Clown Nose Workshop

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Cheryl Ann Sanders posed the age old question, To
clown, or not to clown. Her Clown Nose Workshop at Valencia College East Campus gave actors the tools they needed to express their inner clown. Clown nose can be a great tool for any actor who is processing a scene, character, or any
physical choices. Comedy is one of the hardest crafts to master. Why?
Because many try too hard. What is funny? There are moments that make us
laugh every day, and they usually stem from the most ordinary and
simplistic acts. 

Clown nose helped students to identify the most
honest moments, and connect directly with the audience, obtain a greater
sense of timing, and the open setting gave participants a sense of safety as they embraced the
absurdity and vulnerability of life. 

Details and requirements: 

• Participants arrived early and were physically warm to start class
on time.

• Long hair needed to be pulled back and secured away from the face.

• Clothing was preferably solid
black, well fitting but nonrestrictive.

• Pictures, video, and note taking was both allowed and encouraged, but
phones needed to be silent.

• Participants were led through a series of
exercises both individually and as small groups.

• Participants were
asked to go beyond their comfort zones.

• There was no right and wrong.

• All supplies (red noses) and props (red noses) were provided.

Cheryl Ann Snders is well known for her clown work for Cirque du Soleil. One of her routines involved her simply sweeping he floor and suddenly realize that she is being watched by an audience. The performance is simple and understated but hilarious. Students each took turns adding their twist to this simple concept. I laughed constantly as I drew. Sometimes half the students would sit on the floor with their clown noses off becoming the audience. Improve is in its own right a challenge but improve with the hope of getting a laugh is really challenging.

The Last Door

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Ethos Physical Theatre Company of New Jersey presented this press preview of The Last Door. A monkey entered the stage swinging from the ropes with abandon. A large lumbering tortoise entered the stage from the left. Their exchange brings to light that they are stuck inn a zoo enclosure. their keepers were gone for an unknown reason. Perhaps it was an apocalypse. They argued about the one door out and weather it was locked. All the while the tortoise made its way across the stage which is I assume where the door might be located. Then the monkey had a revelation that might lead to their freedom.  But at that moment the play was suddenly over. It couldn’t have been more than ten or fifteen minuets. The audience sat dumbfounded for another 10 minutes thinking that there might be more to the story. At least let us know it they made their way out into the world. But the story was over before it began.

The  tortoise was kind of interesting as a puppet requiring two handlers, and the monkey was acrobatic but not quite as entertaining as Cirque du Soleil acrobatics. It was an existential children’s fable with no discernible moral. I felt a bit duped to have entered the door to the theater and was thankful when I found it on the way out. Regardless I got a decent sketch.

LUNA

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Ana Cuellar, a Cirque du Soleil artist, brings  8
internationally acclaimed dances to Fringe this year through her
creation of LUNA. The show’s emotional forces draw you in to
experience her creative spirit channeled through the movement of dance.
Featuring Cirque and top professional performers.

A young woman sat at a desk writing in her journal with a large feather pen. As he wrote, different performers came on stage performing dances that expressed the various sides of her personality. IF she took a step back so would the dancer. Performers expressed passion, yearning and some amazing acts of balance and dexterity. What the write imagined, came to life. One performer did amazing things with close to a dozen hula hoops.

On particularly strong piece featured spoken word that was about overcoming a lifetime of bullying. The performers realized their inner beauty despite the history of abuse. Megan Crawford, a local dancer sailed light as a feather in her muscular partners arms. The powerful spoken word and the graceful dancing was truly moving. Another couple danced a flamenco inspired dance with romantic flair. I give the show 8 out of 10 hula hoops.

LUNA is in the Pink Venue. Tickets are $10 plus a Fringe button which is needed to get into any show.

Show times are:

Friday, May 18, 2018 5:30 PM

3:00 PM 

1:45 PM 

8:45 PM 

5:30 PM 

1:30 PM 

7:00 PM

IMMERSE by the Creative City Project.

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On November 21st, the downtown street of Orange Avenue was shut down from just north of Pine Street, down towards South Street.  IMMERSE is an invitation to unexpected creative encounters in the
heart of Downtown Orlando. You’ll find yourself truly immersed in art,
performance, and interactive installations.

With collaborators like Cirque du Soleil, Orlando Philharmonic,
Orlando Ballet, and the Central Florida Community Arts Orchestra, you
won’t want to miss this evening which is unlike any other.

In 2016, the Creative City Project brought nearly 1,000 performers to
the streets and public spaces of Downtown Orlando for more than 20,000
patrons. IMMERSE 2017 continued the tradition of growth and excitement
by bringing you more large scale WOW moments and unexpected, intimate creative encounters.

From Classical to Hip-Hop music, murals, dance, acrobatics,
interactive installations, artists from Orlando, around the country, and
the around the world converge on Downtown Orlando for one of the
largest showcases of innovation and creativity in the performing and
installation arts in the country.

I hosted one of the Orlando Urban Sketch Workshops during this incredible event.   With so much going on at the same time it was difficult to decide on a single subject to sketch.  I offered personalized instruction to each Urban Sketcher and then dashed off to do a quick sketch myself.  I decided to focus on performers waiting to get on the stage next.  This gave me some time to focus on them before heading off to see the twirling dancers on the stage. 

Creative Process Workshop with Cirque Artistic Director, Daniel Ross.

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The Gallery at Avalon Island (37 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, Florida 32801) hosted a Creative Process Workshop with Cirque Artistic Director, Daniel Ross. The even I promised to bring a new level of depth and strength to attendees artistic process in this first Creative Process Workshop. The talk uncovered how to develop strong personal practices and how to work with a team of artists to bring a work to life.

The Creative City Project is honored to host the Artistic Director of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba in this evening in three parts.

First, Daniel gave insights into the Creative Process from his experience working with Cirque du Soleil all over the world.

Second, we’ll take time to answer your questions about your own Creative Process and how to develop a strong company and organization to bring your creative ideas to life.

And lastly, Daniel gave feedback on some of your works in progress. 

The Creative City Project is committed to cultivating a thriving arts community in Orlando, and this new series of workshops is just one more way we’re doing that. Don’t miss it! Reserve your spot today.

When I arrived, the talk back was well under way. I muscled my way in through the standing room only crowd to find a decent view. The room was full of choreographers, dancers, visual artists, documentary film makers, writers and actors. I recognized faces in the crowd from past sketches. Orlando has such a rich talent base. One point that came up that I firmly believe in is to create, even when the mood doesn’t suit you. So long as you keep creating on consistent schedule, then you then find you are creative than you thought you are.

Benoit Glazer at Avalon Island

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On the third Monday of each month, The Gallery at Avalon Island (39 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando Florida), hosts the In Between Series, a music series before the art goes on the wall for Third Thursday. June was a bit different because the nude photos by Yuri Maiorov  stayed on the walls until a fee the concert. Benoit Glazer usually hosts concerts in his custom built acoustic living room in the White House, he works at Cirque Du Soleil in Downtown Disney as the composer. He was on the trumpet along with Dan Jordan, Doug Matthews and Bobby Koelble some of the
greatest jazz musicians from Central Florida.

There were lofty sounds from flutes and clarinets, African flavors, and funky
odd meters, with a touch of sad ballads and angry mobs. The music related the story of a storyteller. It was about 2 boy named Abu, and his muse Lela. The music ebbed and flowed with intensity. The event was catered by Maxine’s on Shine.