA ELVIS! Following the offer to write and direct he took the time to decide if this was a job, a show, an experience where he could find balance. But, he had promised himself, “I would only take jobs that frighten and challenge me,” and the offer to create this show did both. A self-proclaimed Beatles man, he described his research process into Elvis. Hundreds of hours devoted to watching his movies, listening to his music, taking the wonderful opportunity to meet with his living friends and family and much more – “always afraid I won’t have enough information.” He went on to discuss his process developing a story that could be merged with and enhanced by the Cirque spectacle without losing the heart he strove to find in all of his creations, as well as what it took to re-imagine and remain true to the iconography that surrounds the legacy of Elvis. In his closing thoughts, he shared his final moments and conflicted feelings with the project where after three years of non-stop work he, the director and writer, handed over his creation to producers to be tweaked and ultimately managed for what is anticipated to be a 10 year run in Las Vegas.
Directors Lab West is a unique forum which brings Theater Directors together with peers and seasoned professionals for an opportunity to collaborate and grow together as artists. Directors Lab West is modeled after the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab in New York City. Like its NY counterpart, the Lab is a series of discussions, working sessions, panels and symposia with some of the nation’s and region’s leading directors, playwrights, designers and other theatre practitioners. DirectorsLabWest.com
