Dancing In the Dark & Digital Challenges

I have just finished a technical rehearsal in preparation, for further rehearsals the following day.

It has gone well and working in the actual space with Technicians and later on with other digital creatives. To perform and share an extract/work in progress to a specially invited audience. With humming video screens in effect,this has been a great , a very new experience as a live performer !

A good amount of patience, care diligence , understanding, communication skills, is needed working with a range of digital equipment . Technology changes, at a rapid rate, components prices vary widely in price and functions. A specific digital brief and spec , with back up plans b's is also essential in the event of any mishaps, or the expected gremlins -as I call them that can turn up anywhere ,there is a conglomeration of electronic items in close proximity . Flexibility continues to be key , to be able to adapt very quickly and with some confidence, for problem solving at a rapid rate . Whilst remaining very positive but coolly realistic - not for one minute losing the vision of your work . Strong team work and collaboration, comes to the fore here and highlights - clearly , the interdependency , support of creative colleagues - in a joint endeavour . It is however a real buzz ,sharing our individual mutual satisfaction and delight in the work. As as it begins to take beautiful shape before our very eyes - is what is all about !

Testing Testing 123 - Digital Visual Blast Off !

After holiday inertia coughs and colds, Sean and Andy (digital performance platform visuals and lighting design respectively with myself . Have done us proud with testing all the technical kit acquired Mac Mini etc) and electronic bits and gummings, in preparation for our first sharing , work in progress , at a theatre later this month. In addition to it also being preparatory work for our project installation later in the year at a local digital media centre. The three days testing at De Montfort Performing Arts Centre of Excellence Studio included filming footage of a character solo dance sequence with Louise and Sally , also for the sharing . All this has gone really well and I had a chance to really experience fully and not just visualize, the whole performance staging area , in relation to the different screens with the lighting. A new and challenging experience having not performed with moving digital visual in quite this way before. It presents new challenges around staging movement i.e. blocking and lighting. See more here Sean's Blog http://www.seanclark.me.uk/the-loneliness-of-the-long-dista.html

Coming In To Light - Making It All Real

What I write below, makes me happy, very proud and relieved - to actually be making good progress,s its all becoming very real the vision - despite a lot tense moments ... (no time for blogging just go go go !) over the last number of weeks . The whole 2012 branding logo matter is finally resolved, with a partner coming to our aid and our creative design branding person saving the day ! But it highlighted a number of key issues around legal status, for a solo entrepreneurial artist like my self . I cannot emphasize enough the importance of professional bodies e.g. Equity the Society of Authors etc to support artists in this project work . Providing umbrellas and good advice etc for a small fee in consideration of the actual benefits. Professionalism and membership is critical to ones standing in the field also.

We remain in a fundraising mode - for finance for the musical components of the project and in time for touring !! However we begin the planning and preparation for some big moments - the specialist equipment , purchasing. building the prop, lighting design, and then testing, further script development staging and devising and creative design images etc. leading up to a brief sharing work/ in progress early in the new year. I am working with a new staging/ deviser with a truly impressive track record and similar tastes and interest in theatre. GREAT I am very excited about all that. so we move closer to standing everything up on its feet, to see and learn what works and what may not ...2012 the new year is filled with anticipation, excitement and a feeing of getting to our destination !!

So I say to the world shine a light , Dare to Diva are in residence at Phoenix Arts Digital Media Centre Leicester, busy , developing their new innovative multi- disciplinary arts project 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Diva - A Choreopoem' written and performed by Carol Leeming. The production is set to debut at Curve Theare June 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

This highly talented collaborative creative team includes , choreographer Louise Katerega filmaker Sally Hossack , digital Designer, Sean Clark staging/deviser Kim Jackson, lighitng designer Andy Elston, and Mina Gadhia Costume Maker. Earlier in the project Sarah Dickenson was Dramaturg as part of the Apples & Snakes Evolve program. Project partners include Apples & Snakes, Phoenix Digital Media Centre, Curve Theatre, Peepul Centre. With support from Igniting Ambition and Arts Council Engand.