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.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Theatre Camp Workshop # 1 “La Leyenda de Michi Cihualli” Project

The Mission of “La Leyenda de Michi” project is to build a creative community for young people, their families and volunteers, through raised awareness of the cultural history of Ajijic, an appreciation for the Lake and its environment and by supporting the growth of each individual as a valued steward of the community.

The foundation of this community will be built through the creation of children’s theatre with a shared sense of purpose, in an atmosphere that encourages the empowerment of each participant.


La misión del proyecto "La Leyenda de Michi" es construir una comunidad creativa para los jóvenes, sus familias y los voluntarios, a través de la elevacion de la conciencia historica cultural de Ajijic, la apreciacion y reconocimiento por el lago y su medio ambiente, así como apoyar el crecimiento de cada individuo como un guardian valioso de la comunidad.

La fundación de esta comunidad sera construida a través de la creación de programas teatrales para niños con un sentimiento de finalidad compartida, en un ambiente que fomenta la autonomía de cada participante.


Sharing A Laugh

Even though the Volunteers have been working diligently for months in preparation, yesterday was our first day of Theatre Camp...and the excitement was palpable.

We set up shop for our first week of camp at the Wilkes Center, Biblioteca Publica on Galeana.



We started with a round of introductions, explaing the etiology of the project, how it has progressed from oral tradition and legend to printed form and now into a theatrical realm.


Part of our preparation for working together was to form an agreement of Respect, Appreciation, Security, Responsibility and Cooperation...all based on Creativity and Fun.  Everyone signed the agreement via hand printings and signatures.

 Fotini's Colors


Everone handprinted 


And signed




And then the drawing began.  In preparation for this day, the Volunteers had created papel mache hats and props which were now ready to be designed and painted by the children.


One of the most prominent props was Karina and the Maestro Antonio's large fish.


 The place was abuzz with activity.


Fish Hats were distributed and sized appropriately for the heads.


Everyone received a prop to work on.


Karina working on El Gran Pez


Painting Details




After the children left for the day, the work continued.  Our diligent Production Staff met to discuss the production in detail.



And our costume mistresses sorted and prepared for the vestuario's distribution.


Roberta and El Maestro continued work on the stage props.


As the day wound down, we were left with a wonderful feeling of accomplishment, having planted a seed of cooperation in the fetile ground of excitement and hope.  See you tomorrow!





Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Ethnomusicologist

We started the afternoon yesterday with a visit to the Lakeside Little Theatre.  Scheduled were a production meeting, a meeting with Abril our lead puppeteer, and then a visit from our Danzantes to introduce the space where they will be performing.

Lakeside Little Theatre
Sn. Antonio Tlayacapan


Props and toys come in all sorts of packages.  Iker rehearsed our "abundance" scene through play.

Then it was time to head to the plaza for our first pre-hispanic drumming class taught by noted ethnomusiciologist Cristobal Duran.


Cristóbal Margarito Durán Moncada 


A little rain did not detour our efforts....it just delayed them a bit.


As naturally as the rain came and went, the students gathered and the class began.













Sergio y Jaime share a laugh

The drumming class melded into the dance class beautifully.



 Dancin' Shoes