artfarmnews2232222 (www)

touring

Touring Performances

Home

About Us

WOMAN'S WILL

Woman's Will is a dynamic hour-long journey into the riches of Shakespeare's world through the eyes of some of his most fascinating women. This character driven collection is executed with textual accuracy and emotional depth by ARTFARM Ensemble Company members Marcella Trowbridge (ARTFARM Artistic Director) and Jackie Coleman (also of the Hartford Stage Company).

The piece, while containing some well-known passages, presents lesser known scenes and monologues from a dozen different plays in a journey which is at times playful, at times dark and heart-wrenching, but always challenging and entertaining.

CIRCUS FOR A FRAGILE PLANET

Circus for a Fragile Planet uses the magic, fun and artistry of circus to convey an environmental message that is both compelling and necessary. Built around key elements of the grades 6 through 10 core earth science curriculum, Circus for a Fragile Planet addresses critical issues such as global climate change, weather patterns, critical habitat, population growth, resource depletion and management, alternative energy sources, recycling, species sustainability and individual responsibility in a way that is accessible and upbeat. Filled with clowning, juggling, acrobatics, stilt-dancing, unicycling, slapstick and other circus skills and spectacle, the show accentuates the positive choices each individual or community can make to help build a better future for the planet.

SHAKESPEARE'S ARGUMENT

A fast-paced introduction to Shakespeare. Four comic contemporary characters argue about what makes Shakespeare timeless. The Professor insists that it is the language and the metrical structure; the Producer claims it is the theatricality-the costumes, swords and special effects; the Actor says it is simply the characters; and the Groundling- who represents the voice of the audience- is only interested if it is authentic and entertaining. The players use selections from As You Like It, Macbeth, Henry V, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Caesar, and the Tempest to illustrate their points.

IN THE THROES

The One Woman Show:
In the Throes is a groundbreaking performance for mature audiences tackling issues particularly important to women and adolescent girls including fear, abandonment, sexual abuse, and the unearthing of personal strength. In The Throes chronicles the life of one woman from childhood to motherhood through text, choreography and song.
The Residency:
3-5 days of workshops culling and developing material from students' own life perspectives (including historical and literary resources). The group will select a theme and transfer this material onto the stage.

safe structured environment
writing
psycho-physical work
breath and body work
development of emotional accessibility
individual and ensemble
improvisation
effective stage presentation

COMMEDIA AMERICANA

The One Man Show:
Introduces the history, style and characters of traditional Italian Commedia dell' Arte and provides a basic contemporary context.

The Residency:
A 3-5 day residency which extracts the archetypes from the characters of 16th century Commedia dell' Arte and finds their modern manifestations. T he process first introduces the characters and comic style of traditional Commedia, then allows the students to re-interpret the stock characters, creating their own 'Commedia Americana'.
*Both Residencies can culminate in a shared presentation

_______________________