*A participant holds a mountain-shaped structure crafted from paper and dry twigs, carefully feeling its unique shape and texture through tactile sensations. while another participant nearby watches.
*Participants practices an expressive movements. In the foreground, hands are raised in a high-five gesture, framing Dr. Kanta in a purple and yellow tunic who points mid-direction.
*Kalamandalam Raman Chakkyar in white traditional attire leads a Kutiyattam workshop. He sits before a group of seated students who are mirroring his intricate mudras.
*A participant in a maroon shirt rests his hand on a digital keyboard to experience music through vibrations. Behind him, the participants sits in chairs, observing this unique musical interaction.
Our goal is the co-creation of a cross-cultural model for more inclusive approaches to participation in eco-theatre initiatives revolve around protecting the environment. Our objectives involve generating new performance and production skills, and new stories from diverse communities about the earth.
New performance skills involve: 1) Acting training in “Sense Methods,” a system that blends the use of mudras, ISL, and touch so that no one sensory system is privileged along with a focus on storytelling through movement, and 2) Skills in creativity, collaboration, transdisciplinary arts research, accessible music, and accessible rehearsal techniques enhance the reach of the performance.
New production skills revolve around training in accessible staging techniques for a mixed ability performance team, for the staging of mainstream performances, and digital literacy for online events, webinars, and performances that target New Audiences, particularly members of the disability community.
New stories will include creative renditions of 1) A set of Indian mountain stories collected for In the Blue Houses Dream the Mountains, but not yet staged; and 2) Co-created composite mountain stories that highlight storytelling through “Sense Methods.”
