Starlight Lab

Abstract:

An weekly lab to explore Spontaneous Mythology through the fusion of improvised dance, theater, and poetry. With influences from improv, butoh, contact improv, capoiera, and Laban we will explore non human characters, thematic narratives, and an aesthetic of epic surrealism. All this in a respectful, inquisitive and above all, playful space.

History:

In 2003, myself and co director Joshua Huertz started teaching improv classes at the Greenroom Theater in Ashland Oregon. With little experience ourselves we drew heavily from Kieth Johnstone's books and our own personal experience: Joshua's dark, literary theater, and my improvisational dance. We fumbled our way though trial and error but quickly found ourselves with a group of players ripe to perform. Following the Theatersports format we were soon performing before standing room only crowds. Although it was a format which is used all over the world, because we had never studied under any of the schools of improv, our own styles had created something different (we only learned that when we had visiting artists from Bay Area Theatersports visit), something of the physicality of my ensemble building experience and something of Joshua's theatricality.

Both of us knew that long form was the future for the work. And while continuing theatersports we picked the best of our performers for a long form lab. We worked with the harold for a while before i found Karen Hazenfield's book Acting on Impulse. With her work i found a great insight into my own physicality. And a way to bring my own bodily sense to fruition on stage. The work was hard but we eventually got good enough for several performances as Ink Drought Ensemble. Sadly several of the group felt the work was too difficult and wanted to focus on short form again. We complied, but i resigned a few months later, knowing i couldn't go back to the easy laughs and quick fix of short form.

But bits and pieces came out of Ink Drought's work that still inspire me. We played with a poetic sense. There were times of surreal mystery: not the “what the hell” sort but of the “ I don't get it but it was beautiful nonetheless” variety. There were moments of sublime contrast between the action on stage and the poetic dialog off stage. I have longed to be back in that play space. And I've though a lot about it since. I've wondered what i could do with improvisers who could dance just as well as respond from a visceral impetus.

Around the same time as Ink Drought i also started performing with a impromptu fire troupe, spinning and crowd wrangling. I wondered if i could combine the spectacle of circus arts and narrative of long form. The imps weaving guest performers, selected for their dramatic qualities, together with thematic and surreal narratives into a whole experience.
This is the ultimate impetus for Starlight Lab. Though i hazard not to think I might know what it will look like, or what paths we might end up on. For the process is and has always been the greatest reward for me, and performance simply a natural course: to share what we've found.

http://tribes.tribe.net/starlightlab