Cheers to the crew!

This post is from Ali Bill pictured here as the real Ali Bill! 

I can't believe the season is over! I know I'm no longer with my crew, and I know I'm not living out of my suitcase any more, but I still feel like at any moment, I will have to pick up my bag and get in a van going to who knows where! The excitement is still there. And I am still so happy to have been a part of Season 9.
This program has taught me so many things along the way. I am more willing as an artist to do whatever necessary, to make something work as long as it touches the audience. I am more willing to teach, and actually have a desire to do so! I have a deeper understanding of what being an artist is, and know that my dream or goal will change as I grow older, and that is okay.
I am still going to live and work in the hustle up in New York, at least for a few more years, until I decide maybe California is better for me. Or Chicago, Texas, Europe, etc! I can be happy performing anywhere as long as I'm passionate about my project.
This project has changed me in to a more willing, passionate, positive artist, and for that I am truly thankful. I hope that feeling never leaves me. And as long as I have good people on my side, I know it never will. Cheers to the crew!

Under the Surface

This post is from Cameron MacManus, pictured here in the purple cap as Alexander in Open Dream Ensemble's production of Big Shoes. 

Today, we performed at The Stokes Opportunity Center, a vocational day program for mentally handicapped adults, for around 20 students.  It was one of our most unusual performances (very little in the way of props and costumes), and also one of the most playful and spontaneous.  Prior to our rendition of Big Shoes, we were treated to some great performances by the students and got to collaborate with then on some short plays.  The whole day was great fun, but there were so many layers of meaning under the surface.  I think that is true for every interaction we have had with students and teachers this season.  Whether or not we are aware in the moment, there is so much more information imparted beyond the words and the actions in Big Shoes or in our lesson plans. 

We enter schools as a certain kind of ‘other’ that many students may have not seen in person.  As such, we are showing students new possibilities of how to perceive the world, work with others, and explore abilities without fear of negative judgements.  I like to imagine that there are a few students at every school we go to that decide to dedicate some part of their lives to the pursuit and enjoyment of the arts, and that all acquire a wider view of the world and all the possibilities in it from having met people who can give a face and a name to the term ‘artist’. 

I feel so lucky to have been a part of this cast and playing a part in telling this story.  Now it’s off to other projects: writing big band jazz music, practicing for auditions, and building a teaching studio.  I’m excited to have the necessary time for these pursuits, but I’ll miss this fantastic cast, the long van rides, the load-in and outs, and the thousands of unforgettable moments in the classroom that make up an Open Dream Ensemble season.  Long live the Open Dream Ensemble!

Residency Wrapup!

 This post is from Marissa Byers, pictured here as Deepish in Open Dream Ensemble's production of Big Shoes. 

We left Asheville today after completing our final residency at Claxton Elementary. It's hard to believe that a whole season of working in the classrooms is over. We're all pretty exhausted, but there's a truly bittersweet air hovering over us. I'm left with images of all those faces with smiles and admiration in their eyes, all the chaos and magic of creativity and the hilarious and offbeat comments... Oh the things kids will say. Mr. Wiley was an exceptional teaching partner, and I couldn't be happier about the work we did together. Despite the fact that we're both still very much kids at heart and in physicality, we managed to integrate the academic material from the lesson plans into the classroom. It was satisfying and just plain fun.

Now we have two weeks left of the season, and we're just traveling around performing Big Shoes. It's a different kind of connection with the students, but equally as fun and meaningful. There's nothing quite like the sound of roaring laughter coming from a room full of hundreds of kids... knowing that it's a response to us, a stellar ensemble made of talented hard workers who exemplify mad respect and impeccable teamwork.

Knowledge and Confindence

This post is from Wiley Basho Gorn pictured here as Gordy in Open Dream Ensemble's production of Big Shoes.


We just finished our final week of teacher artist residencies. I felt the most confident in the class room and working with my teaching partner that I have all season and now it's over. I think there's something really beautiful about that feeling. The strive for knowledge that only comes at the end of the journey, often when you least expect it.

Because of the residencies my animal impersonations have skyrocketed as has my knowledge of earthquakes and volcanoes. My favorite moments were the times I showed and played my violin for the class. It's an instrument I've had

I'm looking forward to the next two weeks of tour life but I will always hold a place in my heart for the residencies.

since I was in 4th Grade and it's interesting to think back to that time, especially since we're teaching kids that age. I just recently found out the history of where Myla (my violin) was made and her age. I love sharing that knowledge and explaining vibrations through the strings and body.