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!

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!

Learning, Teaching, Moving, Dreaming

This post is from magnificent Marie Madesclaire. She is pictured here working with children in a Union County classroom.

It's cold and bleary here in Seattle, with the ever present rain I can't help but miss North Carolina a little. Since Open Dream ended I've moved cross-country and started an exhausting job search. And yet I can't shake Open Dream. Just the other day I was reading a book to a 4 year old boy, as part of my nanny interview, and I found myself using the tools we'd learned during Teaching Artist Training. I asked him to find his nose, or ears, when the book talked about noses and ears. Automatically I would ask to see his happy, sad, or grouchy face when the main character was happy, sad, or grouchy. I think he had a blast, he started to do things without my asking him to, or pointing out things before I could. It was sweet and reminded me of those days spent in classes with Marissa asking the children to do the silliest things. Make your body a VOLCANOOO!!!!!! Boosh. 23 little volcano's in a room, building up pressure and erupting into the sky to the soundtrack of Carmen. All this to say, I learned a lot while a member of Open Dream. Some of it from Rebecca, and Mister William and the other Dreamers, but mostly from those adorable little pipsqueaks in the classrooms and auditoriums. Thanks kiddoes :)

Fantastic Learning Experience

This post is from the terrific trombone-toting Cameron MacManus. He is pictured here leading a class at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts in exploring what a gaseous volcano would smell like.

It’s funny walking the halls at Diggs-Latham Elementary when almost a week after the latest showing of “Big Shoes” the students are still calling out to me “Hey Gordy!”. In the classroom, I’m “Mr. Cameron”. It’s easy for me to get wrapped up my new role as a teaching artist and forget about Gordy’s world. Another pair of shoes to wear, and this time I’m not supposed to trip! Whether I’m being Gordy or Mr. Cameron it is a privilege to get to work with so many young people. Every day is a new learning experience for me as I slowly venture out from under the wing of my talented teaching partner Haydee Thompson. Am I smarter than a fifth grader? Some days more so than others it seems, but every day has been a fantastic learning experience. Little did I know what magic we control as artists and teachers, where our spells could take students, or what a wonderful feeling it is to know that you’ve made a positive impact on a child’s day that can last a lifetime.

The Show is On... Like a Bostic

This post is from the magnificent Marissa Byers, Open Dream's clarinetist/ fire dancer / actress / and now tap dancer. She is pictured here as Sheepish (in pink) along with her Ish sisters Deepish (in purple) and Weepish (in blue).



We are in the middle of week four, and Big Shoes has come to life. With some trimming around the edges, the show is ready to hit the stage on Saturday. I think there must be a little bit of magic at play here. Beth Bostic seems to have that kind of touch as a director- the kind that can't be taught. She managed to create a synchronicity with the ensemble from the start- which enabled us to work efficiently as a team, bounce off of each others' energy in every scene and set change, guiding us through a rehearsal process that kept stress and overdrive at bay. I have learned so much through Open Dream this year, and I'm still processing the extent of it- beginning with a fresh new love for acting, and facing the challenges of integrating clarinet, sound design, acting and dance (we're learning how to tap dance from Julianne- LOVE IT), as well as teamwork and speedy set and costume changes. The growth I see in myself as an artist is invigorating. I think the most significant Bostic gift is the ability to instil healthy confidence in the performer. I always feel that I have the space to find my character (Sheepish) within myself at a pace that suits me naturally. Somehow, this expedites the process. It's about respect. Mad respect. Hats off to the captain. I am in awe of what we all accomplished in the blink of an eye. It's showtime!