Before ending this week-long conference, the participants were engaged in the final day’s theme of ‘Creating Our Environment’. Split into three groups, the participants devised response pieces based on their experiences throughout the week, culminating into a showcase for students and faculty members.
The participants were buzzing with excitement as the final day of the conference began. In the participants devised twenty minute responses to the conference and its theme. Harnessing the unique practices and backgrounds of each individual, the groups incorporated elements of their personal training as a base and drew from the week-long workshop experiences. Given the diversity of participants, a variety of devising processes were offered. The exploration of text, language, music and movement resulted in three pieces that discussed their take on the environment, man’s imprints and a hope for what the world could become.
During the post-show discussion, all three groups remarked that their performances involved improvisation. This was particularly heartening, as some of the participants shared their ability to overcome their fears around improvisational work in such a short span of time, accrediting the openness and warmth expressed by their fellow participants. This was likely attributed to the desire among the participants to openly listen and share with each other.
Through the process, we could all concur that the ties that bind us human and the environment is through the acts of listening, love and empathy.
