Energizing Science

This post is from Chesley Polk! He is pictured here at the Robber of Soles in Open Dream Ensemble's production of Big Shoes. Having just finished our second residency I can say this experience has been more than I had thought or hoped for. Not only am I getting to perform a show, which I love, but then I'm getting to be with kids and discuss the artistic process and see them become more and more interested in at least one of the art forms as the week progresses. Today we had a student, in a discussion of what we've learned this week, say "I learned we can do science in a way that is fun and energizing." That made the week worth it right there. To have children respond to a lesson plan in a positive way, to build what we call and 'informance' (informal/informative performance, and then perform for their peers is such a great feeling. To see there faces light up and see them step out of their shells and become a Nile Crocodile, or even a bacteria is so fulfilling. This process is reminding me of when I first caught the acting bug in third grade. You can see certain students who have already caught it or catch it right in front of your eyes. It's truly an amazing thing.

I MADE IT TO THE SUMMIT WITH ALEXANDER

This vlog is from Marissa Byers, pictured here as Deepish in Open Dream's Big Shoes! (Be sure to click the word "vlog"in the previous sentence as it will take you to the video portion of this post.

Cameron and I decided to make a day trip up Stone Mountain, NC. There were so many parallels to Open Dream thematically that I had to link our adventure to Big Shoes and the subject content we use for our residencies as teaching artists.

Being a Collaborative Artist

This post is from Kristin Schwecke! She is pictured here as the Nice Woman / Narrator in Open Dream's production of Big Shoes.

Growing up in theater and choir, I always thought I knew what being a collaborative artist was. I’ve worked with countless directors, conductors, accompanists and other musicians but, I’m just now discovering what it truly is to be collaborative. I’m a professional opera singer and we work with conductors, stage directors, stage managers, and a wide variety of instrumentalists. Being in Open Dream has truly opened my eyes to how unique each of our art forms are, from actors sitting down for table reads, dancers learning choreography, and living composers working one-on-one with the musicians. It is an incredible experience to be able to work so closely with so many talented people in their chosen fields. We each have had the chance to share our expertise and learn something new, because even though we each have our specific talents, we are all stepping out of our boundaries and trying something new as well.

Transforming Teaching

This post is from Ali Bill, pictured here in her role as Emily in Open Dream Ensemble's production of Big Shoes!

Hello, all! Ali Bill here, for my very first Open Dream Blog! This process has moved fast, has been incredibly challenging, and exhausting to say the least. But ultimately, it is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of. We rehearsed for the first three weeks of the program and this week we started our residencies at a local school in Winston-Salem! I had no idea what to expect. Honestly, a lot of elementary school memories came flooding back towards me and I was scared, nervous, and felt all around like an 8 year old again! Was I up to date on style and music? Probably not, but I jumped in anyway! Every day has been different, but every single day, I feel more and more proud to be able to teach these children that arts and science can coincide. And I've talked to teachers who have told me that certain children who have been less participatory have completely transformed and perked up when we do our musical warm ups, skits, and pantomimes with the children. So far, I feel like this is exactly where I should be. I have a history of teachers in my family and I feel it so feeds a part of me that I didn't really know existed. Obviously, I can only hope that this positivity stays with me and us as a group as we go on to travel the beautiful state of North Carolina! Thanks for following!

Making the Leap

This post is from Wiley Basho Gorn, pictured here as Gordy in Big Shoes!

We are a few days out from our first school residency and I'm nervous and excited for it to begin! The past few weeks have been spent planning for this and talking a lot about the teaching process but once Monday starts we make the dive and hit the ground running. This next week is the first of a cycle, a system of management that will only grown stronger and more creative as we find our stride. I'm anticipating making some mistakes, it's bound to happen, but I'm looking forward to what each one has to teach me about myself and my work. We have been given the great responsibility and joy of passing knowledge on to these kids and I'm sure that by the end I'll have learned just as much from them as they will have from us.

I Can't Wait!

This post is from the hilarious Haydee Thompson pictured here wailing as Weepish!

I can't wait, I can't wait! Monday we finally start our first week of residencies and I feel like what I hear expectant parents sometimes say. "I wonder what they will look/sound like. I wonder who they will become." Because I have been a teaching artist for so many years I know better than to generalize my students into just grades or age groups. They are dynamic persons with their own individual personalities, voices and ways of learning. Along the years I have met and taught so many wonderful children who have in turn taught me so much and I realize, just now, that some of my kids are in fact Juniors in High School this year! Crazy! I wonder what dreams they are preparing for currently. Do any of them want to be scientists? Maybe, just maybe, we have inspired an artist or two! There is a lump in my throat thinking about it. Have I made a difference? That hope is what keeps me coming back year after year and I just Can't Wait to meet them.

Sheepish to Deepish

This post is from the marvelous Marissa Byers! My third season with Open Dream is in full action! It's amazing how Big Shoes had taken a whole new life of its own and almost feels like a completely different show. The four of us returning are all playing new roles, which keeps the performances feeling fresh and unpredictable. I played the part of Sheepish last year- one of the Triplets Ish, and I couldn't be happier to be a triplet again... only this time I'm Deepish. Instead of being the pink one who blushes a lot and is embarrassed easily, I am the purple one who speaks in cryptic language and is seemingly profound (ish). My sisters are played by Haydee and Julianne, who are both blonde, and I am the lone brunette with purple in my hair. It just amuses me... aside from the fact that the two of them are a blast to work with. The whole cast has been incredible to work with, and I'm looking forward to spending the next few months playing, learning and growing with such inspiring counterparts. It's always hard work, but it's clear so far that every cast member loves working hard and knows how to play to the max. This isn't always the case, and I'm thrilled by the momentum it is stirring up. I'm ready for takeoff!

Big Smiles

It's been busy in Open Dream Land! Our show, Big Shoes, is up and running and we are completing the final days of teaching artist training. I have been impressed with the group of artists who are in Open Dream Ensemble this year. They have big talents, big hearts, and big smiles! I am looking forward to getting them into schools throughout North Carolina in the coming months. This post is from Open Dream Ensemble's General Manager and Artistic Producer, Rebecca Nussbaum.

In the Club

This post is from the ever industrious Cameron MacManus pictured here as Alexander.

I’m very excited to be back for my second year with the Open Dream Ensemble. The learning tempo has been very high the past three weeks, and we shall soon reveal the reboot of Big Shoes to the world. All of the returning members are playing different characters this year, and I have been cast as Alexander. Last year I was Alexander’s little brother Gordy. The brothers’ relationship is key to the story and it has been a real treat to explore that sibling dynamic from the other side. Seeing Gordy’s journey through Alexander’s eyes is almost like watching myself grow up! “This thing is for Fearless Warriors, Intrepid Explorers . . .”! So says Alexander at the beginning of Big Shoes to explain to Gordy why he can not be admitted to the exclusive Shackleton Club. The Open Dream Ensemble is composed of just that sort of adventurers. This fantastic company is fearlessly attacking our collective boundaries and redrawing the map as we explore Big Shoes anew. This team is full of the bravest adventures and together we are well on our way to the summit!