"THE LANGUAGE OF LIGHT" has introduced itself in small visual
parts, each piece seeming to come at a time when the idea seems stuck
with no place else to go. It came disjointed, a piece of music and a
meditation, a idea for magic, a flash of color and movement, and then
the idea suddenly combines, to my delight, as a complete concept.
After the first production I expected to start getting information
on the next two acts. While I know what they are about, I am not entirely
clear on what form they may take- I was not convinced the first act
would turn out to be a dance! As it turns out I am being nudged into
exploring the way in which this initial performance can be taken to
other communities and involve new young dancers, new choreographers
and new band. The ideas seems to jump out at me once it seems to solidify.
The arc of the show itself lends itself to using all types of dancers,
the polish of the professionals seems icing on the cake, the metaphor
completes with their help. The overall warmth of the show invites new
communities to bond over it's message and collaborate in this "act of
creation".
The New Economy as I see it also lends itself to this type of performing.
While the world seems to struggle financially we can create small economies
locally, keeping kids taking dance, keeping choreographers busy, putting
theatres to work, keeping production people sharp with the latest technology.
The multiude of ways we can support and feed such an idea is fasinating.
The private sector and the arts foundations can all play a part in keeping
artists working, kids learning and our spirits growing.
The Mix
When the idea for the music came in it was a great surprise. I was in
bed playing with a new web site I had found called Fine tune. It was a
place that you are invited to make your own play list from thousands of
available artists. I was busily looking for music that I personally enjoyed
and hitting the 30 second listen button getting quick hits of what the
songs were. My computer also had a meditation CD in the player. For some
reason the CD began to play and I had this spoken meditation playing while
I also had the music running.
Wow. What a cool mix of sounds and concepts. I began to play with the
meditation going in and out of the music and then it developed into the
meditation leading us into the music, the energy of a song, an expression
of a Chakra.
Still I did not know this as the soundtrack for the original work I was
to pursue. I am not sure why the concepts have come in compartments, or
maybe I am just slow. It took a moment like creating a Reeces Peanut Butter
Cup for me to see the beauty of "chocolate and peanut butter together"
as a terrific mix and wonderful idea to pursue.
"The thing I like about rock-and-roll gigs was that there were almost no sets.
I was fascinated by how lights could completely redefine space.
You pretty much decide the image--the vision the spectator is going to have.
It's an incredible power--to take a complete space, a piece of scenery or an action,
and decide that this is the vision that people are going to have, and this is how I am going to try to influence them.
Because you are obviously trying to evoke something. And I thought that this was pretty exciting.
From an interview with Luc Lafortune, Lighting Designer for Cirque Du Soliel
Luc Lafortune is one of my hero's. People that we emulate and admire encourage
us to pull ourselves to a higher level of performance and creativity. What
I admire about Luc Lafortune is not just his gig, which is sweet, but the
way in which he and the Cirque work. They have no set schedule, no preconceived ideas
of what the work will look like or evolve into. A wonderful, free way in
which to work in the Theatre. Cirque has carved out TIME to create. This gift they have given
themselves is the greatest gift one can get in the live arts. It seems there is never enough time. Mr. Lafortune
has the good fortune to experiment and dabble in his art, a gigantic theatre space, to perfect his vision. Wow!
"The Language of Light" has some very exciting lighting requirements we
will be fitting into our limited time. Because it speaks to the nature of the "light
within" and must try accurately to reflect the feeling and energy of this
powerful subject. We intend to evoke, invoke, a vision, and provide an uplifting
experience, within the realm of spirit, propelled
by rock and roll and the power of dance. Please join us October 3rd thru 5th at the Aspen District Theatre.