Dear Every Body,
There are no new stories.
5th century BCE, Athens. Plague kills 1/3 of the Athenian population. We get Oedipus the King with its references to a plague-besieged Thebes.
17th century, London. Plague kills tens of thousands. Theaters are shut down when weekly deaths exceed 30. We get King Lear, Macbeth.
During a time of physical distancing and social proximity I continue to cherish the community of makers I count as my friends and family. As I write this I am confident that one or many of you reading will make a thing that blows my mind in the months and years ahead. Because I do know the most interesting people.
Some of those people have enabled me to keep making during this time. Our production of Caryl Churchill’s Mad Forest was scheduled to open at Bard’s Fisher Center this past week. It has been rapid-response re-conceived for an online platform. We will be ready to stream it at you this coming Friday, April 10th at 7pm est via Vimeo, FB Live and YouTube Livestream.
Afsoon Pajoufar has re-conceived the scenic design, Abby Hoke-Brady the lighting and Ásta Bennie Hostetter the costumes. Paul Pinto has recomposed for heavy gate interruption. Dan Safer has re-choreographed for many small stages. Eamonn Farrell has created a video design that incorporates the realities of this platform with the aesthetic of the production. The company of actors have grown their performance imaginations to cast needs and actions beyond their isolated rooms to their scene partners thousands of miles and many time zones away. And Vanessa C. Hart has managed these stages without a physical stage! Today we begin tech rehearsal where we will be joined by technicians from all departments led by a production team who have adjusted to the circumstances with flexibility and ingenuity. All of this with an immense amount of heart, passion and rigorous craft.
We know many who are sick and some who won’t be with us in the months ahead. Reflecting on this, on my city and on the state of humanity causes me intense moments of grief these days. The financial devastation has caused me and will cause many others to think they won't be able to make anymore. This project is -- I hope -- one of the many testimonies to the power of a community of makers to keep making. Through this time and beyond.
With the deepest love, affection, respect, gratitude and enthusiasm for you all and your loved ones.
Sending health and a big virtual hug during these extraordinary times,
Ashley
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Mica Hastings -- "The Pupils Listen to the Lesson" from rehearsal of Mad Forest
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MAD FOREST
A Play from Romania
By Caryl Churchill
Directed by Ashley Tata
April 10
7 pm EST
Live Webcast
Pregame begins at 6:30 pm EST
Youtube Livestream: https://bit.ly/MadForestYT
Facebook Live: https://bit.ly/MadForestFB
Via Vimeo: https://fishercenter.bard.edu/events/spring-mainstage-2020/
Join the experience! We invite you to share your real-time feedback during the webcast via the chat/comment feature. We’ll pass along to the actors and creative team.
#UPSTREAMINGFC #MADFORESTFC
The live webcast of Mad Forest is a project of UPSTREAMING: the Fisher Center at Bard’s Virtual Stage
MAD FOREST
Romania.
December 25th, 1989.
A dictator is executed.
A totalitarian regime topples.
What happens next?
Caryl Churchill’s 1990 play depicts life during and after a repressive dictatorship. Reimagined as a digital presentation by a professional creative team and student performers, this 30-year old work approached from a 2020 point of view powerfully resonates with our current global state.
Scenic Design by Afsoon Pajoufar
Costume Design by Ásta Bennie Hostetter
Lighting Design by Abigail Hoke-Brady
Compositions and Sound Design by Paul Pinto
Movement Direction by Daniel Safer
Video Design by Eamonn Farrell
Production Stage Manager Vanessa C. Hart (Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association)
Featuring: Phil Carroll*, Andrew Omar Crisol*, Lily Goldman*, Tim Halvorsen*, Mica Hastings*, Azalea Hudson*, Ali Kane*, Gavin McKenzie*, Taty Rozetta*, Violet Savage*, Yibin (Bill) Wang*, and Charlie Wood*
Assistant Stage Managers Anisha Hosangady* and Maggie McFarland*
Assistant Directors Laila Perlman* and Angela Woodack*
*Bard Student
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Mad Forest Rehearsal of ACT II
TOP (from left): Lily Goldman, Yibin (Bill) Wang, Charlie Wood, Phil Carroll
MIDDLE (from left): Aalea Hudson, Andrew Omar Crisol, Taty Rozetta, Tim Halvorsen
BOTTOM (from left): Ali Kane, Mica Hastings, Violet Savage, Gavin McKenzie
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OVERCOATS ONLINE CONTENT AND TOUR
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I was working with the band Overcoats on their touring show which was supposed to start at SXSW and has been postponed until the fall. They're total badasses and their new album The Fight is really great.
https://www.overcoatsmusic.com
While the tour is postponed I've been working on developing their online content with them.
Follow on IG @ThisIsOvercoats
Check out some of the recent home-made videos and watch them at 8:30est on Friday nights via IG Live for #FridayNightFights
#JoinTheFight
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MAKE WITH ME
Andromache Chalfant, M. Sharkey and Babette Pendleton have offered
time and space
What else do we need?
In a few months I'll commence a rather generous residency period at
153 Coffey in Red Hook, BK.
I've been in touch with some of you about collaborations.
But if you've ever thought we should be
#makinathing
HMU
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