Creative Labs
Creative Labs are a 3-7 day collaborative process for the development of a new show. I'll say that again, in a lab we conceptualize, develop and perform a fully developed show in less than a week. Participants, and sponsors, will learn the skills and techniques to replicate this creation process on their own so they can create their own shows in less than a week.
The ultimate purpose of these labs is to create a space for scientists, or content experts, to collaborate with performers and artists to tell the stories of our world and our times.
Testimonials
Shot backstage, Myra Krien from Sante Fe, NM shares her experience going through a creative lab in January 2018 to develop her show “Mother” that was remounted again on the big stage in June, 2018. She embodied the archetype of the "crone" in this show, hence the special makeup.
GAllery
The Method
Creative Labs are the process that results in performances. Both Oceans Stories and Becoming: Exploring Identity have emerged from the lab process.
Influenced by the product development methodology from Jake Knapp's book Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days creative labs will give participants the tools to conceptualize, prioritize and structure a narrative show. To my knowledge these creative labs are the first application of the Sprint methodology to the creation of theater.
The Sprint prototyping process is used along with tools from Dell'Arte International, DEL - Dance Education Laboratory, Village Playback Theatre, the PIT (Peoples Improv Theater) and Lecoq Technique (Movement Theater Studio), Third Rail Projects, Axis Dance Company, New Adventures and collaborations with companies such as Bellyqueen, PURE, Bellydance Superstars, Bellydance Evolution, Collage USA and Bella Gaia.
host a creative lab
If your museum, dance studio, troupe, or community want to build a show we can run a lab in your city. It's a process that you can replicate to build your own shows in the future which will save you time and money. Contact me if you're interested or simply have questions. I'd love to speak with you about the process.
What will participants learn?
The tools to build a theatrical dance production in only 3-4 days
How to save time and money in the creation of your own shows
A process to develop a complete show with a narrative arc from any idea
How to tell a story through choreography
The relationship between solo and collaborative creative development
The application of structured improvisation and how it connects to choreography
Improve your ability to work with others by learning to lead and follow
Develop your acting and theatrical skills
Learn how to cast your performers so their strengths are utilized
A problem solving process that can be applied to other aspects of your life
Expand your network of local and international artists
Other applications of the process
Lets get creative. How else can we push the limits of this process? I've applied the process to the creation of a highly polished group choreography in only 3 rehearsals and the final piece was featured at Alvin Ailey in New York City. Let me know your wildest ideas so we can make them happen.
Here are some ideas to get the wheels turning...
Creating a performance for a museum in collaboration between scientists and artists
Prepare a featured group and/or student piece for a hafla
Develop a new featured piece for a festival
Heck, let's develop a new festival
Create an engaging solo for self-promotion
Past Labs
On Nov 2017, Kaeshi Chai gathered 8 dancers from around the world to create a show about the ocean in just 3 days! The lab took place at the "Dragon's Egg" near Mystic, CT The "Sprint" prototyping process, normally used by businesses to roll out new products was applied for the first time in history to create a theatrical dance production.
2018, August 9-12: Ubud, Bali
2018, March 14-17: Holon near Tel Aviv, Israel
2018, January 19-21: Sante Fe, New Mexico, USA
2017, November 24-26: Mystic, Connecticut, USA