Introducing the Evolving Play Project

THE EVOLVING PLAY PROJECT- is a multi-disciplinary theatre project involving professional and emerging artists and members of the homeless community.
A group of artists will take up an “artist residency” within the Mustard Seed Street Ministry for six weeks in April and May 2010. The goal of the residency is to create a collaborative theatre piece with members of the homeless community, led by a group of mentoring artists. The project will include theatre, dance/movement, visual design, sound, and video.

The project will be a co-production between the PBC Art Collective and Verb Theatre, with the support of community partners (The Mustard Seed Street Ministry, The City of Calgary Arts and Culture, Downstage Theatre, and All Nations Theatre).


Project Benefits:

The work initiated by Aviva Zimmerman as drama facilitator at the Mustard Seed Street Ministry has created a unique energy and eagerness for more drama projects by members of the homeless community. With the conclusion of This is My City, it would be a shame if this energy and momentum were lost. The project will also expose and encourage a new group of artists to engage with a marginalized group in their community, and recognize the unique opportunities and rewards of this work.
For the members of the homeless community involved, the process of participating in a theatrical project contributes to the development of various skills, such as communication, problem solving, public speaking, teambuilding, organization, commitment, responsibility, and creative expression. This project also recognizes there is a creative spirit within persons experiencing homelessness, and that creativity can offer hope and meaning when an individual is experiencing dire life circumstances.


Project Details:

Over a six week period in April and May 2010 a group of multi-disciplinary artists (including a video artist, a dancer/choreographer, a sound designer, and a number of theatre artists) will work at the Mustard Seed Shelter conducting art workshops and rehearsals in order to create a 50 minute theatrical production. Shelter residents will have the opportunity to contribute to the various elements of production of the Evolving Play Project – acting, scene and props building, sound and video design, and promotion, etc, alongside the artists. Our team of volunteers at the Development Studies Club will be assisting with the rehearsals, art workshops, and food distribution at the Mustard Seed in support of this project. The work will culminate in 4 public performances – two performances at the Mustard Seed Downtown location and two performances at the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts.


Project Support:

Our use of space at the Mustard Seed shelter, along with food and staff support for the project participants, have been confirmed by Simone Fernandes, Arts and Recreation Coordinator at the Mustard Seed. Additionally, Downstage Theatre has donated the MOTEL performance space at the EPCOR Centre for the Arts in support of the project. Verb Theatre and The PBC Art Collective are also contributing to and benefiting from a fundraiser held on February 13 by Beyond Closed Doors Theatre, which also provided some proceeds to the Evolving Play project.

Lastly, the Development Studies Club is actively seeking out other small funding opportunities in order to contribute to the project. Among these initiatives, we are holding a screening of the film "Home Safe Calgary" on April 8th, to explore the issues surrounding homelessness in our city - more details to come!

Hello!

Hello everyone!

This will be a beautiful start to our Evolving Play Project! Let the blogging begin!