Wednesday, July 29, 2015

2nd Week - New Home!

Those who dream by day are cognizant of
many things which escape those who dream only by night.

-
Edgar Allen Poe

We've arrived at our new home for the week....Lakeside Little Theatre.  The kids are getting acquainted with the standards and practices of a real theatre, finding their way through the facility, learning to share time and space with other actors, and settling into a theatre environment.

Movement Exercises with Directora Abril


Our serpiente makes an appearance


Sergio leads the dancers through their paces


Timing and execution are key


Another rare appearance - Jeni Michi!

Lisbeth prepares for her entrance


Juice and cookie time on the patio  



Everyone enjoys the new space


And in closing, "What, me worry?"


Sunday, July 26, 2015

The Last Day of The First Week of Theatre Camp - "Michi, The Play"

The first week of Michi Theatre Camp has come and gone.  On Friday, we gathered all the troops: the Chorus, the Puppetters, the Musicians, the Danzantes and Volunteers.  We had been rehearsing all the parts seperately and brought all the parts of the obra together for the first time since this project's inception...and what a beautiful gathering it was!

Karuna Guiding The Worry Mask Workshop

With most of our Fish Hat props done, we moved onto each child making his/her own Worry Masks. The recycled materials and the kids were at the ready....set.....gone!

Here are a few of the masterpieces the kids created for the play.







A Patio Full of Fish Hats Drying In The Sun


 




Roberta Found One More Fish Hat Needing Attention...Thank the Goddess Michi for Roberta!

  
Props At The Ready

With the Worry Masks done and drying, we moved on to the musical section of the afternoon.

These pre-hispanic stone marimbas were a hit!

Our rehearsed drummers were every attentive. 


Maestro Antonio directs a song



They start 'em young in Ajijic.

The entire rehearsal day just flowed and soon it was time to head home.  As I usually do, I sauntered to the Plaza to see what was happening and found our Danzanates from Chiapas, preparing to perform.

Jaime & Sergio were joined by their sister, Brenda 


The directions were called.



 


 Jaime kicked things off with his amazing skills


Another magical moment presented to the people of Ajijic by the Danzantes of Chiapas.  We are so fortunate to have them working with us on the play.

The day before, we received our first images from Volunteer and Photographer Tom Dailey documenting the Puppeteer Workshop held at Lakeside Little Theatre.  Here is a sneak preview of the show.


 Directora Abril speaks with the Puppeteers prior to rehearsal






There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Theatre Camp Workshop # 2 & # 3 “La Leyenda de Michi Cihualli” Project

Our Theatre Camp Workshops continue...and as we round day 3, we are getting into the "swing of things".  Teachers are teaching, puppeteers are puppeteering, musicians are learning and playing as our dancers kick up a storm!

Fco. Teachin'

Fish are bigger than life!

LB creates a banana prop.

Details are important, and our kids concentrate beautifully.

Everyone enjoys the activities and camaraderie.

Space planning is an art.

The many layers of expertese and accomplishment are visible.



Parents also participate and are included in our daily activities.

Patricia prepares a snack.

Roberta expertly details our Gran Pez.

So much attention to detail.

And teachers keep teaching.

On day 3, we were greeted with this antennae-like object.

Our Gran Pez nears completion.

Lisa learns and teaches.

And everyone works.

Ah!  The object is identified and fitted.

Part of the final Michi Cihualli costume.

More detail.

And everyone continues to work.

Ivan's pez.

We were also visited by a wonderful storyteller and gifted with a cuento/story...

As the work continued.

La Gran Sandia is almost done!

And this is the end of our tale for the day.