Playing with props

Remember these guys? They're back. (seagulls, if you don't)

Most of this week the cast of dancers and puppets has been working while the rest of you are doing whatever it is that you do. For the dancers and puppeteers that means that however hot it is, or rainy, or damp, they are focussed on the coming production, and, as is usual with an Alison Chase/Mia Kanazawa production, learning to use large props and move in gymnastic and dangerous ways.


Here are some picutures of"Primodials," in an early incarnation. Here they have sticks attached to what would be their hands--like Thai shadow puppets. These pictures are from Thursday, July 15; by Saturday, July 17, they had lost the sticks managing the arms. Now the arms flow more. and appear longer. The puppets are about 15 feet tall, and are managed here by two dancers, not unusually tall themselves. It's a balancing act, not letting the puppets get too far out of plumb, or the wind and gravity can take over.

While the boys were playing with (BIG) toys, some of the women were warming up so they could climb on the huts.

From left to right, Jade Curtis, Stephanie Fungsong and Jessica Bend do plies in 2nd position. Pretty grounded, you might think.

And then, here they are in the air.

Stay tuned.