Taking a viewpoints workshop in Vancouver with Siti Company instructors
Day 1
“I am not qualified to teach movement. I am somewhat qualified to teach viewpoints” –J. Ed Araiza, SITI company viewpoints instructor
some notes in no particular order
– I am incredibly tired. The work is absorbing and draining. Mentally and physically exhausting due to the total focus necessary. Of course getting up earlier than i have lately part of that too.
– I am reminded how much I love doing viewpoints. There is a beautiful freedom in the restrictions and instructions that are given
– I find it funny being in these classes where I am clearly not a performer but the instructors don’t realize it. Then I usually catch on later and they often look at me like I’m a retard who finally learned how to clap (sorry not pc. Sorry). The whole thing kind of makes me laugh.
– Our instructors Ellen Lauren and J. Ed Araiza are incredible. they waste nothing and are not afraid to kick ass. Their intensity is awesome though it manifests itself in different ways. Ellen is more of the drill sergeant while J. Ed is gentler. Yet both are still intense, precise and focused. I can’t explain why but their super dedication and precise focus kind of makes me laugh. I can’t explain why, it’s not a bad thing.
– Am doing a bad job of memorizing lines from Macbeth, but it makes me think about the play as the terrible nightmare of a child killer who’s own ego tells him what he wants to hear (i.e. the witches). “ But wherefore could not I pronounce ‘Amen’? I had the most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ stuck in my throat’
– It is an amazing group of people I am working with. I have never done a workshop with a group who seems at least to be so willing and committed. There is relatively very little hesitancy. It helps that almost everyone has some exposure to at least viewpoints if not both. Still it is almost competitive when it comes to volunteers.
“I felt as though the Viewpoints format allowed me the opportunity to express beyond my habits and shields. However, more than the format that is Viewpoints, I felt that Rita’s direction that enabled me to notice what was making me limit myself, and encouraged me to move beyond those limits to a place of purpose and openness. I feel as though in the workshop I saw moments of my potential as an artist, moments I haven’t seen in myself in quite some time.”
– leda davies S-A-B workshop #2, viewpoints
“These Deeds must not be thought
After these ways; so, it will make us mad.” – Lady MacB
Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre
