Today was a big day for us in NYC, and a rainy one. NYC has rain on our schedule for our whole trip here... we're looking forward to Washington DC to get to see the sun again!
We started off our first full day in NYC at Ripley Grier Studios (one of the most popular places for auditions in the city) meeting and working with Matt Mitler and the ensemble of the Dzieci Theatre. They do fascinating work that is based on the work of Grotowski, and the concepts of Peter Brook's "Holy Theatre." In our 3 hours with them we were able to engage with them in an artistic exploration, learn a lot about their process and sit down with them over a pot-luck lunch to learn more about how their ensemble came together and how they function.
Next we headed over to the office of Broadway producer Ken Davenport. Ken is an inspiration to us for all of the work he has done in developing new shows (Altar Boyz, Awesome 80's Prom), for creating websites which bring together the theatre community (BroadwaySpace.com, DidHeLikeIt.com, & BestOfOffBroadway.com) as well as for all of his pioneering ideas and insights on his blog (TheProducersPerspective.com).
Ken's blog has had some inspired ideas about marketing, producing, and pushing the edges of theatre. Check out a couple of our favorite posts: Kenneth Cole, Pictures at "Hair", Airline Industry, & Critic's Poster
We got a lot from talking with Ken about the for-profit side of the theatre business, about how he's integrated technology into promoting and sustaining his theatre ideas, and about his process of creating and developing new shows.
Next we hopped on the train to Park Slope, Brooklyn to meet with Chris Elam of Misnomer Dance Theater.
We first heard about Chris in this brilliant speech by Ben Cameron- it's a must see (he talks a lot about Chris in the Q & A). After researching Misnomer, we became fascinated with Chris' work and all he's doing to bring technology into the arts. In fact he talks about it (after he dances) in his great TED talk. Check out the video!
In mid-April of this year he is launching the Alpha verion of his new project called the Audience Engagement Platform (AEP). In the website's words "AEP is an open-source platform that helps artists design and efficiently manage their relationships with audiences, while giving individual audience members exciting ways to interact with artists and the arts. AEP aims to extend the meaningful moment of the live performance and transform how art fits into our daily lives." AEP's intension is to give arts organizations (theatre companies, dance troupes, musicians, museums) a technology framework to engage their audience on the internet. We could all sense that the work he is pioneering with the AEP will make a big impact on the ways we will be able to connect with our local and world community in the future.
Chris opens the new season of Misnomer's dance on April 2nd at Symphony Space in NYC... so if you're in NYC check them out.
Today was a big day, and tomorrow could be even bigger with our "Words & Wine" artists gathering tomorrow night and our meetings with Todd London of New Dramatists, and Terry Greiss of the Irondale Ensemble.
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