Seeing a Poet's Dance

As an actor and theatre maker, I often wonder if it's wrong that I hold poets, dancers, and musicians in higher esteem than many of my fellow thespians. I see their art as somewhat more profound, concise, holding greater depth. I suppose the word I'm looking for is sophisticated.

Poets worth their weight have a way of condensing their thoughts, emotions, and concepts into tiny packages with either too many meanings, or a profundity that strikes too hard a blow, for such few words. The same goes for a good dancer or choreographer. To think the only way some people can express themselves is through movement- to think one can say more than a two hour play. To understand   Louie Armstrong clearer when he plays his trumpet than when he sings- or feel Mahler's deep sorrow in his symphonies: these moments evoke my wonder and envy.

It's probably comes as no surprise then, that within the performing arts I see a spectrum.
On one end, we have the concrete: movies, prose, kitchen sink theatre.
On the other end are our poets, dancers, musicians. For lack of a better descriptor, I'll label this end 'Abstract'.

I'm not saying there is no place for the concrete- it serves it's purpose, and there are masterpieces which sit at that end.
Nor do I want to place the abstract on too high a pedestal: for I've seen too many artists commit author-suicide by way of empty words, movements, and sound.

But when I visit the theatre, I want to see actors dance and sing a poet's story. I want to see where the two ends of the spectrum meet. I don't want everything spelled out in ten foot letters. I want to see, to feel the truth in the movement of a limb, or the utterance of a few words- or simply in a gaze and sigh.

In Brisbane, we often label this as 'Physical Theatre'. Which saddens me. Most often because when I see a lot of our 'physical theatre', I see what equates to a musician's scales, a ballet dancer's barre work, a poet's hidden sketchpad exercises; combined with shock-rock-gimmicks of costume and makeup. Which may make an unsuspecting public squirm for a few moments- but gives nothing to those of us who can match their physical feats in rehearsal- and are used to seeing real goth aesthetic, not their safe faux-goth stereotypes.

Perhaps this is why I haven't been to see much theatre lately.
That, and methinks I need a second job....

I, The Sober Fool

My Beloved speaks profundities

     and pays dues not His own-

while I, the sober fool,

     stumble falsely drunk.

Though His wine warms my heart

     and sweetly stains my lips,

it is not potent in my veins-

     I am not subject to it's dance.

I drink too little, too less

     for the drunkard I claim to be.

--//--

Recently, I've been both intrigued and inspired by the likes of Rumi and Hafiz.

GRADUATED!

First Published: 13-07-2009

I am no longer a "Student Actor". I have now graduated to: "Student of Acting". Methinks, at times, these titles are simply my cover for "Unemployed bum who likes to pretend to be things he's not".

It wasn't till the 8th that I officially graduated - with a ceremony, a cloak, and everthing! It was exciting, memorable... but also such an anti-climax. Being finished for 2 weeks before the graduation does that. None-the-less, It's nice for that part of life to be over. It's a chapter closed, a sub-plot ended, a mini-quest complete.
... and now I look to the future; hoping, praying about where to go next. Further study? Agent? Some hard time in the studio?

I'm currently submitting applications for two festivals. Unfortunately niether are paid. Fortunately, both have an opportunity to boost my carreer. So here's praying for a God-given opportunity, eh?

Here's to the future!

---

In other news, I had some inspiration tonight: Song of Songs (or, Song of Solomon) as a "Dramatic Reading", while a semi-animated set of illustrations are projected in the background. I think I would have 3 weeks to prepare my church's Drama Team (and whomever is willing to illustrate).

Anybody think I have a fighting chance? (although all is possible through Christ Jesus)

Anybody actually reading this?

Godspeed,

-th3o.

MUSEings

First Published: 19-06-2009
[See: My Muse is a Fickle Creature]

“They are all of one mind, their hearts are set upon song and their spirit is free from care. He is happy whom the Muses love. For though a man has sorrow and grief in his soul, yet when the servant of the Muses sings, at once he forgets his dark thoughts and remembers not his troubles. Such is the holy gift of the Muses to men.” - Hesiod

My muse and I reached reason.
I gladly ate her fruit,
with amative glutt and nill return.
She softly made known:
affections aren't freely laid.
one must watch, listen, read, examine.
Only then will she sweetly whisper,
Aye; then will we love once more.

Godspeed,

-th3o.

Rainbow Connection

First Published: 13-04-2009

Why are there so many songs about rainbows,
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.

So we've been told and some choose to believe it,
I know they're wrong, wait and see
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
the lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it
Look what it's done so far.

What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing,
and what do you think we might see?
Someday, we'll find it, the rainbow connection
the lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its' spell, we know that it's probably magic.
Have you been half asleep,
and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.

Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it,
it's something that I'm 'sposed to be.

Someday we'll find it the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.
-Paul Williams

I love this song. I have loved it since I was a kid. However, I never knew it was so popular until recently. And it made me wonder why so many musical artists covered it.
Now, I can't speak for them... but when reading it, and listening to it over and over (in it's various incarnations), I have come to realise it's importance.

It could very well be about art, artists, and the world.
I urge you to listen to the song through this bias - I don't have the ability to pick apart my thoughts right now.
Godspeed,
-th3o

Happy Belated World Theatre Day

First Published: 29-03-2009

I know I'm a bit late... but it's the thought that counts, right?

--

Augusto Boal - Message 2009



All human societies are “spectacular*” in their daily life and produce “spectacles” at special moments. They are “spectacular” as a form of social organization and produce “spectacles” like the one you have come to see.

Even if one is unaware of it, human relationships are structured in a theatrical way. The use of space, body language, choice of words and voice modulation, the confrontation of ideas and passions, everything that we demonstrate on the stage, we live in our lives. We are theatre!

Weddings and funerals are “spectacles”, but so, also, are daily rituals so familiar that we are not conscious of this. Occasions of pomp and circumstance, but also the morning coffee, the exchanged good-mornings, timid love and storms of passion, a senate session or a diplomatic meeting - all is theatre.

One of the main functions of our art is to make people sensitive to the “spectacles” of daily life in which the actors are their own spectators, performances in which the stage and the stalls coincide. We are all artists. By doing theatre, we learn to see what is obvious but what we usually can’t see because we are only used to looking at it. What is familiar to us becomes unseen: doing theatre throws light on the stage of daily life.

Last September, we were surprised by a theatrical revelation: we, who thought that we were living in a safe world, despite wars, genocide, slaughter and torture which certainly exist, but far from us in remote and wild places. We, who were living in security with our money invested in some respectable bank or in some honest trader’s hands in the stock exchange were told that this money did not exist, that it was virtual, a fictitious invention by some economists who were not fictitious at all and neither reliable nor respectable. Everything was just bad theatre, a dark plot in which a few people won a lot and many people lost all. Some politicians from rich countries held secret meetings in which they found some magic solutions. And we, the victims of their decisions, have remained spectators in the last row of the balcony.

Twenty years ago, I staged Racine’s Phèdre in Rio de Janeiro. The stage setting was poor: cow skins on the ground, bamboos around. Before each presentation, I used to say to my actors: “The fiction we created day by day is over. When you cross those bamboos, none of you will have the right to lie. Theatre is the Hidden Truth”.

When we look beyond appearances, we see oppressors and oppressed people, in all societies, ethnic groups, genders, social classes and casts; we see an unfair and cruel world. We have to create another world because we know it is possible. But it is up to us to build this other world with our hands and by acting on the stage and in our own life.

Participate in the “spectacle” which is about to begin and once you are back home, with your friends act your own plays and look at what you were never able to see: that which is obvious. Theatre is not just an event; it is a way of life!

We are all actors: being a citizen is not living in society, it is changing it.

Augusto Boal

9th of December, 2008

First Published: 9-12-08

Originally written on: 9^th of December, 2008:

I was reading one of Hush and Such's posts, titled Inspirational Sufferage. I could have let this "moment of creative expression" pass me by, but getting ready for work is such a lame excuse - why work when I can blog - right?

I love how somebody can write about the need to fill a blank piece of paper, or fill the silence with nervous humming.

I've never thought of this before - but give me a blank piece of paper - even an exercise book with which I'm supposed to be taking notes - and it will eventually become a mess of doodles - some average, some horribly bad, some the best art I've ever created. Here is the thought: Could this be that my sub-consciously I too am "intolerant... of empty space and silence"?

As I've posted earlier, every moment, every second, every nano-second in this world is a new piece of art. I want to elaborate on this.

When I first thought this - I was thinking on one plane. If one could take a picture every nano second - one would find that microscopicly - everything has shifted place, somehow. Therefore, every nano second there is a new piece of art, and I believe God can see that - and a lot of what he could see he would enjoy.

However, as I sit down and write this; I realise that there are more than one form of art utilised in Creation. It is the ultimate piece of art - for in it lies: Landscape, Portraiture, Sculpture, Dance, Mime, Poetry, Prose, Song. If one were to look deeper - one can find different Genres: Abstract, minimalist, Naturalism, and arguably both Surrealism and Absurdism.

Within these Genre's, we can arguably find different techniques: Abstraction, Call and Response, perhaps even Metaphore and Similie.

I was going to go through each of these in detail - but this blog is already an essay. For now I'll leave it for you to draw your own conclusions (and perhaps leave comments?)

But I do want to put this thought out there:

What if everything you do is art? Be it dance, poetry, prose, or whatever else; what if every nano-second of your life you are unwillingly (or willingly) creating a piece of art?

Godspeed,

-th3o.

Interesting words from Rob Bell

First Published: 9-12-08

The following extract is from The Wittenburg Door. It is between them and Rob Bell. Enjoy.

DOOR: The Church hasn't always been kind to artists. Especially ones bringing electricity.

BELL: Our assumption is that Church is where you say the things that have to be said. So people will speak but say, "Oh, I wouldn't say that in church." Well then, where would you say it? To me, it's the place where you would push it the furthest. A faith community should be the place with the most honesty and vulnerability and prophetic culture—calling things what they are. So when I hear people say, "That's nice but you really couldn't do that in church," I can't even fathom that. My understanding is it would lead the culture in reality.
I talk about having the first word. This idea that Church waits to see what the culture is doing then produces a D grade version with some sort of clever Jesus twist to me is utter blasphemy. The DaVinci Code, for example. You wait for a C grade movie with stars with bad haircuts and then gear your church teachings around a movie that many people aren't even going to see? That seems absolutely anemic.

DOOR: Welcome to our world.

BELL: I don't believe in Christian art or music. The word Christian was originally a noun. A person, not an adjective. I believe in great art. If you are an artist, your job is to do great art and you don't need to tack on the word Christian. It's already great. God is the God of Creativity. Categories desecrate the art form. It's either great art or it isn't. Followers of Jesus should have the first word instead of coming late to the game with some poor quality spin-off. Let's talk about things before everyone else.

[http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/interview/rob-bell]

Enough said.

Godspeed,
-th3o

To be, or not to be? That is the cliche.

First Published: 07-11-08

I have reached an interesting point in my artistic journey.
Some days I wake up, and as I walk to the train, I feel like an artist. Something inside myself tells me that I have a future in the arts, and in the theatre.
Other days however, I wake up with nothing. I feel as though I should throw in the towel, find a regular job, and forget any notion of dreaming big.

But what would I do? I know of nothing but art.

There is art all around us, if we choose to look. Nature, buildings, vehicles, man - even our movements can be seen as a dance, or a ritual if we so choose to see it.
Every nano-second is a new piece of art. It's a new picture, with changed composition.
Please don't get me wrong - I'm not some spaced out hippy. This is how my sober, un-drugged brain views the world.

I know nothing but art.

So why do I wake, and feel I'm a wannabe?

I've reached an interesting point in my artistic journey.

To be, or not to be?
That is my question,
that is my prayer.

I'm afraid to find the answer.

Godspeed,
-th3o.

P.S. Future lover, could we please cross paths already. This game is no fun at all, and my patience is wearing thin.

My Muse is a fickle creature

First Published: 03-07-2008

I discovered something today:
There aren't any names with the meaning 'promiscuous'.

I was trying to find a name for my muse -
She dissapears for weeks on end, and
I suspect she's seeing someone else.

My Muse is a fickle creature.

--

Thus -
maybe I should listen to Mr Gide:

"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better."
- André Gide

Godspeed,
-Th3o.