Weavings focused on the story of two weavers who met on the road and got into an argument about who was the better weaver, ie. who shines the brightest? They agree to engage in three weaving games each designed to tell a story about the “lovers,” “animals,” and the “wonder of small things.” The weaver who won two out of three would be declared the best weaver. As the story unfolded it became clear how difficult it was to decide who was best. In the end, they decided that they both had much to share and that outcome was that together “we shine brightest.”
One of our key goals with Weavings was to enhance the perceptual and artistic experiences of a diverse audience—some of whom were be new to such interactive theatres. As a result, the actual performance event had two phases. 1) First, we developed a Pre-Show Lecture-Demo, which prepared the audience for the performance style and the Peace Stories of a Multisensory Theatre Experience. We used multisensory methods for engaging the audience with the talk and the theatre demonstration excerpt through talking, captions, signing, and audio description. We also used interactive techniques through a mini-sensory workshop, where they touched some of the props, costumes, and sound sculptures; tried out signature movements of the performers; and moved through the interactive spaces of the theatre installation. 2) Second, the theatre work itself was a collaboratively devised multisensory performance that revolved around New Peace Stories offered a heightened immersive experience. These approaches all interwove local knowledges with diverse forms of technical know-how, problem-solving, and expressivities.
*Performers entangled in a large spider web. To the right, a twisted, vine-like tree sculpture glows with warm under-lighting. A bright abstract projection shines on a central screen against a dark backdrop.
*Four performers in a line, two holding a sound instrument, one holding a staff, the other staring off. Behind them are branches of a tree and some performers clustered together.
*An ensemble of three performers is interconnected by a white rope which is a large-scale cat’s cradle next to a twisted, glowing tree sculpture. Two performers are inside the cat’s cradle; the man is kneeling on the floor with his arms raised. The woman with her head bowed toward the man is clasping his hands with both her hands. A warmly lit atmosphere is heightened by the light from background real-time projection of the performers.
*The performance segment blends puppetry and digital projection under dramatic lighting. In the foreground, two men perform with intense expressions and gestures. Behind them, others manipulate their puppets against wooden frames and a yellow string web. A blue-tinted screen displays live-feed imagery.
