Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's to the FEZ we go..!

We make our way to the FEZ-Berlin through the woods for a 9:30 a.m. start, uniformly wearing our Fleischberg T-shirts, to launch the second day of the "Just say it!" Festival with our second of six 30 minute programs for the Opening Ceremonies. This includes some improv, sometimes calling on volunteers from the audience; some singing; and Holly "Hall Monitor" Winter and Ali "Alcatraz" Richardson stealing the show with their U-Bahn rap.

Eric worked all day Wednesday with the Academy on What the Tide Brought In, their hour-long original creation, delving deeply into character, intention and subtext, building on the work they had done with Annie in the Dachboden-loft.

Annie and Kim design lights for the show after a brief introduction to the board by one of the FEZ technicians, Dirk. Annie builds the cues, as Kim develops the design, enjoying the technical/creative side of things. Thursday: the Academy rehearses more in the afternoon. All work, all play...
... with necessary food breaks: Schnitzel, Wurst, Pommes and particularly flaccid noodles.

Today (after leading another Opening Ceremony), Eric's first scheduled workshop, Mythology and Theatre,
was canceled because the teacher whose class was to attend was ill. The Academy remained at the FEZ for a Cue to Cue and Tech Dress with Eric, Kim and Annie.

Tonight we will be running our Café material, creating a priority list, preparing for tomorrow's performance at the museum FLUXUS + in Potsdam, south-west of Berlin, several hours flight time removed from our Halifax Café cast who performed this Thursday... how'd it go, guys?

Leftovers and New Dishes

Monday - Kim runs over town turning off forgotten heaters at the Cold Place; getting a 40€ fine because the U-Bahn pass expires at 3 am, not actually a full 7 days from the time of validation; getting per diems from the bank and new passes for all.

Garry, Eric, Ann and Kim shuttle off to Potsdam, southwest of Berlin to the museum FLUXUS for a pre-Cafe meeting with Herr Limann and a peek at the performance spaces. Dinner on the lake with Ann before returning.

The Academy writes, reorganizes and presents their show to Annie who works with them through the afternoon and is impressed. When they are joined post-dinner by Garry and Kim, the atmosphere is relaxed, satisfied and enthusiastic about the work of the day.

Much chat, perusing of TIP the events calendar - Brecht plays being performed at the Berliner Ensemble!!! - our own entry for Apocalypse one below (in good company), flashy displays of bruising and battle wounds for pictorial documentation and then public displays of affection.

We had much fun.


Bumps and bruises. Someone tell Rhys!

Closing

Sunday - We said good-bye to TFK, Four Actors and Apocalypse tonight. Experience proves once again that the ensemble that works together consistently and intensively day-to-day, works together consistently and intensively on stage. Wishing for another go at the shows in Halifax... especially with added bits of Apocalypse and the new energy in Four Actors.

Ann has many photos of the shows and Garry remarked how undeniably idetifiable Four Actors is. The poses, the staging, the costuming... clearly it is that show.

Huge thank yous to Holly, Ali, Sophie and Aaron for working with us tirelessly over the run.

Earlier in the day, the Academy worked independently in the "Cold Place," then lugged belongings back to Kreuzberg. Late afternoon rehearsal plans were scrapped when our space at TFK was usurped - these things happen, and continue to happen and I celebrate everyone's demonstrated flexibility each time.

We ended up going for a late lunch/early dinner and had a very relaxed, enjoyable time at a Spanish restaurant. Great food, great conversation... lasted hours and when we did finally make a move to leave, the manager gave us after-dinner liqueurs and espressos and plates of fruit drizzled with chocolate. On the house. I had no idea why an establishment would do such a thing, but Garry said perhaps it was because we lingered and enjoyed our meal and our company.

One week in...

Yesterday (Saturday, Feb 21), after the Academy dropped their things off at the now-nicknamed "Cold Flat," found a cafe in the Neukolin district that cooked eggs, went on a spree at the 1€ store - 10 pairs of socks for Sophie who has 'run out' - Garry and I took them on their first visit to the FEZ-Berlin.

The complex is a hot-spot of continual programming for children, youth and families and is located in far east Berlin, in the former communist territory. It was built in the sixties to cater to those children who showed an aptitude for the arts. Hearing Garry speak of the Soviet approach to cultivating and training young citizens according to talents recognized in their youth, it sounded somewhat Utopian. In the Soviet society, a child who could sing or draw or act was as valuable and nurtured as much as a child who could solve math problems or was interested in science.

Of course, once you were in the proscribed track, that was it and when you grew into your career your sole purpose was to serve the State. So... artistry could be, and indeed was, censored and dicated by the State. DaPoPo could never have done a piece such as "Four Actors" which is, at times, critical of our history and politics. But I digress...

The U-Bahn drops you at the edge of the wooded area on which the FEZ is located. It is a lovely walk through a forested path, though I heard some comments along the lines of "This is really far!" and the scuff of tired sneakered feet dragging through the snow. This exhaustion was apparently forgotten when we encountered the extensive play areas with unusual equipment like geohex jungle gyms, a t-bar zip-line, whilrling disks, swings... this led to one of my favorite things: the musical arbor, a structure constructed of twisted branches into a peak, with open arches and a magical centre space. Sophie said it felt a little 'Blair Witch' but then they all found the zylophonic tiles in the middle and jumping together made some tinkling music.

Outside the main building a necessary stop at the crepe stand... käse und schinkel for most, Ali enjoying käse, tomaten und kräutersalz. And yes, we know what that means. Delicious.

Inside, we encountered an Arabian Nights themeland with hundreds of small costumed children enjoying various activites such as cooking Middle Eastern treats, learning to belly dance, listening to music, watching stage shows, face painting and more. Ali signed the guestbook on behalf of DaPoPo, and we had a bit of a wait while our room for rehearsal was sorted out.

A few hours later, and a newly revised and more vigorous work schedule leading up to the festival, we went back to Kreuzberg for refueling at the now-favored vegetarian restaurant Cafe V, where a German singer entertained with strangely rearranged popular American music sung in English.
Then it was off to TFK for the second night of performances. Four Actors was very enjoyable for us tonight. We finally found the necessary openness to discovery in the moments where it is demanded, and new things were indeed discovered. In the audience, Chris (of airport pick-up and chauffering fame) and his wife Alison, Ann again and a gaggle of Garry's friends from BGT days. Much buzz about the up-coming Cafe DaPoPo in Potsdam!

Snow showers

Saturday morning. We've had a very busy week with rehearsals, settling into spaces - theatrical and otherwise, neighborhoods becoming familiar, eating on the go and going going going. Good sleeps but full and late days.

The Academy has worked on their piece, we've had one Cafe rehearsal and the remainder of the time has been spent getting Four Actors and Apocalypse in front of an audience. Holly and Sophie learned the lighting board from Willy at the Theaterforum Kreuzberg and designed and set the cues for both shows, largely based on what could be done without a significant rehang/refocus. Ali stepped in as stage management, with assistance from Aaron. They are all so good-humored and willing to just... do! Such a pleasure to have them working with us.
Eric's friends from Halifax, Max and Molly, who have been in Germany for several months arrived for a visit and saw technical runs and offered feedback. Holly's friend Neta came in from Copenhagen for opening night (yes, Uncommon Grounds Neta!) . Neta said it was weird to walk into a theatre in Berlin and see Halifax faces... like being on Argyle Street.

Today, the group is scattered all over Berlin. Some with Ann, Annie with her friend Sussanne somewhere, myself at Flo's, the Academy relocated temporarily for the weekend at Jen's empty apartment... and also getting their first look at the FEZ later today when we go there for a rehearsal.

Two more performance nights at TFK and the focus will re-shift to the Academy show and preparation for the Just Say It Festival. It will be strange and difficult to let Four Actors and Apocalypse go...

Day One & Two in Flashbacks

Eric, Garry, Kim, Annie, Holly, Aaron, Ali, Sophie: Pre cross-Atlantic trek

This will be a brief, pictorial catch-up for the past few days, which includes:
Fresh-faced, eager and mildly freaked out with anticipation at the Halifax airport because our flight to Montreal kept getting delayed. But in the end, we went with plenty of time to catch the Montreal to Frankfurt flight...
Which was relatively painless, with personal movie screens and two *ahem* meals...
Which led to Frankfurt where things got slightly less glamorous as our final one-hour flight dangled so tantalizingly close, yet kept getting inexplicably delayed... and delayed... and delayed. Crash and burn for most of us. Holly, Sophie & Ali caught up on journals and scrapbooks, there was some sort of food from some random kiosk and much somnolence!
...Finally three hours late, we got on the plane and were SO grateful to be met at the Berlin airport by Garry's friends Chris and Til who chauffered us, and our considerable amount of baggage, around and around and around to Garr's mum's flat, to the loft and to Flo's and back to the loft where Garry and I picked up the Academy plus Annie for the first U-Bahn trek...
... whereupon the self-serve ticket kiosk refused to accept my credit cards in payment and I had to borrow back some Euros from previously distributed per diems to get the tickets. bah!
BUT when we arrived back at Ann's, there was cheese and bread and yummy rice and baked chicken dinner and ice cream and a final acknowledgement that we had indeed arrived... albeit a little baked ourselves.
Flo saved the day on the return U-Bahn trip by getting our week-long passes on his debit card (he has beeb repaid, god love 'im) and the three groups in their various accommodations settled in for some much delayed rest!

Tuesday morgen... I did necessary things like banking and buying a cell phone for Academy to have on hand for local connectedness/emergency contact... the lofters had a long sleep in. The eight of us convened at the loft for a reconnaissance mission of the neighborhood. Simply walking along the street turning right from the loft's building front, we discovered grocery stores, bakeries, internet cafes, döner shops, other restaurants and cafes, odds and ends stores, photocopy places... the highlights: first döner experience for the Academy... two thumbs up all around... and a stop in at Theaterforum Kreuzberg where everyone had a chance to view the space where "Four Actors" and "Apocalypse" will be staged in a few nights.

A call from the Embassy. Gabrielle will not be able to meet Garry tomorrow as planned after all, but they are coming to see the showson Friday night. Whee!

Grocery shopping for the lofties, followed by a rehearsal for the Potsdam cafe and a deliecious pasta dinner whipped up by Holly, Garry and Eric. I think a few other helpers here and there but the kitchen is tiny so practically speaking, three at a time.

And now... sleep. Work tomorrow for both groups on their respective shows. The old four have to rethink staging for the new space, converting from a thrust stage to proscenium arch plus a plethora of lighting options... Academy to determine the ending and smooth out transitions for their show. Good work, good times.... alles is gut.

Flight Day

I'm lying in bed, the possibilities of today are exciting. Today we fly. today we have wings. 

I have been meaning to blog since monday but  the packing and seeing friends before I leave have gotten in  the way. as we prepare, beatrice starts to solidify for me. Everyday she seems more real, more three dimensional. Last night I saw Zuppa's Poor Boy, currently playing at the Neptune Theatre. It gave me a sense of what collective creation can do, I feel very inspired and I'm excited to get to work in our Lofty loft in Berlin. 

Food, last minute packing, flights.

Today is going to be a good day.

The (Real) Berlin Project

20.2., 21.02. and 22.02.

four actors in search of a nation/

apocalypse 2009

Theaterforum Kreuzberg (tfk)

Eisenbahnstr. 21

20 Uhr

26.02., 27.02, 3.03 - 5.03.

the canada project

FEZ-Berlin

An der Wuhlheide 197

9:30-13:00 Uhr

28.02.

café dapopo

museum FLUXUS+

Schiffbauergasse 4f, Potsdam

ab 19 Uhr

Today was the last Academy creation day in the space at Kempt Road. Phlis McGregor from CBC Radio came along to interview Holly, Aaron, Ali & Sophie and record some of their rehearsal. The interview will probably air some time next week, so have a listen!

The T-shirts Sophie designed were distributed. Thank you to Sarah and Kirk at Advanced Screen Printing on Strawberry Hill for working with us and producing some awesome shirts!

Tomorrow... we fly. Today, we pack.

Can I put the fog in my carry-on?

Today was the world's most unexpected, well-timed snow day.

I took advantage of the day off and organized my packing. There's a satisfaction that comes with condensing your life into a purple suitcase. Looking around my room, I wonder why I have anything else.

I dreamt of converting European prices last night. Take the price; add half of it plus a few more dollars...
As I upload some choice cd's onto my iPod for the trip, I have a faint realization that the music I choose will become inextricably linked with Berlin in my mind.

To rewind for a moment, the Ross Creek experience was wonderful. The shared meals were colorful, energizing and German. Thanks to Kim for all the food she shared with us.

I was in Halifax yesterday and found myself trying to absorb everything before leaving for three weeks. I haven't seen the city so foggy in a long time. I'll miss being by the ocean.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your two day call.

DaPoPo in P/review

After working intensely on both shows last week – Apocalypse 2009, in particular – at Ross Creek, during our only truly luxurious rehearsal situation since the 3-day PARC workshop last December, our p/reviews kicked off last night. 

Two shows, an open space/dance floor, four actors, a few neighbours, strangers, friends in the audience. 

 

"What is, after all, the essence of theatre? The dressing room...?"

(The new Menz Bar includes a dressing room for DaPoPo, which doubles, magically, as a coat check.) 

Last night, we donned our red T-shirts and toques for Four Actors in Search of a Nation, DaPoPo's inaugural script, a good four years after its initial creation.  

The two-year (with intervals) labyrinthine creation process for Apocalypse 2009 brought us back to the beginning: the excitement of creation. 

Weather in Berlin

For the next five days in Berlin: Highs of zero, lows of -2 to -4. Light snow, light snow showers each day.

Pack your boots!

Tonight we start three nights of public previews of "Four Actors" and "Apocalypse." We've been working so hard, when we can get the time to work and we're anxious to have some feedback from audiences. Last night I dreamed I was in the Labyrinth. But not as myself... as Pasiphae.

Ross Creek 4x6

Ross Creek 2

A beautiful day in a field of sun-winter, pink-tinged sky lightening to full morning. We gather. We stretch. We roll on the floor. We make sound. And then there is oatmeal. We fortify. We work. Academy in one room; us in the other. In November, they had never worked together. This weekend, they solidify as a self-directed collective.

We fortify again. A commune of chopping, chatting, eating, sharing.
We go on a field trip further up Ross Creek Road. The Academy show is set at the beach. This trip is an exploration for their senses. Research. We flounder through thigh-high snow drifts, teeter from rock to rock of the stony expanse. The ocean reclaims a lake of snowmelt pooling and glistening to the shore. Four young people at the water's edge. The ocean drops off the horizon to the vastness of the world beyond. Slate, blue, beckoning edible enigmatic world hanging off of the edge of what the eye can see and beyond what the mind can imagine.

Monster-van refuses to go backwards up the hill. Wheels spinning, we lose traction and slip in the wrong direction. Spirits determined, using the tools and resources we have... we just do it. Bit by bit, sometimes gaining and losing in the same go, but together a sum total of success. And relief.

We work. We fortify again. We work more. We lose traction, we slip. We gain and lose. But together... heading in the right direction.