Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Megan McGrath and Kira Pearson


Working with Bradòg Dominick Drop In Center

Megan McGrath [Tisch] and Kira Pearson [Tisch]

“Art is a fruit that grows in man, like a fruit on a plant, or a child in its mother's womb.”
-Jean Arp

We’re so happy and proud to present this variety show. For the past two months, we’ve had the pleasure to work with this great group of girls.
We came to Dublin to work on a community arts project, and got placed with an energetic, music-loving bunch of teens. We asked them what kind of project they’d be interested in, and they quickly decided that they wanted to create a variety show with songs from their favourite movies. This footage shows the girls presenting the culmination of their hard work and great rehearsals.
This project was not about a finished product as much as it was about the process. The exchange between the group and ourselves during rehearsals was enormous, both artistically and personally. Through the process of choreographing and practicing dances, getting up the courage to sing, and giving each other the permission to experiment and collaborate, the girls have grown as performers, and we have grown as collaborative artists. We believe that the show was a celebration of their work and the artistic/ cultural exchange that we experienced.
During the past two months, they were able to express themselves and had a time and place to show their personalities and talents. We were able to bring a different point of view to the table as actresses and theatre students. In rehearsals we tested their boundaries through games, experiments, and exercises. Writing, acting, moving like maniacs…. sometimes it got a little crazy! But, it was always informative and fruitful.
From the beginning, we wanted to work with a group who wanted to learn more about themselves as artists. With the girls, we planted a seed. This variety show was the sprout that emerged from their fertile souls. We can see their budding interest and skill, and we’re confident that they will continue to grow in many ways.
Here’s to growth!

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