Saturday, July 3, 2010
Leaving the Country of Orange
Our last
day in Holland we all were working like mad on our final project/performance.
During the entire day we would have moments of coming out of the dark shadow
puppetry studio to watch the epic game of Holland against Brazil. Spica and I
would take walks down the cobblestone streets and we would hear random shouts
and horns coming from pubs. "Could it be?" I thought. "Is Holland beating
Brazil? The epic team?" All of the other classmates would make fun of me a
little bit. How is it that an artist could be so interested in sports? I guess
those are the benefits of growing up in a small town. You have a tendency to do
everything.
I was sure that Brazil would beat Holland no problem. They were
bound for victory, but Holland, the tiny country held their own. Pretty soon it
was clear when the score was 2-1 that Holland had it in the bag. People
starting running from their TV screens into the streets and started yelling,
dancing and parading their orange flags. The street was one big river of
orange. Horns were being honked and people would pass in their cars and
motorcycles chanting words in Dutch. What a victory. I was happy for Holland,
and so excited to feel like I had witnessed their victory. Maybe they will win
the world cup? Who knows. We have a little ways to go!
The last night of
performances went really well. Spica and I worked until the very last moment
and pulled together a very nice 6 min. piece dedicated to the beloved town
where we had lived for the past two weeks. Spica and I must have similar energy
because we were able to pull off a 6 min shadow puppetry performance in only a
day. It is so energizing to work with someone where there is such a creative
flow!
It was difficult to say goodbye to all the puppeteers from whom I had
learned so much. We stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking and
drinking wine. I think the most painful goodbye was to my Taiwanese companions.
I had experienced so much generosity on this trip. Jaed, Fa, Mai, Zchu, Spica
and John had now become my family. I will miss learning Chinese, I think I
learned more Chinese than Dutch, and singing, dancing and laughing constantly.
It is amazing, even though one can't always understand what the other was
saying, their smile and warm spirit gave it all away. One can have so much fun
without even saying anything at all. I think my companions called that Ashi.
Whenever we would do something at the same time, or have a fun exciting moment
they would all yell...ASHI! So from now on, when I have a magical moment with
someone else I will yell ASHI! This experience in Holland was definitely ASHI
to the max!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
30 shows later and now a workshop
I can't express how much of an overwhelming satisfaction it is to be surrounded by the
arts 24-7. I do believe that it is true, art is all around you, but to have the
opportunity to see so many shows is truly phenomenal. I know this may sound
cliche, but we are all human, but it is amazing that we all have very vastly
ideas of how to tell a story and how to create an atmosphere and environment
that invites the audience just for a moment into your own little world. A world
in your own creative mind. It truly is inspiring.
There is so much to share.
Yesterday I went to Haarlem, where my father and sister Rachel's good friends
live, Florens, his wife and their daughter Isabel. Meeting them for the first
time was magical. We laughed as if we were old friends and what I most
appreciated was that Florens has known my father for almsot ten years. It is
all through the Bon Buddhist organization that they both love. It was so
wonderful to even discover new things about my father and hear about the things
that he had been telling Florens about me and our family. I truly developed a
new appreciation for my father. He truly is a very determined and hard working
man. He never gives up and his passion and new ideas are contageous. I only
hope I can be half as determined as he is in my life's persuits. As Florens put
it, "Your father really is living life! He has no plans to retire. His
retirement is his rebirth." I completely agree with that statement. What a zest
he has for life.
We have now begun the shadow puppetry master class. It is
quite intense. Today we have been hovered around an overhead projector and
given only 30 mins to create a quick story. The preassure is on, but the
overwhelming support that we get from the class is amazing. Everyone is at
least ten years older than me and I am the only American, the class is in
English, but I think I am one of two that English is their first language. It
has been a learning experience for sure and I have a lot of learning to do! We
work from 9:00AM-10:00PM every day with breaks inbetween. Whew! It is quite
exhausting, but really beneficial. I look forward to tomorrow because we will
be working with flashlights! Oh my goodness. I am officially a shadow nerd!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Holland Plays in the World Cup Today...While we perform! :)
Big Day for Holand!
It is true, the world has turned upside down for the world cup! As we were setting up
our show today in this beautiful house that looks like a museum, we could hear
the chanting and hollering outside in the streets. I was glad that we had music
that could drown out the horn blowing and hollering, but I do admit, a part of
me wanted to join them. I am a soccer fan at heart. We rehearsed twice, pre set
our puppets and waited for the audience to arrive. We were performing three
times for three different audiences of about 25 each. Spica and I both agreed
that we got better as we went along. I relaxed more and more as we went along
as well. It was such a rush to perform, set up again, perform...three times in
a row. We were so grateful that the last show was our best show because a
couple from Israel were in the audience. They go to festivals so they can
invite shows they like to their own festival in Israel. She asked us if we
could create a 45 min piece. We said yes and she invited us for next summer's
festival in Israel on the spot!!! We both smiled and when she left we went
crazy and jumped for joy! I was so relieved that Spica was so pleased with the
performance. I think we both felt proud of our work.
Later that night we went over to a friend of Spica's house to celebrate one of our companion's
birthdays. Taiwanese people age so well. I thought she was at the oldest 30.
She was 40!! Absolutely phenomenal! At the party there were 4 languages
circling the room. Cantonese from Hong Kong, English, Dutch and Manderan from
Taiwan. It was incredible to watch the translation happening so quickly. We
were all laughing and having a wonderful time. This is what I love most about
festivals. The exchange of cultures, way of life and enjoyng people's company
from across the world.
Tomorrow is another day of seeing shows and
performing. I fear I will never tire of it. :)
We also found out Holland
won their game in the World CUP! Hooray for Holland!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Puppetry Heaven!
Hey hey, today is the day, we are on a puppet parade!!! What do you say? :) I see
puppets on the streets, puppets in theatres, gardens, living rooms and
even...on boats! I must be at the Dordrecht Puppetry festival. I couldn't
believe how many different places it was possible to perform! Spica and I are
in the living room section. An audience of about 35 sees 3 shows in one night.
Each show is in a different home in their living room. We visited our living
room and the house is absolutely enormous! It looks like a museum. There are
paintings hanging everywhere and the furniture looks like it is from the
1800's. We needed absolute darkness in our room and when we turned off the
lights, sure enough...I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face. The
windows were shuttered shut and heavy curtains were placed over them. It is
sure going to be exciting to perform in a space that all you can see are the
lights we create. We perform tomorrow!!! We are both very excited! We perform
for three days and three times each night with only 10 mins to pre-set in
between shows. It is going to be a whirl wind of a night.
We have been rehearsing every day. The house where we are staying has turned into a studio.
There are four shows that sleep in the house. One show rehearses in the garden,
one in one of the theatre rooms, and two down stairs. We have all performed for
each other, given feedback and made adjustments to our own performances. It is
a lot of brain power, but it is worth it!
In between rehearsing we see shows. We are seeing over 20 shows in one week from all over the world. It is
mind boggling to think that I am one of four people from the United States at
this festival and one of them is Spica. We are the only two people representing
NYC.
I am surrounded by at least five different languages on a daily basis,
but the common language that is exchanged is English. I am so impressed with
how many people know English. I am the token American that hangs out with the
four wonderfully energetic Taiwanese. I love listening to them speak Chinese!
They are such a happy bunch that continuously make me laugh! They have
officially been my companions for this festival. We eat, see shows, rehearse
and laugh together. My kind of companions.
Our host family has been VERY generous. Every night we sit in the living room and he offers us wine, nuts and
so so much cheese! I am in heaven. Cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner! What could be better?
Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland. All the houses are
by the river and boats are plentiful. Many people live in them! There is even a
show that takes you down the river in a boat and you see performances along the
way. What the people in the boat don't know is that there is another
performance that you can't see going on in the street. The performers are
running, changing clothes and taking off their shoes so they can make it to the
next station for the people in the boat to see. It is quite funny watching the
actors run from station to station carrying props frantically. One night we
followed them with our host father. We ran after them and waved at the boat as
it was going by. I can't wait to actually experience the performance in the
boat!
I know I say that almost every experience I have is "AMAZING!" But I
have to say, when Spica asked me if I was having a good time I told her,
"Spica, I have to pinch myself every day to make sure this experience is real."
Monday, June 21, 2010
Made it to Holland!
After one bus ride from Philly to NYC, then one plane ride to Brussels, and two train
rides to Holland, and a 15 min walk to the information desk to reunite with
Spica-- I finally made it! It is supper late and I have had a whirl wind of a
day, but I have already seen two shows, eated at a great restaurant and have
reunited with Spica and all of her wonderful Taiwanese friends. I am staying in
a beautiful home where I have my own room. I am so inpsired by this home. There
is a theatre inside of the home!!! In the room there are book shelves on both
sides where there are two balconies and then below is a stage and enough room
for an audience of forty chairs. How amazing to have that kind of space in your
own home. It has inspired me to work on my barn at home. I asked the man who
owns the home how long it took him to build it--he made it himself. He said a
year. Look out year...here I come!
It is so wonderful not only to be surrounded by artist, but also puppeteers! We are a rare breed indeed. We don't
perform until Thursday so I am exicted just to see shows and to rehearse. What
a joy it is to be here in this cute little brick roaded town! I really couldn't
ask for anything better! I am truly on cloud nine! Much more to come!
Leaving the Country of Orange
Our last
day in Holland we all were working like mad on our final project/performance.
During the entire day we would have moments of coming out of the dark shadow
puppetry studio to watch the epic game of Holland against Brazil. Spica and I
would take walks down the cobblestone streets and we would hear random shouts
and horns coming from pubs. "Could it be?" I thought. "Is Holland beating
Brazil? The epic team?" All of the other classmates would make fun of me a
little bit. How is it that an artist could be so interested in sports? I guess
those are the benefits of growing up in a small town. You have a tendency to do
everything.
I was sure that Brazil would beat Holland no problem. They were
bound for victory, but Holland, the tiny country held their own. Pretty soon it
was clear when the score was 2-1 that Holland had it in the bag. People
starting running from their TV screens into the streets and started yelling,
dancing and parading their orange flags. The street was one big river of
orange. Horns were being honked and people would pass in their cars and
motorcycles chanting words in Dutch. What a victory. I was happy for Holland,
and so excited to feel like I had witnessed their victory. Maybe they will win
the world cup? Who knows. We have a little ways to go!
The last night of
performances went really well. Spica and I worked until the very last moment
and pulled together a very nice 6 min. piece dedicated to the beloved town
where we had lived for the past two weeks. Spica and I must have similar energy
because we were able to pull off a 6 min shadow puppetry performance in only a
day. It is so energizing to work with someone where there is such a creative
flow!
It was difficult to say goodbye to all the puppeteers from whom I had
learned so much. We stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking and
drinking wine. I think the most painful goodbye was to my Taiwanese companions.
I had experienced so much generosity on this trip. Jaed, Fa, Mai, Zchu, Spica
and John had now become my family. I will miss learning Chinese, I think I
learned more Chinese than Dutch, and singing, dancing and laughing constantly.
It is amazing, even though one can't always understand what the other was
saying, their smile and warm spirit gave it all away. One can have so much fun
without even saying anything at all. I think my companions called that Ashi.
Whenever we would do something at the same time, or have a fun exciting moment
they would all yell...ASHI! So from now on, when I have a magical moment with
someone else I will yell ASHI! This experience in Holland was definitely ASHI
to the max!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
30 shows later and now a workshop
I can't express how much of an overwhelming satisfaction it is to be surrounded by the
arts 24-7. I do believe that it is true, art is all around you, but to have the
opportunity to see so many shows is truly phenomenal. I know this may sound
cliche, but we are all human, but it is amazing that we all have very vastly
ideas of how to tell a story and how to create an atmosphere and environment
that invites the audience just for a moment into your own little world. A world
in your own creative mind. It truly is inspiring.
There is so much to share.
Yesterday I went to Haarlem, where my father and sister Rachel's good friends
live, Florens, his wife and their daughter Isabel. Meeting them for the first
time was magical. We laughed as if we were old friends and what I most
appreciated was that Florens has known my father for almsot ten years. It is
all through the Bon Buddhist organization that they both love. It was so
wonderful to even discover new things about my father and hear about the things
that he had been telling Florens about me and our family. I truly developed a
new appreciation for my father. He truly is a very determined and hard working
man. He never gives up and his passion and new ideas are contageous. I only
hope I can be half as determined as he is in my life's persuits. As Florens put
it, "Your father really is living life! He has no plans to retire. His
retirement is his rebirth." I completely agree with that statement. What a zest
he has for life.
We have now begun the shadow puppetry master class. It is
quite intense. Today we have been hovered around an overhead projector and
given only 30 mins to create a quick story. The preassure is on, but the
overwhelming support that we get from the class is amazing. Everyone is at
least ten years older than me and I am the only American, the class is in
English, but I think I am one of two that English is their first language. It
has been a learning experience for sure and I have a lot of learning to do! We
work from 9:00AM-10:00PM every day with breaks inbetween. Whew! It is quite
exhausting, but really beneficial. I look forward to tomorrow because we will
be working with flashlights! Oh my goodness. I am officially a shadow nerd!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Holland Plays in the World Cup Today...While we perform! :)
Big Day for Holand!
It is true, the world has turned upside down for the world cup! As we were setting up
our show today in this beautiful house that looks like a museum, we could hear
the chanting and hollering outside in the streets. I was glad that we had music
that could drown out the horn blowing and hollering, but I do admit, a part of
me wanted to join them. I am a soccer fan at heart. We rehearsed twice, pre set
our puppets and waited for the audience to arrive. We were performing three
times for three different audiences of about 25 each. Spica and I both agreed
that we got better as we went along. I relaxed more and more as we went along
as well. It was such a rush to perform, set up again, perform...three times in
a row. We were so grateful that the last show was our best show because a
couple from Israel were in the audience. They go to festivals so they can
invite shows they like to their own festival in Israel. She asked us if we
could create a 45 min piece. We said yes and she invited us for next summer's
festival in Israel on the spot!!! We both smiled and when she left we went
crazy and jumped for joy! I was so relieved that Spica was so pleased with the
performance. I think we both felt proud of our work.
Later that night we went over to a friend of Spica's house to celebrate one of our companion's
birthdays. Taiwanese people age so well. I thought she was at the oldest 30.
She was 40!! Absolutely phenomenal! At the party there were 4 languages
circling the room. Cantonese from Hong Kong, English, Dutch and Manderan from
Taiwan. It was incredible to watch the translation happening so quickly. We
were all laughing and having a wonderful time. This is what I love most about
festivals. The exchange of cultures, way of life and enjoyng people's company
from across the world.
Tomorrow is another day of seeing shows and
performing. I fear I will never tire of it. :)
We also found out Holland
won their game in the World CUP! Hooray for Holland!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Puppetry Heaven!
Hey hey, today is the day, we are on a puppet parade!!! What do you say? :) I see
puppets on the streets, puppets in theatres, gardens, living rooms and
even...on boats! I must be at the Dordrecht Puppetry festival. I couldn't
believe how many different places it was possible to perform! Spica and I are
in the living room section. An audience of about 35 sees 3 shows in one night.
Each show is in a different home in their living room. We visited our living
room and the house is absolutely enormous! It looks like a museum. There are
paintings hanging everywhere and the furniture looks like it is from the
1800's. We needed absolute darkness in our room and when we turned off the
lights, sure enough...I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face. The
windows were shuttered shut and heavy curtains were placed over them. It is
sure going to be exciting to perform in a space that all you can see are the
lights we create. We perform tomorrow!!! We are both very excited! We perform
for three days and three times each night with only 10 mins to pre-set in
between shows. It is going to be a whirl wind of a night.
We have been rehearsing every day. The house where we are staying has turned into a studio.
There are four shows that sleep in the house. One show rehearses in the garden,
one in one of the theatre rooms, and two down stairs. We have all performed for
each other, given feedback and made adjustments to our own performances. It is
a lot of brain power, but it is worth it!
In between rehearsing we see shows. We are seeing over 20 shows in one week from all over the world. It is
mind boggling to think that I am one of four people from the United States at
this festival and one of them is Spica. We are the only two people representing
NYC.
I am surrounded by at least five different languages on a daily basis,
but the common language that is exchanged is English. I am so impressed with
how many people know English. I am the token American that hangs out with the
four wonderfully energetic Taiwanese. I love listening to them speak Chinese!
They are such a happy bunch that continuously make me laugh! They have
officially been my companions for this festival. We eat, see shows, rehearse
and laugh together. My kind of companions.
Our host family has been VERY generous. Every night we sit in the living room and he offers us wine, nuts and
so so much cheese! I am in heaven. Cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner! What could be better?
Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland. All the houses are
by the river and boats are plentiful. Many people live in them! There is even a
show that takes you down the river in a boat and you see performances along the
way. What the people in the boat don't know is that there is another
performance that you can't see going on in the street. The performers are
running, changing clothes and taking off their shoes so they can make it to the
next station for the people in the boat to see. It is quite funny watching the
actors run from station to station carrying props frantically. One night we
followed them with our host father. We ran after them and waved at the boat as
it was going by. I can't wait to actually experience the performance in the
boat!
I know I say that almost every experience I have is "AMAZING!" But I
have to say, when Spica asked me if I was having a good time I told her,
"Spica, I have to pinch myself every day to make sure this experience is real."
Monday, June 21, 2010
Made it to Holland!
After one bus ride from Philly to NYC, then one plane ride to Brussels, and two train
rides to Holland, and a 15 min walk to the information desk to reunite with
Spica-- I finally made it! It is supper late and I have had a whirl wind of a
day, but I have already seen two shows, eated at a great restaurant and have
reunited with Spica and all of her wonderful Taiwanese friends. I am staying in
a beautiful home where I have my own room. I am so inpsired by this home. There
is a theatre inside of the home!!! In the room there are book shelves on both
sides where there are two balconies and then below is a stage and enough room
for an audience of forty chairs. How amazing to have that kind of space in your
own home. It has inspired me to work on my barn at home. I asked the man who
owns the home how long it took him to build it--he made it himself. He said a
year. Look out year...here I come!
It is so wonderful not only to be surrounded by artist, but also puppeteers! We are a rare breed indeed. We don't
perform until Thursday so I am exicted just to see shows and to rehearse. What
a joy it is to be here in this cute little brick roaded town! I really couldn't
ask for anything better! I am truly on cloud nine! Much more to come!
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