amy jane stephenson

Some images from the recent inspiring workshop in Latvia. Photos courtesy of Global Theatre Experience.

Why do people think artists are special? It’s just another job.

                                                                                     -Andy Warhol

Art actually requires huge amounts of research and thought and it really is a full time job putting together an exhibition or show. Perhaps sometimes people are too quick to judge a piece of art or live performance without actually thinking about the underlying ideas and message the artist is trying to portray. Even if I didn’t particulary connect with a show, I’ll at least try to understand the directors motivation for their choices. Most works out there have the equivalent of a Masters research paper supporting the body of work and this is sometimes forgotton.

Next time you see a show or wander through an exhibition, give a thought to the hours of research the artist has put into the work, afterall they’re trying to say something to you.

I’m currently performing in Polyglot Puppet Theatre’s show titled The Big Game. It’s a huge interactive board game designed for kids of all ages to get in on the action. It begins with a 30 minute performance followed by interactive play, where the children are able to get up close to the characters and challenge each other to win the game.

The Big Game has been made in collaboration with children from the Carlton high rise commission flats in Melbourne and has their creative ideas and images throughout the whole concept. It’s a fantastic show, with beautifully composed live music adding to the atmosphere.

The Age have an article about the show which can be viewed by clicking here.

It’s running until the October 26th if you want to catch the show…even better if you can’t find a babysitter.

As always with the Fringe Festival there are some shows which are little gems. Isabel Hertaeg’s cabaret all about sex is a shiny red one. Her fusion of vocal skills and comic actions are supported by extensive research into the subject matter which varies from painful love scenarios to vibrators powered by steam engines.

La Petite Mort kept me smiling and blushing throughout the piece and is the perfect night out for some pure naughty entertainment. It’s on until the October 12th at the Northcote Town Hall for those of you in Melbourne. Or check out her website: http://www.myspace.com/lapetitemorttheorgasm

Melbourne Theatre Company are currently showing this suitable, Australian play at the Fairfax Studio. It showcases the talents of just two actors, who are onstage for the entire 90 minute piece (an astounding effort).

As the round stage creeps slowly on its axis, we are drawn into the trials of long-term love with all the arguments, memories and lustful touching. We watch in all its sadness how relationships can breakdown and with it, all emotional barriers. But as we find out, this raw bearing of ones soul can lead to one fleeing from the other despite deeply caring for them.

I describe this as a ’suitable’ play, because love is something we all crave understanding and insight into. Let the stage be a place to explore and expose love in all its beauty and betrayal.

Along with the costumes (many of which were from the Ballet), the designers sketches and photographs of the dancers giving life to the peices were on display.  It is an artform which requires huge talent; from those initial sketches which need to capture the Director’s eye, to choosing the right fabrics and then sewing it all together in a way that the performer has flexibility.

The final product is a crafted,  moving sculpture.

Recently when strolling the streets of Melbourne in search of a new apartment I can call home, I noticed a quote hung up in a boutique window: Art is what makes you think.

I like the simple explanation of what art means to this person, there are so many lengthy, philosophical publications about what role art plays in society. Although I feel there needs to be deep ideas and connotations about and in art, I also feel sometimes it needs to be boiled down and simplified , in order to be accessible. I think i would add to the quote: Art is what makes you feel and then it makes you think. Because a great performance for me is about arousing emotion, which in turn encourages the spectator to think and question why they felt that way.

I shall return to the real estate page in search of a sunny home, now how does that make me feel…

Recently I attended a physical theatre workshop in Malpils, Latvia with the Global Theatre Experience. Russian director, Sergei Ostrenko took us through many fantastic techniques, most of which were from Meyerhold, Stanislavski and Chekhov. Each morning we would do an hour of adapted Thai Chi which was a gentle way to awaken the inner and outer body.

We were always racking our brains to remember the tasks of the day and scribble them down into our books for future use. Above is an extract from my journal with some of the movements from Meyerhold’s Throwing the Stone étude.

Ostrenko talked about one of the keys to biomechanics being the counter-movement or the spring in the body. Before any movement, the body goes in the reverse direction in preparation before carrying out the action. For example when you throw a ball, you draw your arm backwards before you throw it forwards. This is a simplistic example, but this technique can be applied to every single action, even drinking a cup of tea!

After learning this technique I’ve noticed how much more ‘full’ an action is and also the increased awareness of the performer. Plus it can be applied to everyday life, the counter-movement of buying a t-shirt is to work for the money first.

After living two years abroad, I am now settling into the creative life in Melbourne. Looking forward to exploring the arts in a new city and getting to know where the best cup of tea and cheesecake are!