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.

Having Fun

This post is from Open Dream Ensemble Artistic Producer and General Manager, Rebecca Nussbaum. 

Recently I was asked to compare the current Open Dreamers to casts from past seasons.  While there are some obvious answers, the one that seems to most shape how well they work as a team and respond to each other is this: they have fun. 

Take a look at the photos from yesterday afternoon's preshow and you'll see what I mean....

Precious Moments

This post is from Ali Bill, pictured here as Emily in Open Dream Ensemble's Big Shoes. 

Hello ODE followers!
These last couple of weeks have been overwhelming in the best sense of the word. We have traveled up and down this beautiful state and I've seen beauty that can only come from the southeast. It's just making it harder and HARDER to have the desire to leave here and go back to the Big Apple...

Our last residency in Charlotte was one that I will never forget. Just so everyone knows, we perform “informances” on the last day of five-day residencies, however we only had a four day residency at this particular school, so we didn't have time for one. However, the imagination and artistic ability that these children had was mind blowing!

On our last day, right before we hand out our book-marks, magnets, and flyers, the students and supportive teacher told us they had something for us, too. They formed in to three groups, thanked us for all that we had taught them, and proceeded to perform their own informances!!! I was blown away that not only did they learn the correct curriculum, they rose to the occasion and in their very own time, put together these skits with dialogue and movement. Our job had surely been done :) This is by far the most rewarding job I have ever had. And I will never forget those precious moments.

XO
Ali

Kind of Moment

This post is from Chesley Polk, pictured here in his role as an Open Dream Teaching Artist. 

I know my previous blogs have been on a super positive note and so I thought I would and should use this one to discuss one of the more painful parts of this job.  You get great kids and you get troubled kids.  The thing with the "bad kids" is they aren't bad. In fact, they are usually so eager to participate that it becomes distracting from the over all lesson and so they have to be disciplined or put out.  It is heartbreaking because you know all they want is to get the answer right or be involved, they just haven't yet mastered the art of "quiet focus". (Which is truly an art).

I hate being the one to tell them to calm down or sit out because I'm always afraid it'll make them scared to participate in the future or that they'll feel their efforts to participate are unappreciated.  I struggled with how to handle this, if only for my peace of mind, and with one student I left feeling I did what I could do.  This student was so active, always raising his hand, jumping with excitement to be able to do what we were doing - but he was so active that it became distracting and he began to shout out answers, jump into the circle, etc. This, as you may imagine, makes teaching the remaining 24 students pretty difficult.  On top of that, it became clear to me that he was a ring leader of sorts. Whatever he did three or four other boys would do as well; including turning their backs from the circle. 

We had to punish him and show him that behavior would get him no where - but I couldn't get that uneasy feeling out of my gut.  A feeling that I have to say something. I pulled him aside on our last day of residency and looked him in his tear filled eyes and said, "hey buddy, you have some great ideas.  You are really truly smart and we saw you knew so much - BUT one of the tricky things you have to learn is patience and how to also be an active listener.  You are clearly a leader in this classroom.  What you do - others do. They look to you as an example. That is a big responsibility". I asked him if he could handle that.  I asked him if he could try to lead the class responsibly and set an example for the other kids.  He looked up at me, tears still flowing down his cheeks, and shook his head yes while flashing a small smile then hugged me all the way to the door.  It's such a scary thing sometimes, teaching children.  I can't help but feel pressure and a responsibility to not only teach the curriculum but help mold them into good people and at times it seems hopeless, but that little teary smile sticks with me and I know, if only for that day, he understood something and that's the kind of moments that make this job a treasure.

Gratitude

This post is from Open Dream Ensemble General Manager and Artistic Producer, Rebecca Nussbaum.

Open Dream Ensemble is now in its ninth season! When I reflect back on the years of productions, performances, residencies, and web series, I am filled with gratitude. I am thankful to the cast members, the creative teams, the writers and the directors. I am thankful to the Kenan Institute for the Arts for its ongoing help and to UNCSA for the talent it develops. I am thankful to the arts organizations that book Open Dream and the schools that host us.

 By the numbers alone, Open Dream has now completed its 36th school residency (with over 2500 individual classes instructed), and has performed 450 times for approximately 180,000 youth in 40 North Carolina Counties. The talents and dedication from the 46 cast members over these years has been inspiring and has brought joy, wonder, and original musical theater across North Carolina.

With three weeks remaining in this season, the Open Dream cast is currently performing in Virginia.  This cast of eight has committed to the work of Open Dream with open heart and minds. They have stretched themselves to perform at their best on stage and in the classroom. And to them, I am thankful.

Working

This post is from Chesley Polk pictured here on the left as the Cobbler in Open Dream's production of Big Shoes. 

Having done a few residencies now, you hear all kinds of things from the kids. You hear about their favorite colors, you hear about what their mom does for work, you hear about who was mean at recess, but you also get to hear how you are making a difference.  That's the amazing part and after our last residency at First Ward Creative Arts Academy in Charlotte, NC my teaching partner, Julianne, and I have a chance to carry it with us.  Our class has written us letters describing our week together and sharing their favorite parts.  We see they clearly remember the show and the points that are made in the script.  They discuss our vocabulary words in detail and pull from our artistic lessons in a way that make it clear to me that what we are doing is working.  These letters are also a testament to the teachers at First Ward and most teachers I have come across on our tour and residencies.  These teachers have a tough job; not only teaching a hefty curriculum, but dealing with these children from varying backgrounds and levels of learning.  When we come into the classroom we can only hope for the kind of teachers that we found at First Ward.  In addition to seeing what these kids have learned with us, we get to see them use their imaginations.  Proven in several letters, we see children be inspired to allow themselves to have a dream and hopefully inspired to chase it.

"Dear Ms. Julianne and Mr. Chesley,
I had the best time with you! I thank you for teaching us about landforms and bodies of water. Also some music.  Here are some words we learned about:  volcano, mountain, valley, presto, andante, largo, piano, forte, island, canyon, and cave. Also when we played the games magic sword and when we learned eachothers names. Thank you."

All I can say is thank you!

Vastness of Potential

This post is from Cameron MacManus pictured here playing the trombone at an Open Dream Ensemble school performance. 

Reflecting on our four days at First Ward Elementary in Charlotte, I am struck by two things: the nature of causality in the classroom and the wonderful intuitive creativity of children. 

I’ve heard that good leaders make followers believe that the leader’s objective is actually their own, and that’s certainly true in the classroom.  It has been eye-opening to see just how different the same lesson plan can play out with just a few different choices along the way.  Getting a group of students to be enthusiastic participants is usually pretty easy, but providing them with the structure and guidance to get the most learning out of the experience and work together is an art that I am just beginning to wrap my head around.  The introduction of one errant impulse and the focused energy of the classroom gets splintered in a thousand directions.  When you’ve given them all the right tools, you can feel the momentum of learning pick up and we all seem to fly through the material as a team.  The more I work with students in the classroom, the better I’m able to guide them in ways that allow excitement to be structured and productive.  I felt very fortunate to be learning and growing in this craft every day at First Ward Elementary.

The really cool thing about the students at First Ward is that very few seemed afraid to fail.  They were ready to jump in 100% and the results were often fantastic.  I’m noticing that students at a schools that emphasize the arts like First Ward have much more confidence than those at non arts-centered schools.   By allowing themselves to take chances, follow their intuition, and be creative, they are becoming aware of the vastness of their own potential.  Pretty amazing stuff!

Fearless Firebirds

This blog post is from Julianne Harper picture here as the pink Triplet Ish, Sheepish, in the center.

Wowee! Just finished up another residency at First Ward Elementary in Charlotte, NC.  What a blast and what an incredible school! Each school we travel to is totally different, and you really don't know what to expect. From the first day we were welcomed with open arms and could really feel how important the arts are to this school.  The classrooms were filled with enthusiastic and creative minds, open to anything we threw at them.  Mr. Chesley and I were able to to have a room full of actors, dancers, and musicians at any given time. And of course we weren't just singing and dancing about just anything; we created songs with movement about aquatic ecosystems, made sound wave soul train lines, and composed an orchestral movement representing the flow of a stream into a river into the ocean...all in a day's work! And absolutely without a doubt, none of that would have been possible without the amazing teachers at First Ward. Every teacher we worked with fully supported our non-traditional way of teaching, and joined our lessons side by side with the kids. It makes such a difference when the teachers participate with the children. They adore their teachers and when Ms. Lewis is dancing down the soul train sound wave line, the kids don't hesitate to follow. It's hard to believe that we only have one more residency to teach this season, and the First Ward Firebirds are going to be a tough act to follow!

SO fun!

This post is from Haydee Thompson!      

We had a really great show this morning!  We are in Charlotte and just finished our first day of a four week residency at First Ward Elementary.  I LOVE this school!

You can tell by the bulletin boards and the art work on the walls that this school uses the arts fully to teach a standard curriculum. I appreciate the enthusiasm of the students and the teachers to our infiltration into the classroom, I sense they are open and excited to have us. 

We always start the week off with a performance in the mornings of our first day, and this morning's performance was tremendous, mostly due to the visceral reactions of our audience.  As a troupe it is a treat to hear our audience (the kids) react with laughs, gasps, applause, and in some cases shout outs!  So funny, SO fun!  Schools are chaotic but I really believe that when everyone comes together to watch a live performance we are all engaging in an expanded moment of mutual experience.  ODE is the talk of the campus as a shared and enriching happening!  What a treat to be a part of!

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

I'm finding a nice flow in the system of the tour. The routines of set up and strike are much smoother and in a way, meditative. I like the repeated tasks that engage the body and mind. It sets me in a good place to begin the show. Building the word of the play from the ground up. I've been really enjoying the 10 minutes before the show begins. I lie on my back, close my eyes, and listen to the sounds of the room. It's a moment to breathe and find physical relaxation. This is definitely the most physically engaging role I've ever played so it's important to have a moment of calm before the storm. Next week we are back in the classroom and I'm looking forward to teaching my first third grade class! Over and out, Wiley P.S. While in Cherokee, Alexander and Gordy went on an adventure to climb a mountain together. Included are photos of their success!

Big Days for Big Shoes

This post is from Cameron MacManus. He is pictured here being hoisted up by the other Open Dreamers in the role of Alexander.

This week we are starting to take Big Shoes on the road. There is something really cool about meeting in the UNCSA parking lot before dawn. The air has this certain energy and a feeling of anticipation at the approach of first light. Still, the cast predictably looks a bit groggy. Everyone sips on a morning coffee or breakfast smoothie and compares notes on sleep quantity and quality. Then, right at the appointed time, we all pile into the van and head out on a new adventure. Some of the passengers stake out a space to sink down into for a few moments of repose. The van rolls into a school or theater parking lot and we all work to unload the gear, arrange our props, and then get our voices and limbs in working order. When showtime arrives we are ‘on it’ - ready to spring into action to deliver a performance that will stick with our young audiences forever. Today we were in Hickory, and then it's on to Mocksville and Cherokee. I have such wonderful memories of exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway and swimming in a frigid creek with last year's cast, and I hope we will have the opportunity for a hike with the entire cast during the mountain portion of our touring schedule this year. Time to catch some ZZZs. There is a big day ahead!

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.