Community Performance Residencies Combining Art and Ecology
Artists work in residence with local participants to research local stories and concerns about Water. These local details are mixed with other scenes that investigate and honor our universal Water Commons. The work becomes a joyful blend of professional artists and community participants—inter-generational, inter-cultural, poetically beautiful, and funkily fun—it binds an entire community together as Water Protectors in considering their intrinsic relationship with Water.
Participants aid in the brainstorming, and in the creation of puppets to craft a series of scenes that then fit together for the arc of the whole piece. Everyone learns performance skills through the rehearsal process and enter into the final work as a united team.
The effect is electric. A whole team of people in the local place are ignited by art with renewed resolve to care for their water with expanded awareness for the universal Commons of Water. This immersive residency lasts two to three weeks, creating an excellent opportunity for local ecological groups, art groups, and community participants to work together. All ages are welcome—a unique inter-generational experience.
Note: Although In the Heart of the Beast Theatre is no longer sponsoring these residencies, you can contact Sandy Spieler directly: [email protected]
Plan a residency in your community! Contact Sandy Spieler : [email protected]
Some Examples of Past Residencies:
Bemidji, Minnesota · 2009
Near the headwaters of the Mississippi River
3 week residency sponsored by the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts, and the Bemidji Art Center.
Created by partners Sandy Spieler, Masanari Kawahara, Paul Robinson, Julie Boada, Lindsay McCaw, Harry Kingham.
Ely, Minnesota · 2009
Near the entrance to the Boundary Waters
2 week residency sponsored by the Northern Lakes Arts Association.
Created by partners Sandy Spieler, Masanari Kawahara, Julie Boada, Stacy Lee King, Lindsay McCaw, Esther Ouray.
Fargo, ND - Moorhead, MN 2010
Near the banks of the Red River
3 week residency sponsored by the Plains Art Museum and Trollwood Art Center.
Created by partners Sandy Spieler, Masanari Kawahara, Paul Robinson, Stacy Lee King, Blake Love, Lindsay McCaw, Seth Eberle.
Winona, Minnesota · 2008
Enacted in many locations in Winona
“Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water”. A year long, extensive collaboration between the City of Winona, Winona State University, Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical, Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board, County of Winona, and In the Heart of the Beast Theatre.
Created by partners Sandy Spieler, Masanari Kawahara and Malia Burkhart.
