tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77792512038749126752024-03-12T16:24:04.026-07:00Mara's TreehouseLiving the artist’s life in New York City. I am the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Treehouse Shakers, a non-profit dance and theater company, which I co-founded 26 years ago. I am also a writer, director, actor, storyteller, tree hugger and mother. Creativity is my everyday roadmap. www.treehouseshakers.comMara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-65225470280247070842023-09-14T13:14:00.009-07:002023-09-15T18:21:36.187-07:00The Art of Creating Change<p>I've been creating and shaping Treehouse Shakers for 26 years. And over these 26 years, I have written, directed or produced over 20 original shows. When I started the company with my friend/business/creative partner, Emily Bunning, theater was a man's world. Men were the directors. The majority of plays, that were the industry standards, written by men. I had been raised on the writings by men. Executive and Artistic Directors were men. Directors were men. Producers were men. Presented choreographers were primarily men.<br /><br />Theater felt like an uphill battle. Auditions were men behind tables. Men seemed more connected, able to network faster than I could. Oftentimes, if I was in a room full of male colleagues, they talked over me. Through me. I was the girl. Blaringly aware of my gender. When I landed one of my very first big professional NYC Acting jobs, the director, a man, left me Hershey kisses in my dressing room before the performances. Every time we were at a big celebration for the success of the show, the director would try to kiss me. The Hershey kisses symbolic. Me an object. If I had played along, perhaps I too would've been the lead in the next big project. But I didn't play along. Instead I wanted change. </p><p>I wanted to change the industry. </p><p>I am writing this, to remember the way the world was. To remind myself how far we have come as a company. And me, as an artist. The way the world was. Still remains. The last few years we have watched powerful men, taken down for their actions, for their abuses against women from decades ago. The decades I am now referring to. <br /><br />But those early years pushed me. Sparked my passion to do better. Treat others better.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlb1BM-PfIIXTHUGiGZh0ryvNZJJcPvbsjD0PTFbTMRcRhjAFxSDvdkw5DZOFVGa9w5_SzhAvM9BuIeWKkw8ScVhAY4Cgv0gG9Lgt13Y3TVMbNzSIe3u6chd_euLb1oUaR1T5KD83GlIW5k8A9Bois5e0w1wcz35UgQM4TxFETeFdiiTMYT7YAgRUaDE/s1552/DanceofMyDaughter%2097_0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1552" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlb1BM-PfIIXTHUGiGZh0ryvNZJJcPvbsjD0PTFbTMRcRhjAFxSDvdkw5DZOFVGa9w5_SzhAvM9BuIeWKkw8ScVhAY4Cgv0gG9Lgt13Y3TVMbNzSIe3u6chd_euLb1oUaR1T5KD83GlIW5k8A9Bois5e0w1wcz35UgQM4TxFETeFdiiTMYT7YAgRUaDE/w640-h340/DanceofMyDaughter%2097_0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our Very First Performance, Dance of My Daughter, Written/Directed by Mara McEwin, Choreography Emily Bunning, 1997 at Ensemble Studio Theater<br />Featured Performers: Kristina, Lara Hayes, Gillian Walsh, Virginia Jones, Valerie Green</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">All this to ALSO remember that I had so many male friends, colleagues, artists, who truly supported me. Were the cheerleaders for Treehouse Shakers. Who remain some of my closest and most loved friendships. Who have let me lean on them when I needed it most. Used their foundations, their networks, to help us climb.</span></div><p>Fast forward all these years. I am so proud of the work Treehouse Shakers has accomplished. All the plays I have directed, written, produced. Festivals I started. Awards I have helped others to receive. Artists we have supported. Young people we have inspired. Families who have been raised on our shows. Schools we have partnered alongside. The collaborations, the networks. Ways of doing things. Making theater. Creating dance. The ways of doing changed. Long before it was trendy, Treehouse Shakers worked as a collective. We have always devised with our company of artists. Today, there is a glaring tokenism in our industry, that seems to feel inauthentic. Hiring solely for diversity sake. It is degrading to the artists. Creating equity has to be more than that. True collective art-making, true equity is valuing artists. We must demand that others are heard, not spoken over. Goes back to those early years and I felt minimized, talked-over, looked-over for my gender. I still crave more for my own art-making process and success, to be truly seen for the work. But at the same time, it is the artists in our company that I also want to succeed. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8QY_g9l8mJxt7atmBeNbKUF0wHLbj90zolQkrBxqHt9E8uf_IPMXZW7GVAjELIYMj_IUilSWjWgq5TDByQECN-I1qt7X2xJMPsFNm_GjS9g8xTIctjYEZrpzvuuei8wct9ETKMUShYUTVrC_eTUJgSx_liYarNErvTQPH0O0CNJb3xMuxYn3aCop8u8/s1034/Edited%20Mara%20as%20BB%20Butterfly.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="939" height="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8QY_g9l8mJxt7atmBeNbKUF0wHLbj90zolQkrBxqHt9E8uf_IPMXZW7GVAjELIYMj_IUilSWjWgq5TDByQECN-I1qt7X2xJMPsFNm_GjS9g8xTIctjYEZrpzvuuei8wct9ETKMUShYUTVrC_eTUJgSx_liYarNErvTQPH0O0CNJb3xMuxYn3aCop8u8/w564-h621/Edited%20Mara%20as%20BB%20Butterfly.png" title="Me, in THS very first show for young people" width="564" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Our Very First Show for Young People, Flying Through Rainbows, Written/ Directed by Mara McEwin (also who acted as B.B. Butterfly), Choreography by Emily Bunning, presented as part of a larger festival I was also the Co-Founder of Pure Pop Festival, 1999<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-YwYAWqkjPGxZQb7YLQIzyT61x-YLoTvufE0jpv2nGa8LHxCZXjggVAy66A75xtot7hFjhbAeqg5V45abshF5bdsBkPCBRAoeW1ARKS0VLZstDHM9d1CmJroMGdu3nraY8LhrrPMWoMCYVD0H2nIBhLP6svBHHmXT7tUKuISG1WZ0kib8mmKGZ38WDo/s3067/Mara%20OKR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3067" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-YwYAWqkjPGxZQb7YLQIzyT61x-YLoTvufE0jpv2nGa8LHxCZXjggVAy66A75xtot7hFjhbAeqg5V45abshF5bdsBkPCBRAoeW1ARKS0VLZstDHM9d1CmJroMGdu3nraY8LhrrPMWoMCYVD0H2nIBhLP6svBHHmXT7tUKuISG1WZ0kib8mmKGZ38WDo/w500-h640/Mara%20OKR.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Outside of Kissing Rock, Written/Directed by Mara McEwin, Choreography by Emily Bunning</div><div style="text-align: center;">About the story of our lives growing up in Wyoming at HERE Arts Center, 2002</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtUz_PkmOt33u-NpxycNFuEMC3TYynAftsHv2xuhyExVCIi5hAUFyM8yhI2RVn5O2UepAouGwDPkSNJuLZF_BXjlchw8PT8-d3tD1L0FGJk5TcdvZmYq2QVnbSVfdNe1BMWOoEzdxiT5pk7vwQaxqzzyEFIRcd3d9WJkXaS2cAKWHOF4Dv_8CtvlhYI/s1654/Mara%20and%20Emily%202002%20or%202003%20on%20tour%20in%20Florida%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1654" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtUz_PkmOt33u-NpxycNFuEMC3TYynAftsHv2xuhyExVCIi5hAUFyM8yhI2RVn5O2UepAouGwDPkSNJuLZF_BXjlchw8PT8-d3tD1L0FGJk5TcdvZmYq2QVnbSVfdNe1BMWOoEzdxiT5pk7vwQaxqzzyEFIRcd3d9WJkXaS2cAKWHOF4Dv_8CtvlhYI/w640-h452/Mara%20and%20Emily%202002%20or%202003%20on%20tour%20in%20Florida%20.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mara & Emily on tour with Treehouse Shakers in Jacksonville, FL 2003</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XYCg2O72w93sxc8hb6JKSusDJTWH1bLSwT-dR9GvaIlKXTWe5e3NZnSpyDa2ygkfL2_BaD9EShW3XXrtuXWIGGQgv9djo_U2GEO9j_ZAkszUPOfCZgfSytIWJeY70D1MfwVs16pzUalfvNbjzd5mfmzaPtFShoQOZLQZqfbGHdb9c6CQ-7u6dKMNM-k/s1024/Treehouse%20Shakers%20Mara%20&%20Emily%20Smaller.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XYCg2O72w93sxc8hb6JKSusDJTWH1bLSwT-dR9GvaIlKXTWe5e3NZnSpyDa2ygkfL2_BaD9EShW3XXrtuXWIGGQgv9djo_U2GEO9j_ZAkszUPOfCZgfSytIWJeY70D1MfwVs16pzUalfvNbjzd5mfmzaPtFShoQOZLQZqfbGHdb9c6CQ-7u6dKMNM-k/w640-h512/Treehouse%20Shakers%20Mara%20&%20Emily%20Smaller.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Mara & Emily at 2023 THS' Spring Benefit, Photo Credit Christopher Claxton</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pc7kdiag0nsrtfT80cEOj8RM18_sr5DXcjpUKz9hnK2d3atzUMIHb8PByrFjNrdfFRLTPLeqgClCGSuqpw9bzPadshuRZCSheHYaFTo5qbtGLbCh9qvqmJX-ApUiuUF_lSNwDWcbuoQ5wf35FWAVoGCxAeYVJVAAO46DFPHHOKz05hwLjYU-8m3Pez8/s2902/Treehouse%20Shakers%20The%20Littlest%20Cove%20Photo%20Credit%20Christopher%20Duggan.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="2902" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pc7kdiag0nsrtfT80cEOj8RM18_sr5DXcjpUKz9hnK2d3atzUMIHb8PByrFjNrdfFRLTPLeqgClCGSuqpw9bzPadshuRZCSheHYaFTo5qbtGLbCh9qvqmJX-ApUiuUF_lSNwDWcbuoQ5wf35FWAVoGCxAeYVJVAAO46DFPHHOKz05hwLjYU-8m3Pez8/w640-h434/Treehouse%20Shakers%20The%20Littlest%20Cove%20Photo%20Credit%20Christopher%20Duggan.png" width="640" /></a>The Littlest Cove, Written/Directed by Mara McEwin, Choreography by Emily Bunning<br /> 2023 Premiere at Ailey Studio Theater<br />Featured Performers (left to right): Reginald K. Jackson, Olivia St. Peter & Katie Montoya</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM54tYoXpWegiOJL5hK9kvKoos7Cj5uIx8sk19qI8lJ8wfoebZRI4EhhfcMBFKXiBvM-eTOTZsOJBrKRCsjqfplms7gvUlXuF53RB4URlU8zhdrQOQQFSjTOt0efw-2D1IlLRnoYxdTC8c54LtZyaEM3ai3p8zGVQ582gYz655vPWGuS9HenE_zw4tzyE/s3000/20230330_TreehouseShakers-DeepestBreath_ChristopherDuggan_095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM54tYoXpWegiOJL5hK9kvKoos7Cj5uIx8sk19qI8lJ8wfoebZRI4EhhfcMBFKXiBvM-eTOTZsOJBrKRCsjqfplms7gvUlXuF53RB4URlU8zhdrQOQQFSjTOt0efw-2D1IlLRnoYxdTC8c54LtZyaEM3ai3p8zGVQ582gYz655vPWGuS9HenE_zw4tzyE/w640-h426/20230330_TreehouseShakers-DeepestBreath_ChristopherDuggan_095.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Deepest Breath, Based on the book by Meg Grehan, Written/Directed by Cheyenne Mesura, Choreography by Ashley Chavonne</div><div style="text-align: center;">2023 Premiere at Manhattan Arts & Movement Center<br />Featured Performers (left to right): Olivia St. Peter, Aria Publicover, Ella Leh, Barry J. Gold</div></div>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-50237427177056470982023-03-20T08:08:00.016-07:002023-09-14T14:56:05.794-07:00The Deepest Breath Premieres: A Conversation with Director, Cheyenne Mesura<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8CEDnIb6dNEjYSMhsJO283MY1jqj-2Ro03uJSIl465NQLYlNeaUsAREcXQI4ADgNxtsWftmEmguSXAiqESwpQjXAdoAnJ5ZI7Kia5xqcQzFtuR6cOAEg9lJepDcCv1LXwErK8lQpb_a6POjcjGB7lG_7ItSrmkZeO4smwMKwaDzWI0iHGpHK6NaJEew/s3000/TreehouseShakers%20Deepest%20Breath%20Photo%20Credit%20Christopher%20Duggan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8CEDnIb6dNEjYSMhsJO283MY1jqj-2Ro03uJSIl465NQLYlNeaUsAREcXQI4ADgNxtsWftmEmguSXAiqESwpQjXAdoAnJ5ZI7Kia5xqcQzFtuR6cOAEg9lJepDcCv1LXwErK8lQpb_a6POjcjGB7lG_7ItSrmkZeO4smwMKwaDzWI0iHGpHK6NaJEew/w640-h426/TreehouseShakers%20Deepest%20Breath%20Photo%20Credit%20Christopher%20Duggan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Treehouse Shakers' The Deepest Breath, Written/Directed by Cheyenne Mesura, Choreography by Ashley Chavonne, Photo by Christopher Duggan</div><p>After years in the making/incubation process, <a href="https://treehouseshakers.com/" target="_blank">Treehouse Shakers</a> has brought our LGBTQIA+ programming to the forefront. This past year, we were able to add an incredible member full-time to both our administrative and our artistic team, Cheyenne Mesura. Last Summer, Cheyenne, who had previously worked as our Education Coordinator, began working again with Treehouse Shakers as the Program Director of LGBTQIA+ programming. We wanted to implement the Branching OUT school programming in-person, while also begin the artistic work on The Deepest Breath. The Deepest Breath, the play, based on the Y/A book by <a href="https://www.greenlightbookstore.com/book/9780358732976" target="_blank">Meg Grehan</a>, was an idea Cheyenne had which they approached me about 2 years ago during the pandemic. Since then, I was able to secure the rights for the book, find necessary funding, and Treehouse Shakers began the exciting journey of producing the play. This month, this beautiful and necessary piece for ages 9-13, premieres. I asked Cheyenne a few questions about the making of <b><a href="https://deepestbreath.eventbrite.com" target="_blank">The Deepest Breath</a></b> and the challenges. Their answers are below.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibPbbDkbZHNBGymrTYYLBIUN2EiQTKu0tC3sB3wGQmnBCQirKMx9U4wB940vtM2pGnBD9gwWuwLh94jWHKdiZFeg9FgnB9Iv_gWJxK6FKKtr5JMD2Io2kcbeH4tpkICBWjB1raTKmAIzcKRVIJSmIUUQNQRDpO04hFuZb9iwYSHcsXvm-jQQzkqiE3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2492" data-original-width="1994" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibPbbDkbZHNBGymrTYYLBIUN2EiQTKu0tC3sB3wGQmnBCQirKMx9U4wB940vtM2pGnBD9gwWuwLh94jWHKdiZFeg9FgnB9Iv_gWJxK6FKKtr5JMD2Io2kcbeH4tpkICBWjB1raTKmAIzcKRVIJSmIUUQNQRDpO04hFuZb9iwYSHcsXvm-jQQzkqiE3=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>Cheyenne Mesura (they/them)</b></div><p></p><p><b>As an artist, what do you find the most valuable about working on a piece like The Deepest Breath that not only explores identity for a young person, but also anxiety?</b></p><p>The best part of working on the Deepest Breath was getting to create with other queer artists. The relationships I have with my cast and the choreographer, are so special and I’m grateful to have been fostering a rehearsal space that was so honest. I think the most important thing when creating is authenticity and working with actors who have shared identities and experiences to the script and also each other just help create a positive and empowering space. </p><p>Walking into the project, I wanted to make sure that my actors felt empowered with the choices that they made so that young people would also feel that same sense of empowerment by seeing the show and I think together we’ve found that by forming our own little community in rehearsal. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jV47_FdQVCIEpCe9LOBHd4VFrzLDsGVFmnFJS2tSORHwf1QLpCFAxCmEAvmEw2UzfE8GftoXWxpTXeuCEJ4O92p90bRMEKS08H6Waf7K0Iu2WmdVGMnJLYt6SS78AZ9wEB4P3GOvLYC-6bb7or_eYjoANQnsaQi0pDJm1Eo8Gd_X_JsWBwrfR2Ms/s800/Smaller%20Closer%20Full%20Cropped.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jV47_FdQVCIEpCe9LOBHd4VFrzLDsGVFmnFJS2tSORHwf1QLpCFAxCmEAvmEw2UzfE8GftoXWxpTXeuCEJ4O92p90bRMEKS08H6Waf7K0Iu2WmdVGMnJLYt6SS78AZ9wEB4P3GOvLYC-6bb7or_eYjoANQnsaQi0pDJm1Eo8Gd_X_JsWBwrfR2Ms/w640-h426/Smaller%20Closer%20Full%20Cropped.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Why is the Deepest Breath an important show for young people to see? Why did you choose this book to create a show from?</b></p><p>I read this book in the pandemic and fell in love with it. It was such a beautifully written book that I immediately saw as a show. I felt so much love from this book and I wanted to share that with others. It felt so much more positive and normal to be Queer when I was reading this book than other books and movies I’ve watched. I felt that the main character’s view of themselves was so much more the focus rather than how other people responded to a character for being Queer. I believe in a future where “coming out” isn’t automatically associated with getting bullied or rejected from those you love. The first adult I came out to when I was 20 simply looked at me, smiled and said “you know who you are” and just that simple comment made me dream of a world where people aren’t scared of how others are going to respond when they share a piece of them with the world. So my goal with creating Queer theater for kids, is to help give them that response. So that through theater, they can feel like someone is walking right next to them saying, “You know who you are, and nothing about you is undeserving of love."</p><p><b>What do you hope young people leave with after seeing the show?</b></p><p>I hope that anyone who sees the show feels that they are 100% allowed to take up space and authentically be themselves in this world. I am tired of the world making LGBTQIA+ folks feel small and that they don’t belong in certain places. WE DO! We exist and we should get to live our lives with joy and without fear. I hope others in the community feel celebrated and heard when they see this show. </p><p><b>What has made this process stand out from other processes?</b></p><p>Being the director, I got the freedom to explore what I wanted the process to look like. I wanted to do things differently and work from the framework that prioritized mental health and really celebrated who each actor is as a person. I don’t believe that it’s possible to separate yourself from the art when your identity is the center of the project. I always encouraged my actors to ask questions and talk openly about what they bring into the space each day is showing up in their work. Since we worked on the project in rehearsal over 7 months, I prioritized building relationships and getting to know my actors as people and not just performers and that truly allowed for space to focus on specific moments for longer periods of time and bring out more emotion from the script.</p><p><b>Thank You Cheyenne for bringing this work to life!</b></p><p><b>The Deepest Breath premieres March 30-April 2, 2023<br />Tickets Can Be Purchased <a href="https://deepestbreath.eventbrite.com" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX1llzBJfAmeD1a761IRHkhoiP27StLm72lyYK1GB9703eD8PK56gndrCG_khV48uyzl9M3tdfBnxVLSjZ-gqGFHaxU7d_Ji_opCCxLXQIqyQn7o4sBsWhan7j-62yzze9FGr5hnOCDWR82ejcBXxSFy2F_PC1SCzxC6HKmtLYLE6Gx1Z5IjbEUbd/s4421/TDB_36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="4421" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX1llzBJfAmeD1a761IRHkhoiP27StLm72lyYK1GB9703eD8PK56gndrCG_khV48uyzl9M3tdfBnxVLSjZ-gqGFHaxU7d_Ji_opCCxLXQIqyQn7o4sBsWhan7j-62yzze9FGr5hnOCDWR82ejcBXxSFy2F_PC1SCzxC6HKmtLYLE6Gx1Z5IjbEUbd/w640-h556/TDB_36.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Photos by Matt Dixon (he/him)</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>More About Treehouse Shakers' The Deepest Breath</b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Join us on a bubbling aquatic adventure of bravery & self-love<br /></b><b>For Ages 9-13</b></div></b><p>Treehouse Shakers' The Deepest Breath, is for ages 9-13 and their families. Based on the book by Meg Grehan, adapted/directed by Cheyenne Mesura, with choreography by Ashley Chavonne in collaboration with the performers, The Deepest Breath centers on Stevie, a young girl who LOVES to read. After realizing that there are so many things to learn about, Stevie experiences anxiety. As her anxious thoughts take over, Stevie focuses on learning about EVERY creature in the ocean in hope that she can unravel her thoughts and make sense of these new feelings. There is just one thing that Stevie can’t stop thinking about…why does she get a fizzy feeling in her stomach when she looks at her friend Chloe? </p><p>Audiences are invited to join Stevie on a bubbling, aquatic adventure of acceptance and self-love as her curiosity leads her to uncover more about the world and herself. Told through original theater and dance, The Deepest Breath is an inquisitive and honest story that welcomes young people to be brave in a world full of unknowns. Join Treehouse Shakers’ for this new premiere that celebrates LGBTQIA+ identities.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf-OGA9ckNdpXXG0eSe81td8Wn_BRH2kfAvby6jJay_yd9eeIFqdMc2yP5JYhAya_lEa_161plEkJMv7wX2i8qObpiMX2Z_WC8Kyypxiw92K78SGzPLd7FK3bx7-R22yYAzmTZdQ9iV-r9YDYlH7X9VP3DNlkMt893xm3N80jRidh3Lkvk_y0Z--U/s5000/Deepest%20Breath%20Social_2%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2617" data-original-width="5000" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf-OGA9ckNdpXXG0eSe81td8Wn_BRH2kfAvby6jJay_yd9eeIFqdMc2yP5JYhAya_lEa_161plEkJMv7wX2i8qObpiMX2Z_WC8Kyypxiw92K78SGzPLd7FK3bx7-R22yYAzmTZdQ9iV-r9YDYlH7X9VP3DNlkMt893xm3N80jRidh3Lkvk_y0Z--U/w640-h334/Deepest%20Breath%20Social_2%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Treehouse Shakers’ The Deepest Breath<br />Based on the Book by Meg Grehan<br />Adapted for Stage & Directed by Cheyenne Mesura<br />Choreography By Ashley Chavonne,</p><p>In collaboration with the Performers<br />Aria Publicover, Barry J. Gold, Ella Leh, Olivia St. Peter</p><p>Original Music by Martyn Axe<br />Costumes by Patti Gilstrap<br />Scenic Design by Skylar Back<br />Lighting by Jacob Zedak</p><p><i>This program is made possible, in part, by Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) project of Tides Center, public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Individual Contributions to Treehouse Shakers. This event is presented by Treehouse Shakers. </i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-32067235221075382452022-03-06T17:50:00.005-08:002022-03-07T16:38:08.393-08:00Treehouse Shakers' New Show For Babies: Flutter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT8PsIVdOgH5ROA5XofcW8xCBbv3AP13ur9BxkrtXo9-5gKbqE-i27jx46OZDGCSiuYY_HbvR2g1_JoLPrEV8VSNQnIQtMAFYeqb1ZX80krHzB8Gf6RXF4JBYvndync-IdPzOBtXWa2rG1c9fdymcqGpUEj_z94KbDpCQmmEnPxGJ1U0rZ_AtMU6VY=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT8PsIVdOgH5ROA5XofcW8xCBbv3AP13ur9BxkrtXo9-5gKbqE-i27jx46OZDGCSiuYY_HbvR2g1_JoLPrEV8VSNQnIQtMAFYeqb1ZX80krHzB8Gf6RXF4JBYvndync-IdPzOBtXWa2rG1c9fdymcqGpUEj_z94KbDpCQmmEnPxGJ1U0rZ_AtMU6VY=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div>After two years, Treehouse Shakers has finally returned to live performances with our new show for babies, Flutter, for ages 6-18 months. Flutter began the rehearsal process in December 2019, after several years of planning and imagining. By the beginning of 2020, though, we had returned to tour with several other Treehouse shows, and had planned on returning to the creation process by the spring. Then, suddenly, the world shut down due to the pandemic. <br /><br />During the pandemic we quickly pivoted to a virtual performance space. It is hard to collaborate, create dance, stage blocking, sing over zoom. Which meant we were forced to put Flutter on hold. We patiently waited for the virus numbers to get better, and for the vaccines to become available. By June of 2021, we were able to gather safely. And so we began creating together once again. We were able to collaborate with our incredible performers Ashley Chavonne, Ashley Ervin, Miranda Wilson, Katie Montoya and Max Gayford, to finish. We then paused in August, as we finished up several other virtual projects, to return to rehearsals in full force by September. By October we were determined to present the piece in November. One big obstacle, none of the NYC theaters we normally presented in, were yet open. Theaters that were open, were seemingly already booked. Luckily, the piece is created to be small and intimate. Eventually, we found two different studio spaces in both Brooklyn and Manhattan.<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ_I0p7l22PqTqbtPZYEC7B1nY-aLSoKA4VeJumLdi2TN9-EYWn4u4f6YibdDy36nTDFn0ndEbzrBLI0_Ok2_4sgNzuiC48lABgmYE_b_ZEOQT3eo-NQjF8evk_2T5huuzaYJnAKd851HeQpN3R6FfgCe-T1ZOhK6YrGLHb2jcCR569Ruxk7bXcb0Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ_I0p7l22PqTqbtPZYEC7B1nY-aLSoKA4VeJumLdi2TN9-EYWn4u4f6YibdDy36nTDFn0ndEbzrBLI0_Ok2_4sgNzuiC48lABgmYE_b_ZEOQT3eo-NQjF8evk_2T5huuzaYJnAKd851HeQpN3R6FfgCe-T1ZOhK6YrGLHb2jcCR569Ruxk7bXcb0Q=w480-h640" title="Before the show, cast and Emily and Mara" width="480" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.louisathompsondesign.com/" target=""></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.louisathompsondesign.com/" target=""></a><br /></div>The design and physical creation of the set, puppets and costumes came together very quickly. Our design team is an incredible group of designers: scenic design by <a href="https://www.louisathompsondesign.com/">Louisa Thompson</a> and Jung Griffin, along with our long-time partners Ben Demarest (Lighting), Patti Gilstrap (Puppetry and Costumes) and Anthony Rizzo (Music Composition.) The show was quickly transformed into a beautiful and exquisitely-made performance for babies. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFta6IY9vRvoTMBOGIMcHOvrH9v4AhXoJE0bJSVWccy3bPwQJh74MrLjMZf52pDXWBytnDFjIZdDzSu9s0o_1cRymux7sLuIIJ8zlH52tQPoS02Qyhn4NV6vybgWNXTyjMKS3g7Gmh_mBGRhXq1t68rRiXmd4pKyZj00BcKJVVMcH6m1CGuyTjzVa8=s3000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFta6IY9vRvoTMBOGIMcHOvrH9v4AhXoJE0bJSVWccy3bPwQJh74MrLjMZf52pDXWBytnDFjIZdDzSu9s0o_1cRymux7sLuIIJ8zlH52tQPoS02Qyhn4NV6vybgWNXTyjMKS3g7Gmh_mBGRhXq1t68rRiXmd4pKyZj00BcKJVVMcH6m1CGuyTjzVa8=w222-h334" width="222" /></a></div><p>Conceived and written by myself, with choreography by Emily Bunning, Flutter explores the seasons through a sensory experiential journey of visuals, sounds, objects, some language, and an open concept of play. Using a non-traditional theatrical set-up, the audience is immediately transformed into a nurturing and welcoming space created by the feeling and ambience of the piece. As the piece begins, caregivers and babies are seated in the round, with the performance in the center. Using original music creates the seasons’ tone, and ambience; music being the first language for the very young mind. Babies and toddlers have the freedom to crawl, walk, and move within the space, investigate hands-on textures, crawl and climb while experiencing the language/sounds/music and engaging visuals. <br /><br />We were worried audiences wouldn't come. These were the youngest of audiences. But by the end of our run, we had wonderful houses. Our performance space filled with. the sounds of babies cooing, laughing and and awing. Their parents laughing with delight at their babies reactions. The show was a success. Parents were truly excited to bring their babies to see something, and to interact with one another. As one mother said to me, "We have pandemic babies, they haven't had a lot of social interaction."<br /><br />We are pleased to announce that Flutter will return this Spring. Dates and Information below. If you are in NYC area and have a baby aged 6-18months, we hope you will join us! Seating is limited. See you at the theater!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilga2Izc4WbWJmkQWJ-oXv5vrTbHL5VURRdvaR8Ygng91JD3nWZjb--Zg52yhBlr4pKdVdIN4uVW6pvhmAcIOln3V43jM__3PtlEieBQ7nWxLvwBqHYonEozCPcjYmpvr1dxYIS_eyPdZwmzXUyIkj9okHWNS7tNYzsp_5Vrlkf82A5XG96cpFqsE0=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilga2Izc4WbWJmkQWJ-oXv5vrTbHL5VURRdvaR8Ygng91JD3nWZjb--Zg52yhBlr4pKdVdIN4uVW6pvhmAcIOln3V43jM__3PtlEieBQ7nWxLvwBqHYonEozCPcjYmpvr1dxYIS_eyPdZwmzXUyIkj9okHWNS7tNYzsp_5Vrlkf82A5XG96cpFqsE0=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div></div><p><span></span><span></span><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><b><br />What: </b> Treehouse Shakers’ Flutter: A Discovery Play for Babies (In Manhattan)<br /><b>When:</b> Saturday, April 2, 2022 & Sunday, April 3, 2022 <br /><b>Times:</b><b> </b> 10:00AM & 11:30AM<br /><b>Where:</b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>New York Live Arts<br /> 219 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011<br /><b>Tickets:</b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://flutterny.eventbrite.com">https://flutterny.eventbrite.com</a><p></p><p><b>When:</b> Saturday, April 30, 2022 & Sunday, May 1, 2022<br /><b>Times:</b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>10:15AM & 11:30AM<br /><b>Where:</b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Great Room, A.R.T./New York<br /><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>138 South Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11217<br /><b>Tickets:</b> <a href="https://flutterbklyn.eventbrite.com" target="_blank"> https://flutterbklyn.eventbrite.com</a><br /><br />**Photos by <a href="https://christopherduggan.com/" target="_blank">Christopher Duggan Photograph</a>y**</p><span><!--more--></span><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /></div>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-30223629302797597352021-06-16T10:26:00.010-07:002023-09-14T16:21:27.500-07:00The Return To Normal<p><span style="font-family: times;">As NYC reaches a 70% vaccination rate, our city is lifting the remaining COVID19 restrictions. I am so relieved that we are slowly returning to normalcy. But what is our new normal? Part of me remains in disbelief over the sudden collapse of the world as the pandemic gripped this city, the country, the world. The lives that were lost, and those lives that are still reeling from loss, are in my constant thoughts. Our family, despite being fully vaccinated, is still wearing our masks, in our building, on the street, and in the stores. The pandemic is always with me, even now.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvU3KSiNjh67ktkAs9V9RZLNY-6AoxSbyaK-dZ3Wqsg3Ucxtih3q1fe1LXsjpFToZTksJBnoxlYDSkoZPAWea-Ns_zQ1qqKiFASXJ1g83JtU6tqb2NAJsNy_e8ZTB9aqZFibQeC1SB45wIZ33eYNt0Dnow4KknxPm3T85YuOXk8yLdkrElmy18HDnanM/s739/Episode%208_%20Miranda%20The%20Baker-high%20(1).gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="739" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvU3KSiNjh67ktkAs9V9RZLNY-6AoxSbyaK-dZ3Wqsg3Ucxtih3q1fe1LXsjpFToZTksJBnoxlYDSkoZPAWea-Ns_zQ1qqKiFASXJ1g83JtU6tqb2NAJsNy_e8ZTB9aqZFibQeC1SB45wIZ33eYNt0Dnow4KknxPm3T85YuOXk8yLdkrElmy18HDnanM/w640-h360/Episode%208_%20Miranda%20The%20Baker-high%20(1).gif" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miranda Wilson as the French Baker</div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDUx2cxpHX8rni6bT-5vq8eLkEGQ0zW1fCvOxOQHSpcvjmLAZzytrs_unggxM8PX-IkTbgP3BBpEGHt-OmhRIZtfnaEAYXfuwmQEHwH4IOw9uN8wo0sTd8I7s37IV6i17-3030dtUjBU/s2048/IMG_2918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="787" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDUx2cxpHX8rni6bT-5vq8eLkEGQ0zW1fCvOxOQHSpcvjmLAZzytrs_unggxM8PX-IkTbgP3BBpEGHt-OmhRIZtfnaEAYXfuwmQEHwH4IOw9uN8wo0sTd8I7s37IV6i17-3030dtUjBU/w590-h787/IMG_2918.jpg" width="590" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ashley Chavonne getting ready to film the final episode of Pillow Fort. </div><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Treehouse Shakers company is also fully vaccinated. In the beginning of May we filmed episodes 7-9 of <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/pillowfort">Pillow Fort</a>, our new web series for ages 3-7. In spite of the fact that we were vaccinated, we still tested the company for COVID and followed strict safety protocols. But there was a sense of jubilation that week of filming, we could all feel the change that was coming. Slowly, ever so slowly, things are returning. </span>This week we finally returned to in-person rehearsals for our new show for babies. The creation for this work was delayed for 15 months, with a few failed attempts trying to work via zoom. It is hard to create an ensemble modern dance piece on zoom. We feel in many ways, we are a year behind. What we program in our 2022 NYC in-person season, would have been programmed in 2021. And yet, our virtual work is paying off. We were able to serve more kids across the country (not just in the 5 boroughs) in our virtual after-school programs. <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/pillowfort">Pillow Fort </a>was recently featured in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/27/arts/memorial-day-weekend-things-to-do.html" target="_blank">New York Times</a> and has also had a big jump in site visits.</span></p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxy-BagXK2cyN5VeQed-krdimo-_u9dScRZ5YDSVO6vov7eKUoTVslH7o7bG38tN1Yl22P-TshOOrw0un06NbrSgktsKXjAalBqZGjqLINXyIvPMTf0vuSyolrsmQM9tIjpBokPN3bms/s1310/NY+TImes+Pillow+Fort.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxy-BagXK2cyN5VeQed-krdimo-_u9dScRZ5YDSVO6vov7eKUoTVslH7o7bG38tN1Yl22P-TshOOrw0un06NbrSgktsKXjAalBqZGjqLINXyIvPMTf0vuSyolrsmQM9tIjpBokPN3bms/w528-h640/NY+TImes+Pillow+Fort.jpg" title="Pillow Fort was featured in NY Times over Memorial Day Weekend" width="528" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;">Pillow Fort was recently featured in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/27/arts/memorial-day-weekend-things-to-do.html" target="_blank">The New York Times</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">For now, our new normal, is still being created, as we slowly come out of our pandemic shells, facing the outer world with more clarity, awareness and care. Now is our chance to build a better world. For all of us. For our company. I continue to reflect and take action on our ideals of kindness, love, inclusivity and equity. This can be all of our new normal. </div></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW4nLPlWKGiIvFiri5GPPIAtMNs-pW007SBh8j-KyRXO4eGk8G4_sbYY8fiMEtVi_hZCWEsj_RH6cOZysGP8wNAfPZY5TxhOkORMQmsnxH3lKkj9wPij4s-lR9LHPu91Y5Gt1ufjIPug/s2048/IMG_3057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW4nLPlWKGiIvFiri5GPPIAtMNs-pW007SBh8j-KyRXO4eGk8G4_sbYY8fiMEtVi_hZCWEsj_RH6cOZysGP8wNAfPZY5TxhOkORMQmsnxH3lKkj9wPij4s-lR9LHPu91Y5Gt1ufjIPug/w640-h480/IMG_3057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the Set of Pillow Fort, Episode 7. Left to Right: Ben Demarest, John Noel, Katie Montoya, Trey Coates-Mitchell, Emily Bunning & Mara McEwin, featuring Lambie from Hatched.<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-64258217449635244532021-04-12T11:02:00.011-07:002021-04-13T10:00:00.588-07:00Pillow Fort Brings Hope One Year Later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUlC6TjDRIoGc_N6OvhUQUlFSTUG_MKEQC5JuPvVWyGtISmoWyCLvHgcoyxllncUAhNwadXlN6b85EheRmB88MkZ7-C5u2b3ekVAiha10vfU11GB3stxtIb6vTasaBtPojCtVSiRmrgE/s1201/PF_media+_1200X628_FNL-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1201" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUlC6TjDRIoGc_N6OvhUQUlFSTUG_MKEQC5JuPvVWyGtISmoWyCLvHgcoyxllncUAhNwadXlN6b85EheRmB88MkZ7-C5u2b3ekVAiha10vfU11GB3stxtIb6vTasaBtPojCtVSiRmrgE/w640-h336/PF_media+_1200X628_FNL-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">New Illustration by Appolllo Bey</span></div><p>It has been over a year that the pandemic hit the U.S., and a little over year since NYC was held in the dire grips of the pandemic. The sound of the sirens cradling us in a constant state of fear, the world seemingly on the edge of a cliff. Would we be the the ones who would fall off the ledge? The sound of the sirens still ghost me today. I often think I am hearing ambulances when there are none.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6wHx9ZX5p6VLh8HqNmJVx5wabpaRRMt7SobKqAlFNCX4JY48MqBRlKlH-3AGwtcudi_nXYL0B9edupydDiVyrvMKRM24jiTZynQJuRnLLCfpXqbLFsRReirl2CBCYC-INFLAUyN1vkQ/s2048/IMG_1439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6wHx9ZX5p6VLh8HqNmJVx5wabpaRRMt7SobKqAlFNCX4JY48MqBRlKlH-3AGwtcudi_nXYL0B9edupydDiVyrvMKRM24jiTZynQJuRnLLCfpXqbLFsRReirl2CBCYC-INFLAUyN1vkQ/w640-h480/IMG_1439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Katie Montoya on the set of Pillow Fort</span></div><p>But despite this year of extreme loss, sadness and isolation, there have been ribbons of hope. I have had more time at home with my family. I've taken a walk nearly every day, meditating on the clouds, the sound of birds, the change in foliage. Professionally, Treehouse Shakers has been able to reach more young people all over the country through our multitude of virtual programs. We also created our webisode series, <b><a href="https://treehouseshakers.com/on-demand/virtual-theater/">Pillow Fort</a></b>, for ages 3-7 and their families. A month ago, we shot our next three episodes. We were also able to return to our Queens rehearsal space to film, which not only brought a sense of pre-covid normalcy, it felt so good to be home. Last week we released <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/pillowfort" target="_blank">Episode 4: Hibernation</a>. Already, we have seen our episode watches increase.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vU8vXY4u3YJU05m4Bl9_M8pFllyfxw6P0k4qNJh85e6jNL9yLZejjfmKzuJMyuDSjT3zfhDcz1nyyLL08qfMLk3nkzkpZnWsBtfAlWeuCXbmJTjUWJAt1cETPArEr_VI_bonHXN1LGo/s1920/Episode+4+Miranda+Wilson+As+Mama+Bear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Miranda Noelle Wilson, as Mama Bear" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vU8vXY4u3YJU05m4Bl9_M8pFllyfxw6P0k4qNJh85e6jNL9yLZejjfmKzuJMyuDSjT3zfhDcz1nyyLL08qfMLk3nkzkpZnWsBtfAlWeuCXbmJTjUWJAt1cETPArEr_VI_bonHXN1LGo/w640-h360/Episode+4+Miranda+Wilson+As+Mama+Bear.jpg" title="Miranda Noelle Wilson, as Mama Bear" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Miranda Noelle Wilson as Mama Bear, Episode 4</span></div><p>We learned a great deal creating the first three episodes, but by Episodes 4-6, we felt totally in control of our unknown. We were able to hire Appolllo Bey to do our illustrations and to design a new opening, which was then animated by the incredibly talented, John Noel. Ben Demarest, who normally stage manages, and creates lighting for our live productions, helped with sound. We also increased the budget slightly for each episode. These small changes, and the reflection on how we make each episode, has created a better, more efficient artistic work environment.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWePzA-1VX0n_wd-toUQd9RNdeIkK8i6OJ1m06djRWalS4MZ0P7uKM-7T6f7NVFHyXCe0LdPjLAtwcHexPBMcQs8Mh95lOnAMECAeI-GyEobTmlsv5Ouby2lMRUNUar1wbqNFpqwaK-dA/s1920/Episode+4+Trey+Listening.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWePzA-1VX0n_wd-toUQd9RNdeIkK8i6OJ1m06djRWalS4MZ0P7uKM-7T6f7NVFHyXCe0LdPjLAtwcHexPBMcQs8Mh95lOnAMECAeI-GyEobTmlsv5Ouby2lMRUNUar1wbqNFpqwaK-dA/w640-h360/Episode+4+Trey+Listening.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trey Coates-Mitchell as the Host, Episode 4</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0VU9m3TNq4EqvK0wrElzA_suH7uyM3AsLbL_HBZy4RSaBoX8-p6Ks7mLfWWjItqAWgAIb7j0MFKrGoVJGBB5lqTYoU4ROo67XnZ5hCn2KWI0hZ-eZj7nluFqaK2XX7Gn3wDG9CGUeI4/s2048/IMG_1597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0VU9m3TNq4EqvK0wrElzA_suH7uyM3AsLbL_HBZy4RSaBoX8-p6Ks7mLfWWjItqAWgAIb7j0MFKrGoVJGBB5lqTYoU4ROo67XnZ5hCn2KWI0hZ-eZj7nluFqaK2XX7Gn3wDG9CGUeI4/w640-h480/IMG_1597.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Ashley Chavonne and Emily Bunning, filming Episode 5</span></div><p>I hope you will take the time to watch our next episodes of <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/pillowfort" target="_blank">Pillow Fort, </a>featured on our <a href="https://vimeo.com/channels/1098408" target="_blank">Vimeo on Demand</a> page. Episode 4, is truly one of my favorites thus far. New episodes will be released later this month.</p><div>Thank you for watching! Enjoy.</div>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-52973272790895466122020-10-26T09:00:00.020-07:002023-09-14T16:24:06.156-07:00Pillow Fort: A New Series for Young People<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw9RTWO1o1_06GKVqhjui5E1_PKjXyUD6Ll5NP_9MfkdxsFq8_0jlIbyAOh6cW21LqqZU10VwO3QoV_YnSG8USGFUT2LwvvpSx-Pf4xDv3qKnvSrlZR7ytS8Ic15t40_pi4cy-acD-nTZ7ZuUUYHBRzo_iIwTgF71hNtAFms4m6jr1qQ_ezySYwXlOyI/s1920/Granny%20Episode%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw9RTWO1o1_06GKVqhjui5E1_PKjXyUD6Ll5NP_9MfkdxsFq8_0jlIbyAOh6cW21LqqZU10VwO3QoV_YnSG8USGFUT2LwvvpSx-Pf4xDv3qKnvSrlZR7ytS8Ic15t40_pi4cy-acD-nTZ7ZuUUYHBRzo_iIwTgF71hNtAFms4m6jr1qQ_ezySYwXlOyI/w640-h360/Granny%20Episode%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ashley Chavonne, Pillow Fort, Episode 1</div><br />The pandemic has hit the Performing Arts world exceedingly hard. <p></p><p>We haven't been able to return to live performances, yet. We haven't been able to even rehearse in the same room. In NYC, it wasn't until the end of September we could have 6 people in the same studio. We still can't make dance because of the contact with each other.</p><p>In America, the Performing Arts sector remains closed for the foreseeable future. </p><p>To meet this unprecedented moment, Treehouse Shakers is developing a new web-series, <b>Pillow Fort</b>. This is an 8-part mighty mini-series, for young people, ages 3-7. This is one way that we can continue to create and serve our audiences, until it is safe to perform inside again.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b style="text-align: left;">Pillow Forts</b><span style="text-align: left;"> are a place of safety and comfort, where imagination is ignited and children can explore creativity. Our new series meets young children in an intelligent, imaginative setting, and gives them the additional tools necessary for play. Each 5-7 minute episode explores new adventures, emotional feelings, and explores the power of imagination. Using original music, choreography, animation, and powerful storytelling, our new web series is the perfect way to meet our young audiences in their new normal. Pillow Fort allows our company to continue to create, employ our company members, and serve new audiences across the world, while also developing new work that will live on long after the pandemic has passed.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bnSS8WyCEgYWKVPT1U7AMq8cBnaeu_OQC834LScEvhdrr1qi254BFJ0rnCRcz3Kse6squNLCVDlG9rQBF3ES7lcslAmPASyhC3w3wjNlJgAQ545XnVx2f4BKBMsog4rZ5_eyKh1Tc18/s2048/Cropped+Pillow+Fort+Slate+Take+1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1823" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bnSS8WyCEgYWKVPT1U7AMq8cBnaeu_OQC834LScEvhdrr1qi254BFJ0rnCRcz3Kse6squNLCVDlG9rQBF3ES7lcslAmPASyhC3w3wjNlJgAQ545XnVx2f4BKBMsog4rZ5_eyKh1Tc18/w570-h640/Cropped+Pillow+Fort+Slate+Take+1.png" width="570" /></a></div>The First Pillow Fort Slate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The idea of </span><b style="text-align: left;">Pillow Fort</b><span style="text-align: left;"> came from company member, John Noel. Loading our heavy sets back and forth in January and February, John would half-jokingly say, "Our next show should be about Pillow Forts so we only have to carry pillows." So when the pandemic hit, he brought it up again and this time to speak to the comforting elements of Pillow Forts. I was immediately on board, as was the company, and the project was born. I began writing the scripts, Emily Bunning began creating movement, Anthony Rizzo began creating the music and John began figuring out how to shoot and edit the pieces. In late summer we began doing read throughs of the script and eventually rehearsals with the company on zoom. Then, at the beginning of October, we were reunited in person again to shoot the first three episodes. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUkPwMFJwoGxVmivoyesSeoFtij3uGYlSfGt99RSB8yzjEfQvp4J3ikfU8IGH9uob4qx2fuBY5_0XSA8DojwDrZiPFIkTyNWyxJXW6C7iR6NzGFzC_qtEktK-dEUk12YHUBLc9SkiPGE/s2048/8116C5AB-B863-4DA0-AB9C-82AEB6C0EDD2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2048" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUkPwMFJwoGxVmivoyesSeoFtij3uGYlSfGt99RSB8yzjEfQvp4J3ikfU8IGH9uob4qx2fuBY5_0XSA8DojwDrZiPFIkTyNWyxJXW6C7iR6NzGFzC_qtEktK-dEUk12YHUBLc9SkiPGE/w640-h562/8116C5AB-B863-4DA0-AB9C-82AEB6C0EDD2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trey Coates-Mitchell, Pillow Fort Host, during Episode 1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">It was a process to gather. We all had to get tested for COVID-19. We had to schedule each actor separately, no one does a scene together in the same shot. And then when we arrived, we rented a space for 48 hours, so that we could limit who was in the room. We all wore masks. We stayed apart as much as possible. Working together again was like coming home. It felt so good. We cried. We laughed, we jumped at every opportunity to help each other. We had truly missed working together. We had gone from non stop early morning call times, performances, to long drives back to the city. We have spent countless hours traveling together, eating together, rehearsing together, performing together. To suddenly have our life together stop, was jarring. It felt unnatural. Being together to shoot </span><b style="text-align: left;">Pillow Fort</b><span style="text-align: left;">, made the world feel normal again.</span><br style="text-align: left;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvr-b39lTd-nYNRcCAhVBQRxhRhn6n3E-67A6U_BEM87VcknDN6RdmNKA68azly0REIxpmH9kC7LSf5a1tnTZu_8aJLfzyLBETbAluOf1-7JooumgX9U1VgKzdcrvYI01vrauw0G7m7k/s2048/560B28C9-95DE-4572-BBB3-AC94169C2A38.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvr-b39lTd-nYNRcCAhVBQRxhRhn6n3E-67A6U_BEM87VcknDN6RdmNKA68azly0REIxpmH9kC7LSf5a1tnTZu_8aJLfzyLBETbAluOf1-7JooumgX9U1VgKzdcrvYI01vrauw0G7m7k/w640-h480/560B28C9-95DE-4572-BBB3-AC94169C2A38.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Granny B, played by Ashley Chavonne, Episode 1</div><br />In the coming weeks we will begin to release <b>Pillow Fort</b> out into the world. And we hope to shoot the next three episodes before the end of the year. We can't wait to share what we are creating, and to offer young people a place of comfort and safety again. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B5LOb8XE3aimTOfIPnm6Agb4qO-fDRk464dvM4hcTWnwIpl5eBOrcAuWKo14soOvuvBDyX9JsQO-FKl3os7i0FE3ON7RvTz5qIONyhzGa8CS8Xcs_1qmLwY4fXPf_MVagmVcnDkrzW8/s2048/IMG_8830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B5LOb8XE3aimTOfIPnm6Agb4qO-fDRk464dvM4hcTWnwIpl5eBOrcAuWKo14soOvuvBDyX9JsQO-FKl3os7i0FE3ON7RvTz5qIONyhzGa8CS8Xcs_1qmLwY4fXPf_MVagmVcnDkrzW8/w640-h480/IMG_8830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Miranda Wilson (Slate), with Katie Montoya (Lighthouse Keeper) and John Noel (Camera)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">If you would like to support </span><b style="text-align: left;">Pillow Fort</b><span style="text-align: left;">, consider making a tax deduction donation on our </span><a href="gf.me/u/yt4q45" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Go Fund Me Page for the project</a><span style="text-align: left;">. Thank you for your support!</span></div><p><b>More About Treehouse Shakers</b><br /></p><p>Treehouse Shakers creates programming that encourage multi-generational audiences to experience a connection to their community. Our purpose remains as it was when we created our first dance-play in 1997: To capture the artistically rich beauty and simplicity of the human imagination. Melding dance, music, and interactive visual elements with a script, our repertoire includes sixteen works that addresses every age level within youth programming.</p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>.</p><div><br /></div>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-19329779538707317402020-08-23T12:58:00.125-07:002020-08-24T12:36:44.951-07:00A Pandemic, The Arts, And A New Beginning<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a6b5N4-CVxpo-wQmdIwGTX7uuRxmTauv881fM0wMhilbuMupZPYHQpAQHSPU6VVxEd0y891ezHvMVfTt6Kp3greK0zjpXl1V6eoNsatrdF_5dfEDELfRbDXHWniLI4Nh6hQeP600lwU/s2048/20200208_TreehouseShakers_HatchedPerformance_ChristopherDuggan_081.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a6b5N4-CVxpo-wQmdIwGTX7uuRxmTauv881fM0wMhilbuMupZPYHQpAQHSPU6VVxEd0y891ezHvMVfTt6Kp3greK0zjpXl1V6eoNsatrdF_5dfEDELfRbDXHWniLI4Nh6hQeP600lwU/s640/20200208_TreehouseShakers_HatchedPerformance_ChristopherDuggan_081.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A baby enjoying Treehouse Shakers' Hatched in February 2020 at BAM in Brooklyn
<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span><span id="docs-internal-guid-84fd3925-7fff-6b5a-58bb-a55b33e37eba"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has taken me a few months to truly come to terms with what this new pandemic-era means for</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my family, for NYC, for the country, for Treehouse Shakers, and the performing arts as a whole.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I haven't written as much as I normally do, nor have I wanted to. But it does feel important to</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">document this time. One day we can look back and have perspective on what we have learned,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">how we adapted and where our shortsightedness failed us. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By January, I was worried. Treehouse Shakers has partners in China, so we were hearing </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from colleagues in late December that we needed to prepare for what was coming. I followed </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">their advice, but by the beginning of January, in NYC, we couldn't find gloves or masks. I was </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">already trying to stock up. I didn't know at that point that some small mom and pop stores in </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NYC, were still the places to find necessities. I never thought that our neighborhood would run </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">out of soap, cleaning supplies, frozen food, tortillas and hot sauce and eventually toilet paper.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the beginning of the year our company was busy touring, producing and working in schools. We also had a very busy and a robust touring season still ahead. The company was excited for 2020. The virus was seemingly far off. Or so we thought. Still, we over-cleaned dressing rooms, rental cars and our rehearsal props. I was constantly reading reports from overseas, trying to figure out what exactly were we to expect. When would the virus be here? We continued performing, touring and teaching in the schools. On my last in-person teaching job on March 11, I was driving the company's rental van too worried to take public transportation. When I turned down my favorite road, on the way to the school, I was met by the National Guard which had entirely blocked off the town of New Rochelle. That was the distinct moment that I realized this was so much bigger than anyone was admitting. T</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">he first case in NYC was supposedly from New Rochelle and a small cluster had emerged. But little did the public know that NYC was already inundated with cases.
</span></p><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNuPYqSigAWYqm0yVekixL-pBUHHeKf7N5XhMWOEWUKxF-fLCn9ewhwWmCe3AMFhAbFN8m9MYX13sbU4iVouU6YdYzXm3GIV2_t1DWen8hstmVQtqpJwYuGfkV_RhSAQ-wjKU1YdVU4U/s640/Mara+and+Kids+TreehouseShakers_PuppetWorkshop_ChristopherDuggan_032.jpg" width="640" /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From our Family Workshop Day, following Hatched in February 2020</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soon after, our beloved city began quickly shutting down. My husband and I both began working </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from home and we had pulled our daughter out of school. By March 13, none of my family was </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">traveling beyond our neighborhood border. Our company by this point had also lost all of our </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spring touring, school residencies and NYC performance seasons. At first, we tried putting some </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of our programs off until May, then June, and then everything was permanently canceled. By the </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the end of March the city felt like some strange war zone. The sound of sirens was constant. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The drone of medical helicopters were heard overhead. Day and night. My family was living in the epicenter </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">of the epicenter. Queens. Every day there were reports of long lines at testing centers, lines to </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">be seen by doctors, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">which quickly turned into longer waiting times for ambulances, hospitals, and then sadly, refrigerator trucks and places to be buried. Our city was under attack. We were living in sadness, trauma and fear. Every doorknob to get out of an apartment building </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">was a nightmare. Every button to push in the elevator became uncertain. Grocery shopping </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">was an urgent mission. Shelves were </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">empty. I made many meals out of ingredients I had never tried. We crossed streets far away from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">dear neighbors, avoiding contact. We wished each other safety and health from our balconies, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">doorways, and windows, distanced from each other. We wrote messages of hope on our apartment doors, on our windows, on rocks. Trying desperately to lift each other through the horror of the moment.
What I knew then. What our company knows is; what gets people through life's difficulties, is the arts. After 9/11, Treehouse Shakers immediately went into a family homeless shelter close to the Twin Towers, to comfort children and their families with performances, laughter, workshops. And now was that time again for us to meet the needs of our communities in new ways. I felt such a powerful urgency to confront the moment, our children, our families with support through art.
</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYZoRVhTq5IBU0q6BbldEK8vP1wQgPjxGCWXFv1bCe0JhCWD2RVOxRjiRJmW6PTIDdRFWgd2Brsgkm4fQQzM2vSVshmGenS4r8BKjYsK3nb0iHQltgsIkqH5uOdElF5nGz1CYHNOAez4/s2048/Company+in+Albany+with+book+author+Jen+Wojotowicz.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYZoRVhTq5IBU0q6BbldEK8vP1wQgPjxGCWXFv1bCe0JhCWD2RVOxRjiRJmW6PTIDdRFWgd2Brsgkm4fQQzM2vSVshmGenS4r8BKjYsK3nb0iHQltgsIkqH5uOdElF5nGz1CYHNOAez4/s640/Company+in+Albany+with+book+author+Jen+Wojotowicz.png" width="640" /></a><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Company in Albany, NY (End of February 2020) with The Boy Who Grew Flowers </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with book author Jen Wojtowicz (3rd from right)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
By the time March 15 had hit, our company was building an artist fund for our company members. Unemployment didn't seem like an immediate option, and definitely not enough for our company members. We continued our residencies and taught our arts programs remotely from preschools to elementary schools. We offered mentor programs to other non-profit companies and one-day workshops. We began selling videos of our work to Performing Arts Centers, along with classes and additional materials for their communities. We partnered with Broadway on Demand offering our two shows for the youngest audiences, Hatched and Olive & Pearl on Saturday mornings. We sold tickets to our own online virtual theater, and partnered with some of our lowest income schools, giving them free or discounted video content. We began getting requests from schools across the country for more arts programming, and gave them what we had. We made a new dance piece entirely through zoom, which my business partner, Emily Bunning, so ingeniously devised. We applied for grants and searched for foundation support, we met weekly with our company members, and then began rehearsals again via zoom (not an easy task), we offered virtual birthday parties, we made a virtual community day, and created virtual summer camps that enrolled campers from across the country. And that's where we are now. We understand how important it is</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to truly meet this moment. People of all ages need the arts. Currently, we are making a new web-series, that we will release this fall. We will meet the requests of families and schools across the country for After-School performing arts programs, virtually. Young people still need the arts. It is still a time of uncertainty. We continue to figure out new ways of sharing our work with the populations who need it the most. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOn5KurPudQX29Piqqi7pcx_s9pOUl7zAtqxfVjT2r7d5dfK8O2muxRkzGVm5nxlKVTUBA-n5QgCw1SlB-Vw-Bc_F1EmTHj9iKRj5Qn9TX8l4UD4No4mopBViJhlNP_vZGPGcCbK7w6Q/s2048/Playwriting+Just+Kids+Final+Day.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOn5KurPudQX29Piqqi7pcx_s9pOUl7zAtqxfVjT2r7d5dfK8O2muxRkzGVm5nxlKVTUBA-n5QgCw1SlB-Vw-Bc_F1EmTHj9iKRj5Qn9TX8l4UD4No4mopBViJhlNP_vZGPGcCbK7w6Q/s640/Playwriting+Just+Kids+Final+Day.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Treehouse Shakers' Final Day of Playwriting Virtual Camp, July 2020</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slowly, NYC transmission rates have become lower and lower. There are no more constant </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">siren sounds, and masks can be found in abundance in our neighborhood stores. We stop for </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">longer talks with our neighbors, and there are many more of us laughing and smiling on the </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">streets. New Yorkers now watch the rest of the country struggle with the virus, as we did in the Spring. Our hearts break for the health care workers, families isolated away from dying loved ones, parents unsure to send their kids outside or to school, for communities under siege from this invisible enemy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
As a company we miss performing live. We miss being a company that tours together. We miss </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">being in rehearsals to</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gether in the same room. But this moment is met with many new beginnings. We have reached new audiences we </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wouldn't hav</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">e reached had we not shifted to virtual content. And we have created new content to meet this new moment. We have worked together as a company, every week discussing how we can move forward through these uncertain waters, both personally and
creativel</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">y.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sYmdSS4hmsCOCfj-D2QpAkyJUm_6V5cXTAkA-BiFQ2NZROOaDwiMyGYft5YYxI00pyBn2i-2S1aPZ96k_ofJPoktha0hEDI1kMA7xCjbz0bzRaYWCX0IATG9So9i0xcuYQUFr-ThIQw/s960/107733721_10158619475917498_2411433740849329768_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sYmdSS4hmsCOCfj-D2QpAkyJUm_6V5cXTAkA-BiFQ2NZROOaDwiMyGYft5YYxI00pyBn2i-2S1aPZ96k_ofJPoktha0hEDI1kMA7xCjbz0bzRaYWCX0IATG9So9i0xcuYQUFr-ThIQw/s640/107733721_10158619475917498_2411433740849329768_n.jpg" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of our young playwright campers, watching from home, her play being performed by</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Treehouse Shakers' company member Ashley Chavonne, July 2020.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I have hope again. A hope I haven't felt for many months. We see that our colleagues in Asia have pulled off live performances again, successfully, and more importantly without any outbreaks. My hope is that those of us in NYC can pull off live performances again by the Spring of 2021. It is my hope. Until that time, we will continue to listen to our communities and meet their needs as best we can through the arts.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-04921a35-7fff-9bc3-06c6-34860e3e5ab6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p></span></span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you to everyone who has donated to our company during these past few months. We truly appreciate your donations. We also want to thank our board president, Geri Pell for her immediate donation to jumpstart our Artist Fund, and to all of the board members and donors who followed. We also want to thank the Marta Heflin Foundation and Nat R & Martha M Knaster Charitable Trust. We truly appreciate your support through these unprecedented times. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span><span><br />If you would like to send a tax-deduction donation to Treehouse Shakers, and/or to read more about our programs, you can make a secure donation at </span></span></span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span><u><a href="http://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/72859"><span>paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity</span>/72859</a></u></span></span></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;"></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-55796061132434297382020-01-09T11:22:00.003-08:002020-01-10T18:19:21.433-08:00Meet Our Company Members: Ashley ErvinThis month, we are featuring our company member, Ashley Ervin, who is working on our newest play for babies (ages 6-18 months), and is also leading new movement classes for babies with Treehouse Shakers' and our preschool partner, Preschool of the Arts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwtnVHaJq3Tp-HO2aLSp2wguVOAC6ZJX4_A3srhf3TQmM_Pf5prk-9qrSyZbL4jSqYfugvJoFlJDuaHq0swUcSEMgsMI1edX_5x-yZKo5mwm6di3nTSXzsMtN-sOmfoOicy8Ym_fMRJ4/s1600/Ashley+E+and+Katie+M+UnderTheTangle_ChristopherDuggan_050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwtnVHaJq3Tp-HO2aLSp2wguVOAC6ZJX4_A3srhf3TQmM_Pf5prk-9qrSyZbL4jSqYfugvJoFlJDuaHq0swUcSEMgsMI1edX_5x-yZKo5mwm6di3nTSXzsMtN-sOmfoOicy8Ym_fMRJ4/s640/Ashley+E+and+Katie+M+UnderTheTangle_ChristopherDuggan_050.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Montoya (Left) and Ashley Ervin (Right) in Under the Tangle<br />
Photo Credit, Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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<b>Tell us about yourself and how did you become a part of Treehouse Shakers? How long have you been with the company? What is your role(s) with the company?</b><br />
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I am a performer and Dance/Movement Therapist originally from St. Louis, MO. I moved to New York City in 2012. Early into my career as a performer, I often searched for performance opportunities on DanceNYC. I found a casting notice posted by Treehouse Shakers, and auditioned on June 12, 2013. Soon after I was notified of my acceptance into the company, I became an original cast member of the show, <b><a href="https://treehouseshakers.com/productions/under-the-tangle/" target="_blank">Under the Tangle</a></b> (for ages 8+.) Since then, I’ve also had the privilege of performing in various other productions created by Emily and Mara such as <b>Coyote’s Dance</b> and <b>Animal Rhythms</b>. I am also now working on their newest play for babies.<br />
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<b>What has been your favorite role to play? Tell us about a favorite audience moment you’ve had as a performer.</b><br />
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My favorite current production is <b>Under the Tangle</b>. It was an amazing experience to be a part of the creation of this show. We began in rehearsal with simple movement phrases that morphed into choreographic sequences linked together with singing, music, and special effects. We created makeshift props out of cardboard and fabric in rehearsal and eventually transitioned to utilizing beautifully crafted costumes and set pieces with lights, strings, snaps, and Velcro for the show. To see firsthand the stages of development and to know I contributed my mind, body, and emotions into the show makes it feel authentic and forever a part of me.<br />
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I also have a huge appreciation for this show and the characters I played, which included Laughing Tails, Labyrinth Guard and Map, because it forced me beyond my comfort zone. As a dancer, this was the first time I was asked to vocalize. It was daunting, but it was also the start of finding my voice and ultimately going beyond my limitations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIUhAiYxdfY4C9WqGX5zwNT6jJtw1tKSbb118CWwpBFo4IpcD5sAKllV3sd-tursfLEe20-aQBugZ8iBu2nUgQti94cKvOlqLliaEnDkDFGVzXwa0RpRS55akjpX3uDw-zdBUmA4czmg/s1600/Wyoming+Dance+Class+Kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIUhAiYxdfY4C9WqGX5zwNT6jJtw1tKSbb118CWwpBFo4IpcD5sAKllV3sd-tursfLEe20-aQBugZ8iBu2nUgQti94cKvOlqLliaEnDkDFGVzXwa0RpRS55akjpX3uDw-zdBUmA4czmg/s640/Wyoming+Dance+Class+Kids.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching Dance in Southwest Wyoming with Company members Trey Coates-Mitchell and Ashley Ervin, 2016 (Center)</td></tr>
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I don’t have one favorite audience moment; however, the times we traveled to Wyoming to perform Under the Tangle, were very memorable. During that time, the children shared their perspectives and ideas and it allowed me to see the show in a new light. I’m constantly focusing on execution of movement, being on the right cue, attuning to and being aware of my fellow performers. I am focusing on the parts, and I easily lose sight of the whole story I am sharing. Hearing the audience members call the character a “Queen,” or label a prop as a “Zebra Nacho Chip,” or to see their wide- eyes looking at me in a platinum blonde wig, I am reminded of the power of the narrative to transcend our minds to new places, and it is humbling to be involved in that experience. <br />
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<b>What makes Treehouse Shakers work unique or different than other companies you might have worked with?</b><br />
The Treehouse Shakers is unique for its collaborative nature and also for the close, supportive, and loving environment that has been created within the company. The ideas and suggestions from the performers are welcomed and valued. I’ve never worked in a company where there has been such ease, comfort, and vulnerability in the rehearsal process. The company is also fiercely dedicated to young audiences. Never have I work with directors so enthusiastic about bringing full theater productions to children. Lastly, I love that the company conveys important messages and approaches tough topics in some of the shows. There is a lot happening in society today and it is certainly impacting the youth. Creating shows that can help children acknowledge, understand, process, contemplate, and question issues and emotions that are difficult to hold and express is necessary.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backstage Selfies, Animal Rhythms<br />
Top: Left to Right Mara McEwin, Ashley Ervin, Ashley Chavonne, Miranda Wilson, Roderick Jackson<br />
Bottom Left to Right Katie Montoya & Emily Bunning</td></tr>
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<b></b><b>You recently received your Masters recently. How does this impact your work as a performer. With the company?</b><br />
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I received a Master of Science in Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute in 2018. I am a registered Dance/Movement Therapist with the American Dance Therapy Association and I hold a New York State Limited Permit in Creative Arts Therapy. I work as a Dance/Movement Therapist in the private practice setting at Dancing Dialogue LCAT LMHC PLLC. I lead dance groups with adults and children on the Autism spectrum at Snack, Inc. I am also a psychotherapist at New Alternatives for Children, where I engage with children and parents in the foster care system. I also began baby movement classes with Treehouse Shakers this past fall with their partner, Preschool of the Arts.<br />
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Dance/movement therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes the body, movement, rhythm, play, imagery, verbal and tactile stimulation, and mindfulness to integrate the cognitive, social, physical, and emotional aspects of an individual. The focus is on nonverbal movement behavior and utilizing the body as a tool for assessment and intervention with people experiencing developmental, medical, social, physical, and psychological impairments. It is used in various settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, private practice, and mental health facilities to name a few. It is practiced with all ages from infancy to geriatric and can be conducted with individuals, couples, families, and in groups.<br />
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As a therapist, I have gained a deeper awareness of what is means to trust the process. Taking that knowledge, I am now very passionate about helping others find a sense of embodiment that allows them to reveal where they have come from, who they are presently, and how they want to move forward to discover release and healing. Learning to connect the mind, body, and emotion continuum through dance/movement therapy allows me to be more physically present and emotionally open as a performer. I am showing up with a greater capacity to attune and empathize with the other dancers as well as the audience members. I also now have the ability to read and analyze movement, which I believe helps me to pick up choreography and movement qualities more quickly and precisely. As I watch and learn new movement, I recognize emotions, sensations, thoughts that arise within, and that allows me to mirror those movements and match the essence of what is being communicated.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treehouse Shakers' Company Members, 2018<br />
Left to Right: Ashley Ervin, Trey Coates-Mitchell, Ashley Chavonne, Emily Bunning, Mara McEwin, Spencer Wilson, John Noel, Miranda Wilson & Katie Montoya</td></tr>
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<b>Anything else you would like our audiences to know?</b><br />
I’m so blessed to have found the Treehouse Shakers and to be able to call them family. Working with this company for the past 6 years has help to shape my identity as a performer!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1QgtuWJQz0u9L3z-De2QZHmXn7pgCAqOB885lAGE8I0W908PEZpSMzeWKC_RiwU9x1eSabCsehoZndvTCVRhW8_uZL7KJ0JcLX4mfHD5b2P2O80WZ43H42jk46J_x3f5QmSXIKR9g8c/s1600/Dance+UnderTheTangle+ChristopherDuggan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1QgtuWJQz0u9L3z-De2QZHmXn7pgCAqOB885lAGE8I0W908PEZpSMzeWKC_RiwU9x1eSabCsehoZndvTCVRhW8_uZL7KJ0JcLX4mfHD5b2P2O80WZ43H42jk46J_x3f5QmSXIKR9g8c/s640/Dance+UnderTheTangle+ChristopherDuggan.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the Tangle, Photo by Christopher Duggan<br />
Clockwise From Left: Ashley Ervin, Miranda Wilson, Katie Montoya & Ashley Chavonne</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYiKKcljBsUi8A9nMF8qBsPxq0gD3Z357KD6-SKN8VW0xzidNIksdpERK6K3RYkKVuJ065pVRWlnylvX_JYpMfutzxINMWoZixIQvMYE-MQ2AHuoVnGjmXVPLrJ8g_SG_1cEoaN8Ic9g/s1600/Ashley+E+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="180" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYiKKcljBsUi8A9nMF8qBsPxq0gD3Z357KD6-SKN8VW0xzidNIksdpERK6K3RYkKVuJ065pVRWlnylvX_JYpMfutzxINMWoZixIQvMYE-MQ2AHuoVnGjmXVPLrJ8g_SG_1cEoaN8Ic9g/s200/Ashley+E+headshot.jpg" width="141" /></a><b>Ashley Ervin</b> is a Treehouse Shakers' company member, performer and Dance/Movement Therapist originally from St. Louis, MO. She graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in dance and a minor in psychology from George Mason University in 2012. There she had the privilege of working with various choreographers such as David Parsons, Mark Morris, and Jacqulyn Buglisi. Following graduation, Ashley moved to New York City to pursue a professional career in dance. She is also a company member of Kaley Pruitt Dance Company, and has performed with a host of other artists. She continued her education and received a MS in Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute in 2018. She is a registered Dance/Movement Therapist and holds a New York State Limited Permit in Creative Arts Therapy. She specializes in psychotherapeutic approaches utilizing movement, rhythm, play, imagery, verbal and tactile stimulation, and mindfulness. In addition to performing, Ashley also works as a Dance/Movement Therapist in the private practice setting at Dancing Dialogue LCAT LMHC PLLC. Besides her work with Treehouse Shakers, she leads dance groups with adults and children on the Autism spectrum at Snack Inc. As a psychotherapist at New Alternatives for Children, Ashley engages with children and parents in the foster care system. Ashley is grateful and excited to work as a performer and teaching artist for the Treehouse Shakers.<br />
<br />Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-41926016028263223832019-12-20T14:28:00.006-08:002023-09-14T14:36:57.108-07:00The Dream <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I always knew I wanted my own theater company. A friend from from High School recently reminded me that even at a young age, I had this dream, and that I talked about it with fervor. I don't remember telling her. But I do remember growing up in Wyoming, where blue skies went on forever, antelope sightings were my everyday and my desire was strong to move to New York City and pursue my dream. Originally, beginning in middle school, I had hoped to become a jazz musician. I was obsessed with the great horn players, and wanted to be known as a great female saxophonist. But then I found acting. I was home. The High School theater was my home away from home. Or maybe more home than my actual home. When I first left my small town, I went away to Interlochen Arts Academy. I was suddenly surrounded with many people like myself, dedicated and determined to being the best of artists. When I attended Stephens College, I went to be an actor, but fell in love with directing and the business side of owning a theater. And even then I knew I wanted to work with children. This being in the days before college programs had Early Childhood Arts Programs. Wanting to create theater for young audiences was looked upon as step down. But I was determined. My first year out of college I was the Assistant to Artistic Director, Rebecca Morgan of Southwest Children's Theater Productions in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was hooked. Rebecca was inspiring, generous and she taught me everything about what it meant to keep a theater for young people successful. A year later, I moved to New York City to pursue acting. And I did. But almost immediately I was motivated to start my own company. I had a vision of what theater could be and I was determined to make it happen. My dear childhood friend, Emily Bunning, who had also attended Stephens College as a dancer, also had a dream of what dance could be. We joined forces to create Treehouse Shakers in 1997.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KUZIR9a4h75C3VtojLn3SWEQqcasVK3GQ4CNy7mdsX-jDZ5JoES7DMYYCqWRmsEZboxp0yBZAlwwRPvIVqfAyuHXIizzJRzila2FJyxjhBynb28J5I5DLkp606Z2E1nQEmGvlkz5JYE/s1600/DanceofMyDaughter+97_0003.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1552" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KUZIR9a4h75C3VtojLn3SWEQqcasVK3GQ4CNy7mdsX-jDZ5JoES7DMYYCqWRmsEZboxp0yBZAlwwRPvIVqfAyuHXIizzJRzila2FJyxjhBynb28J5I5DLkp606Z2E1nQEmGvlkz5JYE/s640/DanceofMyDaughter+97_0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our First THS' Production, Dance of My Daughter<br />
Written by Mara McEwin & Choreographed by Emily Bunning at Ensemble Studio Theater, New York City 1997</td></tr>
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2020 will be our 23rd season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F9ol2mSmOIyaEc2bGNqvnTvFYqvaYY4DctbhcfK6Du-F5A9dcXF4_jAfF2y56LIbFKoL8EVKrfYq2oTv7VXN_NhA2E8F-Wh2PP1BssLZVJtAcMQkvevIA4ONT_RN0RvCHRA4ANVib1w/s1600/Rink+Angelina+ChristopherDuggan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F9ol2mSmOIyaEc2bGNqvnTvFYqvaYY4DctbhcfK6Du-F5A9dcXF4_jAfF2y56LIbFKoL8EVKrfYq2oTv7VXN_NhA2E8F-Wh2PP1BssLZVJtAcMQkvevIA4ONT_RN0RvCHRA4ANVib1w/s640/Rink+Angelina+ChristopherDuggan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boy Who Grew Flowers at Ailey Citigroup Theater, Spring 2019, featuring John Noel & Katie Montoya</td></tr>
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This year was a wonderful year of growth. We premiered our newest piece, <b>The Boy Who Grew Flowers</b>, through a prestigious commission from the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase under the leadership of Executive Director, Seth Soloway. We continue to pioneer work for the very young, build on school residencies and public classes, have included additional performances for those with specific needs, and expanded our work to China. We were honored with a legacy gift by Julia M. Morris in memory of her mother, Anne Morris, towards the creation of our newest work for babies, <b>Flutter</b>. We have 6 shows on tour, and have created 15 original performances. And we continue to be dedicated to bringing the utmost level of high-quality arts programming for audiences from diverse backgrounds and incomes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0HwUAF9haVh90SJ00db98gGHmzzo5CfObe-v0h0QZkt2fBeDvfmnXg9b36IL5YY0eU1IvWHbBFlWA7yobCNP59mRZvEckhmVMXx42qh7yE6zzwxpSbekll3k9coZSj12EsLKPjfjHqQ/s1600/Cropped+Hatched.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0HwUAF9haVh90SJ00db98gGHmzzo5CfObe-v0h0QZkt2fBeDvfmnXg9b36IL5YY0eU1IvWHbBFlWA7yobCNP59mRZvEckhmVMXx42qh7yE6zzwxpSbekll3k9coZSj12EsLKPjfjHqQ/s640/Cropped+Hatched.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students enjoying our show, Hatched at BAM Fisher in Brooklyn</td></tr>
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As the year winds down, I am reflective of what this journey has meant. Theater is still my home away from home. Creating is a part of me like walking or talking. It's what I do. As our company continues to grow, I am reminded of what it means to be dedicated to a dream. And despite having carried this dream for so long, through most of my childhood, and all of my adulthood, through the disappointments and the successes, I remain committed to building this dream. More importantly, I want my dream, which is now many people's dream, to make this world a much better and a more beautiful place for young people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42rU6YcITw0Wr8BOAak0nhdY-T2GlNC3IJ8pS1_k0aFuQzMNauSwooq69uBAhoyaaGvKpAsT-UxX-1He2Zh7sPu77yj83l4sdRtLqfExZ84Tjqi8WiQ18q-3bIyJ-X-uwRqsvphF6DvI/s1600/Audience+TreehouseShakers-OlivePearl_ChristopherDuggan_039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42rU6YcITw0Wr8BOAak0nhdY-T2GlNC3IJ8pS1_k0aFuQzMNauSwooq69uBAhoyaaGvKpAsT-UxX-1He2Zh7sPu77yj83l4sdRtLqfExZ84Tjqi8WiQ18q-3bIyJ-X-uwRqsvphF6DvI/s640/Audience+TreehouseShakers-OlivePearl_ChristopherDuggan_039.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audiences at Olive & Pearl our show for the very young, ages 2-5<br />
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<a name='more'></a>To Give to Treehouse Shakers this holiday season you can make a secure tax-deductible contribution through <a href="http://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/72859" target="_blank">PayPal Giving. </a><br />
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Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.<br />
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Thank You In Advance For Supporting the Dream.</td></tr>
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<br />Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-89120619735577692622019-09-23T10:10:00.002-07:002019-09-24T08:58:10.075-07:00Summer Journey to China<h4>
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<b><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: #38761d; font-family: "times"; font-size: 13.5pt;">This summer, Treehouse Shakers was given the
opportunity to work with Star America Preschool and UOutlook Summer Camps to
partner in China, bringing our arts in education to different programs.
Over the next year, we will continue to build upon this exciting partnership,
expanding upon our Chinese partnerships. Trey Coates-Mitchell, our exceptional company
member and teaching artist, led the drama programs. He began in Shanghai, and
then traveled to the outer provinces. The following piece, explores his
teaching journey in China. This was a first for the company, and a first for
Trey. Trey, who like everything he does, brought joy, passion and a wonderful
work ethic to give these students the very best of Treehouse
Shakers. -Mara McEwin, Artistic Director</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<!--EndFragment--></h4>
<h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trey Coates-Mitchell leading a drama program in China</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h3>
When teaching in China suddenly became an opportunity, I honestly froze up. I was not exactly sure how I would accomplish this task. I always heard, “teaching is a muscle.” That statement certainly felt true. But something I did not always hear (or perhaps wasn’t listening to) was that if not vigilant, teaching can become habitual, stale, or even flat. At the time, those thoughts were also starting to feel true. It seemed like I needed a new boundary or an unexpected challenge to expand and reinvigorate my work. My curiosity in the classroom had always fallen somewhere between dance and clowning. So having never taught in a different country, I knew this experience would challenge these concepts, strip me of my language tools, and hopefully force me to creatively investigate the universal power of voice, body, and mind.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ou8PAb7JLqF90GZfbE96giv2xeRkpUdm1Wy8nw7R6HfNk4kCDPO-2a6HA0Hi73H-f7KWaSAfP51XtM2qGEwucgOwWPwdp24S-OkwaDjEN3nRWVBpYk2UREzKG265V0g24GB_5hvgRsw/s1600/Trey+China.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ou8PAb7JLqF90GZfbE96giv2xeRkpUdm1Wy8nw7R6HfNk4kCDPO-2a6HA0Hi73H-f7KWaSAfP51XtM2qGEwucgOwWPwdp24S-OkwaDjEN3nRWVBpYk2UREzKG265V0g24GB_5hvgRsw/s640/Trey+China.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbCz7OtQXai124zcvZjN4ikeDcTFiSlRGQYyP_3OKVpIydPSBIi2sn8dIgAPZ5vc1Wll1WyBJ_2jNYQrvuqkDs4f6JGNoKfyi_NPFDlpm8lD4C_6fjqwPSpkYA2jO0DXo-Iyj6927lCk/s1600/Making+Gingerbread+Man+China.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbCz7OtQXai124zcvZjN4ikeDcTFiSlRGQYyP_3OKVpIydPSBIi2sn8dIgAPZ5vc1Wll1WyBJ_2jNYQrvuqkDs4f6JGNoKfyi_NPFDlpm8lD4C_6fjqwPSpkYA2jO0DXo-Iyj6927lCk/s320/Making+Gingerbread+Man+China.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gingerbread Man crafts to accompany their drama techniques</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first thing I learned while working with students who do not speak English (drum roll please) is that they were working with a teacher who did not speak Chinese. It sounds so simple, so fundamental, but we were all going to have to work through this conundrum. We needed to find a deeper understanding of each other without typical language tools. This separation actually jumpstarted our process and became like a bridge being built from two sides of a ravine. On day one, my first observation was how physically “rough and tumble” the students were with me before, during, and after the acting exercises. Teaching experiences in the US vary, of course, but typically there is a certain physical separation between teacher and student (with an exception perhaps when giving a specific dance or blocking correction). Here there was a such a clear difference in physical boundaries when it came to self-expression. What the teachers explained was that a lot of the students were nervous to speak to us at first, especially with English. (I wondered, as nervous as I am?) They went on to say how important theater and dance can be in building their confidence, explaining this as one possible reason for the rambunctious physical expression. With no words, physical contact was their innocent way into conversation. In other words, another form of communication. This is why some of the students were pushing so hard at first to dance or play sports with me. Boom. It hit me hard with its simplicity. This journey was going to be all about us being brave enough to communicate in our own unique ways until we were confident enough to find and speak the right words.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_wGS_nTVImaaidgkZYNAhROtODLGNolpOSaB39tBKys7Pk6_zJ_sQ45by2QGOEl7vY92OHq_gSJ8YEtEH6YDwqg_EFP0xTsOH-RQE9aOlZj34GGMgGTXGmd6Qj5YqoWLCVUoYObGBt0/s1600/Trey+with+Group+China.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_wGS_nTVImaaidgkZYNAhROtODLGNolpOSaB39tBKys7Pk6_zJ_sQ45by2QGOEl7vY92OHq_gSJ8YEtEH6YDwqg_EFP0xTsOH-RQE9aOlZj34GGMgGTXGmd6Qj5YqoWLCVUoYObGBt0/s640/Trey+with+Group+China.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drama Exercises</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Does language ever hinder? The most crucial relationship at that first location was Victoria, a camp coordinator and translator for my classes. She guided me into an important exercise of choosing my words with more care, and in turn she had to think about exactly how to relate my descriptive visuals to students from a different culture. I quickly realized my dramatic tendencies had led me down a road of using too many adjectives and emotional descriptives in class. I was using my smooth-tongued delivery as a crutch, and in some ways I had muddied my class objectives. I needed to get specific and then let my students elaborate further. In addition, I needed to choose language that allowed us all to connect, regardless of vocabulary. Without a true cultural understanding of how their language is constructed, it was my job to express concepts clearly. It would not be enough to just ask that my words be translated into Chinese or vice versa, and a phone application was not always going to do the trick emotionally. And what about the reverse? Yes, I knew the purpose of this work was partly to improve the students’ English language skills by utilizing theater and dance methods. But in the case of acting class and the introspection often required in that type of education, it would become crucial to encourage students to also respond in Chinese when they felt moved, in hopes they would articulate exactly what they were thinking. The goal became to never have a single student hold back their thoughts and feelings because of not knowing the proper English words.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performing for Parents at the Finale of Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The educational style of Treehouse Shakers was an important part of communicating thoughts to one another. From my standpoint, the THS values of exploring material made creativity extremely accessible to these students because of the clear focus on Body, Voice, and Imagination. This became our class map: A mutual understanding that our creations would not solely rely on words and translation, but through all the doorways of storytelling. We expanded our minds, and as classes progressed, the students and teachers became braver in sharing with each other. Communication became a skill not solely based on language. At one point, students with more visual arts skills began to show creativity and individuality through the crafting of props, costumes, and scenery to accompany our class work. These students were not always the most vocal or physically free on stage, but they found a way into the process. Some students even found their sports background as a jumping off point into dance by using their bodies to create the story. For example, when we worked with “The Gingerbread Man” in class, a group of more athletically inclined kids became almost like a mini dance troupe, creating the home, kitchen, and oven with nothing but their bodies. Others maybe who were not as comfortable with speaking English would also find different ways to contribute their voice. In one inspired moment, several shy students began howling like wolves before the opening scene of our “Three Little Pigs” classwork. At that very moment a student playing a horse clipped and clopped onstage with the use of two paper cups making contact with the stage floor. Another student let out a resounding “MOO” behind the barn, and three little pigs came skipping on stage. The play had begun. Bingo! They were understanding all the delicious possibilities. By encouraging all forms of participation, every person was able to latch on to the bigger picture. The students were not only thinking outside the box, but they were opening themselves up to the power we all possess to tell stories and communicate ideas.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdWmOJtLWRpAV73cKUibhxxSGRW8qeFR7Z1-CvU_Uzo_NV7iXwVM716_f9Bn6CuPmW7NAp7qKdfsBjtGQdJG6b_o7VJJORufgUnQvEJMv2CsFCsxd2At2pljWX26qLFGLVYeiiqj4XtE/s1600/Trey+Camp+U+Outlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdWmOJtLWRpAV73cKUibhxxSGRW8qeFR7Z1-CvU_Uzo_NV7iXwVM716_f9Bn6CuPmW7NAp7qKdfsBjtGQdJG6b_o7VJJORufgUnQvEJMv2CsFCsxd2At2pljWX26qLFGLVYeiiqj4XtE/s640/Trey+Camp+U+Outlook.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ultimately, this experience was only the beginning of a much bigger learning process, for all involved. My personal goals now revolve around grasping more of the language and furthering my education on the culture in an effort to build theater programs that feel organic to the students and teachers. Above all, the staff stressed the importance of cultivating these types of programs. For them, its valued as an incredible way to teach self-expression, confidence, and lifelong team skills. The teachers, students, and families in China seem so hungry for this type of global exposure to music, dance, and theater. Often there was mention of giving the students a <i>“Real American Broadway Camp”</i> in China. But as I flew back home, I kept wondering if this was really the beginning of an initiative to help nurture Chinese theater programs that focus on building skills beyond the stage. I do not know for sure, but I learned that it is all about what can be shared across that ravine and even the bridge that we can build together. Clearly, there is so much humans have in common, and often our perceived boundaries are just that…lines on a map. However, as creators, it turns out that what separates us is actually an opportunity to take a fresh new look at how we enrich the arts on a global scale.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">About Trey Coates-Mitchell</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Trey is a New York City based Writer, Director/Choreographer, Clown, and Teacher. A Virginia native, he graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts before receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah University. Currently, Trey is a company member and teaching artist for Treehouse Shakers and has performed in their productions of <b>Hatched</b>, <b>Let’s Talk About IT!</b> and <b>Under the Tangle</b>. Under Treehouse Shakers’ leadership, he has taught classes and residencies from pre-school to college. Trey has worked at Troy University, teaching and setting pieces for their Dance and Theatre Departments and is currently on faculty at Broadway Boot Camp as an Acting Teacher and Choreographer. For four years, Trey served as the Master Musical Theatre Instructor and Acting for Dancers Teacher at the Joffrey Ballet School's Summer South Intensive. His performance career began on the road portraying Frank Lippencott in the National Tour of "Wonderful Town" and as The Cat in The Hat in "Seussical." Regionally, he was seen as L.A. in "Gypsy" at North Shore Music Theatre (starring Vicki Lewis) and as Posner in the regional premiere of "The History Boys" at Northern Stage Company. As a Choreographer Trey’s credits include: The Pirates of Penzance at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre and Hairspray (SSMT 2017), Wonderful Town at The Gallery Players, Harold Pinter's "The Lover" at Gamut Theatre, Goodnight Moon, and Nine at Hollins University. Associate Choreographer credits include: A Little Night Music at The Gallery Players (NYIT Nominee for Outstanding Production of a Musical), Rent, Dreamgirls, and Evita (The Gallery Players). Additional choreographer credits include: Oklahoma! (Burton Center for the Performing Arts), Into The Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Annie Get Your Gun (Byrd Players), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Jefferson Center). Recently he premiered two piece for SIDEWAYS, a contemporary dance/theatre company based in Atlanta and did interactive workshops with the Foster Schmidt Dance Academy for Down Syndrome. Trey is one of the creators of the new musical Sam’s Room. Sam’s Room was part of the National Alliance of Musical Theatre’s (NAMT) 2017 Festival of New Musicals, was the inaugural recipient of New York Theatre Barn's IMPACT Award, part of Red Mountain Theatre Company’s first Human Rights New Works Festival and played an extended sold out developmental production at the Cell Theatre. Trey is a proud member of Actors Equity Association, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and The Dramatists Guild of America.</span>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-65168252540093388482019-09-09T08:51:00.009-07:002019-09-09T10:22:45.336-07:00Summer Break 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Island Summer 2019</td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />Now that school is officially in full swing, and the lazy days of summer are sadly behind us, I can't help but to reflect on our last few months. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">I love bucket lists. We make a family bucket list at the beginning of every season. Our summer bucket list helps us to accomplish all the things we have been dreaming about during the bitter New York City winter. It is also a time to be with our family more when our schedules aren't as hectic. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Our priorities move from what must be done, to how we can enjoy each other, the weather, the moments.</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Visit Fire Island</li>
<li>Go to Avon-By-The Sea</li>
<li>Visit Family throughout the U.S.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
We started by visiting the place where we were married, Avon-by-The-Sea, NJ. We stay at the same Bed & Breakfast we have been staying at on and off since 2004. Our daughter has been coming here since she could walk. It is important to have family traditions, and this is definitely one of our favorites. We love the beach. The local restaurants. Eating breakfast at the Inn and then taking long meandering walks. This year though, we went during some of the hottest days on record. The extreme heat still didn't stop us from swimming in the ocean, hanging out at the local pool, and dancing on the boardwalk. Because of the heat, the evenings were filled with all kinds of birds who came down to the local lake to cool off. We saw a beautiful heron one night, an egret, and a gaggle of geese all drinking from the lake and swimming. It was magical.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heron on the Lake in across from the Inn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our daughter feeling the wind while standing on the banks in the town I grew up in, Green River, WY</td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />We also returned to Fire Island to visit with friends, soak in the quiet, the pace, and good conversations. We made a great journey to Wyoming to visit my family. Always amazed to remember that I was raised around mountains and open skies. I have lived in NYC longer than I lived in Wyoming, and although both places are completely opposite of each other, I feel at home in both. We also snuck in an unexpected trip to visit my husband's family in Kentucky and Ohio. It is always so fun to be surrounded by our family, playing games, eating dinner, laughing, telling stories. It does make us sad to live so far away from each other. I envy our city friends who live in the same buildings and blocks as their parents, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents. We have chosen New York City because it is a place which has been generous to us, allowed us to be ourselves and truly follow our dreams. But every once in awhile, we ache for the closeness of our extended family.</span><br />
<br />
Also on our bucket list:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>Rock Climbing (for my daughter)</li>
<li>Sleep overs (also for my daughter)</li>
<li>Practice Spanish (All of us) </li>
<li>Read New Books (All of us)</li>
</ul>
</div>
We did all of these things with such joy.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our sweet boy, Seamus Blue, enjoying daughter's birthday packages in June.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But sadly, in the middle of our summer happiness and enjoyment, we were hit by some very upsetting and hard news. Our sweet cat Seamus Blue, only three and half years old, was found to have fluid around his heart and lungs. We took him to the vet after he had a very terrible bout of breathing. While he was having the fluid removed, we were told even more devastating news. Seamus had a blood clot lurking underneath his heart. The vet said if it were to explode, it would be the very worse pain, and a terrible death. He told us we should put him to sleep immediately. At first I couldn't comprehend what was happening. Instead, I took our boy home to be with him a little longer. We loved on him with all of our hearts, spoiled him with delicious tuna fillets and played his favorite classical music. It was devastating. We found the kindest vet, Dr. Donna O'Leary, who came to our home to put him to sleep and send him onto his next journey. She made a very hard process so much easier. She surrounded our sweet boy (and us) with love. He never had to venture to the vet's office.<br />
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I still hear the pitter of his feet in the morning, feeling his constant kisses, and I truly miss his silly antics.<br />
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<br />
We miss our boy. Terribly.<br />
<br />
You will always be our sweet boy Seamus Blue. We loved you with all of our hearts. And we still do.<br />
<br />
Enjoy the rainbow, until we have the chance to hold you again.<br />
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<div>
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Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-14681302401695323302019-06-11T09:49:00.003-07:002019-06-11T09:57:55.555-07:00Behind The Performance of The Boy Who Grew Flowers <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have been a fan of <a href="https://www.barefootbooks.com/" target="_blank">Barefoot Books </a>since its inception. For over 20 years I have used Barefoot Books in our classroom arts in education teachings, and more importantly, I have used these books as references when performing traditional oral storytelling. When we began presenting <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://treehouseshakers.com/productions/hatched/" target="_blank">Hatched</a> </b>in New York City, our show for the very young, one of the ambassadors set up a booth to sell the wonderful board books, puppets and other offerings from Barefoot. The books and products are truly sustenance for young minds, created with beautiful artwork, excellent storytelling, and powerful messaging. A Barefoot Book is truly a treasure for young people and their grown-ups. The Barefoot Books’ mission aligns well with the Treehouse Shakers’ mission; we are committed to creating high-quality, thoughtful and engaging arts programming for young people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Barefoot Book's The Boy Who Grew Flowers, Illustration by Steve Adams</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I was thrilled when we received the rights to one of our favorite Barefoot Books’ <b>The Boy Who Grew Flowers</b> by Jen Wojtowicz to adapt into a play. This book has great meaning to us, as it was written for the author’s brother who has autism and is a delightful and thoughtful story that explores diversity, navigating adversity, creating empathy and celebrating individualism. Once we announced that we were including <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Boy Who Grew Flowers </b>into our touring roster, and would premiere the work in at The Ailey Citigroup Theater in April 2019, we immediately received a commission from The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, under director Seth Soloway, to finish making and to present the piece in their upcoming 2020 season. The performance already has numerous additional touring dates throughout the U.S. beginning in the fall of 2019 through Spring 2020.</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadow Puppetry in The Boy Who Grew Flowers</td></tr>
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Adapting a book into a dance-play for Treehouse Shakers, was my first. Over our 23 years I have written and directed all of the original plays. By doing an adaptation, I wanted to be true to the nature of the book by creating a compelling, poetic narrative while also creating the awe-inspired feeling that is experienced while reading The Boy Who Grew Flowers. The design reflects the book’s visual aesthetic, without copying, through artistic diversity and visual beauty, allowing the play to be compelling and profound through its own merit. The piece explores varying theatrical styles, helping to present an emotionally captivating and intrinsically layered visual story, while embracing the rich flavors of Americana folklore. The puppetry is visually enticing, texturally rich, and specifically created to delight young viewers. Various sizes of handmade shadow puppets help to create an immersive visual story, while dance, beautifully choreographed by Emily Bunning, is woven throughout. The music composition by Martyn Axe, incorporates musical influences of mountain folk songs, bluegrass and swing, creating a rhythmic, down-home and compelling original soundtrack. The music expertly tells the story of the setting, the emotional landscape of the characters, while also being symbiotic with the choreography, acting and puppetry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boy Who Grew Flowers at Ailey Citigroup Theater<br />
Featuring John Noel & Katie Montoya</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times";">After premiering the piece this past April, we presented the work for our first touring date at Laguardia Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York. Following one of the school-time performances, the cast and I were greeted by some of the kindergarten students. One of the teachers introduced us to her class, and then asked, “What was the thrust of this play?” One little girl raised her hand and said, “We should always judge others by their heart and not by their face.” Another young boy said, “Show kindness to others.” And then a very adamant boy, who was jumping enthusiastically in the air said, “The play was about finding world peace.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times";">If the story of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Boy Who Grew Flowers</b> is allowing five-year old students to imagine a world of kindness, love and peace, then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> is truly the positive impact of creating high-quality storytelling to nourish young minds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-6209165291676600282019-05-31T10:05:00.002-07:002019-05-31T10:15:40.995-07:00Creative Spring:: Celebrating 22 YearsThis has been an incredibly busy spring. We opened a new play, <a href="https://treehouseshakers.com/productions/the-boy-who-grew-flowers/" target="_blank">The Boy Who Grew Flowers</a>, while continuing to tour our other work, run our arts in residency programs, and plan for our next season. We also held our annual Spring Benefit, celebrating 22 years. This year our board and benefit committee, chose to honor myself and Emily Bunning for our impact on the field of young audiences.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Treehouse Shakers' Board Members with Mara McEwin & Emily Bunning </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8U5ePsBrYwqfJwPZdOQ4ByxCyWcKJcI-bU6vj61Zgv8mECBNUMFkaHwbjkzGld7N151qqYHl8vll3vQvA-lCpfoySGIz1f1OZathCWjQQUFxYsm_fVVbgEjMejY6_J3GdUVBHAzpawo0/s1600/Company+TreehouseShakersBenefit_ChristopherDuggan-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8U5ePsBrYwqfJwPZdOQ4ByxCyWcKJcI-bU6vj61Zgv8mECBNUMFkaHwbjkzGld7N151qqYHl8vll3vQvA-lCpfoySGIz1f1OZathCWjQQUFxYsm_fVVbgEjMejY6_J3GdUVBHAzpawo0/s640/Company+TreehouseShakersBenefit_ChristopherDuggan-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our Treehouse Shakers' company members at the annual benefit, snapping photos in our photo booth display</td></tr>
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In 1999, I co-founded one of the first festivals of works for children in NYC, Nino Nada. For this festival, <a href="https://treehouseshakers.com/" target="_blank">Treehouse Shakers</a> made our first performance for children, <b>Flying Through Rainbows</b>. We also received our first NY Times Review. Treehouse Shakers was officially on the map. A few years later following one of our performances of <b>Animal Rhythms </b>in Manhattan, a child asked me, “Did you know we live next to water? Today, I traveled over a bridge, there was water and then I got to see your play.” The child was from the Tompkins NYCHA Houses in Bed-Sty. The year was 2002. And it wasn’t unusual to meet kids who had never left their NYC neighborhood, let alone had ever seen a live performance. NYC, the cultural capital of the world, was leaving out whole populations of children and families to being exposed to the arts, simply because of socio-economic disparities. This was true for children in other neighborhoods of New York City as well. Children living blocks from Broadway, children living in Tribeca at the Catherine Family Homeless Shelter, children living in the neighborhood of Bayside, Queens and countless others. Our subsidized ticketing programs, discounted and sometimes free workshops, mattered. But accessibility wasn’t just a phenomenon in NYC. Preschool students in Connecticut, to children in rural Wyoming, had never seen a live performance before we toured to their town.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audiences at Treehouse Shakers' Production of Hatched</td></tr>
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We have raised generations of children on Treehouse Shakers. A few years ago, I had a mother tell me after a performance of <b>Hatched</b>, that she had taken her son out of elementary school to see our show at BAM. He had seen the show three times before in preschool, and now that his younger brother was seeing the show, he begged to come too. This child was from the same school in Brooklyn, the same NYCHA Housing project, that in 2002, a child had told me he had never seen a live performance. To me, this was the clear marker of the power of Treehouse Shakers’ impact.<br />
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The arts expose our young people to great thought, experiences, arts and knowledge. Every child, no matter who they are, what circumstances they face, no matter their age, or abilities, deserves to have access to the very highest quality of work. We are introducing young people to a new art form, and so we cannot give anything less than the very best of experiences. We pride ourselves in pushing ourselves as artists, as creators, and as a non-profit, to continue to influence our field, grow as an organization, and impact the lives of young people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the benefit display, presenting some of the postcards of our productions over the years, while featuring the honorees.</td></tr>
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Thank you for supporting Treehouse Shakers.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Treehouse Shakers is a non-profit entity. Through your support we are able to provide subsidized theater tickets to thousands of young people to see our live performances in a professional theater setting, as well as provide award-winning residencies in the schools.<br />
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Your donation is fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You can make a donation through our <a href="https://treehouseshakers.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="http://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/72859" target="_blank">Pay Pal Charity</a>, or by check.<br />
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<b>To pay by check, please mail to:</b><br />
Treehouse Shakers<br />
Radio City Station<br />
P.O. Box 186,<br />
New York, NY 10101<br />
Attention: Mara McEwin<br />
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For inquiries about giving, or matching gifts please contact <a href="mailto:ebunning@treehouseshakers.com">ebunning@treehouseshakers.com</a><br />
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Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-91889746788285236222019-03-04T10:23:00.004-08:002019-03-04T10:37:01.084-08:00What Are Relaxed PerformancesTreehouse Shakers' Olive & Pearl will return to BAM Fisher this March. We have two Relaxed Performance options for these performances. Relaxed Performances are part of our commitment to making our work accessible to all. Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who will benefit from a less restrictive audience environment, including those with sensory processing conditions, Autism, and learning or intellectual disabilities, but all are welcome.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive & Pearl, Photo Credit, Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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Olive & Pearl, for ages 2-5, tells the story of a young girl, Olive, who is raised by her Granny, Pearl. Centered on thematic elements of home, and what a home means, young audiences are invited into a cozy and gentle world, rich with sensory experiences. The story follows Olive throughout her day, as she is affectionately taken care of by her grandmother. Granny Pearl builds fires, warms tea, makes meals, has a comforting lap to tell stories on and safe arms to rock Olive to sleep. Throughout their day the characters play, go on an imaginary journey to the moon, sing songs, and dance. Puppets, who reinforce the imagery of home, create additional characters; there is a mouse in its hole, and a fish in its water bowl and fairies in their fairy tree. Home is not only the structure of one’s house, but the place one longs for to feel safety, love and warmth. Magical, visual, stimulating, and oftentimes funny, Olive & Pearl is performed through beautiful puppetry, dance and an original live music score inspired by melodies of Bluegrass, Irish Fiddle, and traditional lullabies. A first introduction into live theatre, Olive & Pearl is both a mirror and a window, for the very young child, into what is the meaning of home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audiences At Olive & Pearl. Photo Credit, Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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At its heart, theater is about inclusion. Since the beginning of producing work for young people, Treehouse Shakers has been committed to serving families and students from low-income and underserved populations. Incorporating the Relaxed Performance (RP) model helps us to continue our commitment to serving all children. It is truly up to us, the performing arts community, to expand our definitions of inclusivity, equity and diversity, and shape the dialogue and actions around making theater for all. For our relaxed performance versions, will seat less audience members with individual seating of grass patches, made out of comfortable, furry fabrics, with tied knots that children who need to fidget can easily twirl and adjust. The performance itself is gentle, created with large moments and movements for those who have difficulty processing or following emotional cues. We will have a "Chill Out" room outside of the theater, with a monitor for children who would like to follow the show without other audience members. Our ushers are all trained in the RP model. Being sensitive to the needs of audiences, allows our work to be inclusive, equitable and impact a greater number of young people and families.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8y4bzR40iR6RM08P4eDCHGazY7ihMVgtrftDy48XfchWOT06_Qh-gQWpa4kpRImMfCj8FWD5pJRoJmvyF-RzEHCZTAST24k7pJviM6FGjOqH_NJVk_TX2tRjDt2BjX6cgUD32XBpbqE/s1600/Edited+Knitting+Olive+and+Pearl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8y4bzR40iR6RM08P4eDCHGazY7ihMVgtrftDy48XfchWOT06_Qh-gQWpa4kpRImMfCj8FWD5pJRoJmvyF-RzEHCZTAST24k7pJviM6FGjOqH_NJVk_TX2tRjDt2BjX6cgUD32XBpbqE/s640/Edited+Knitting+Olive+and+Pearl.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive & Pearl, Photo Credit, Christopher Duggan<br />
<a name='more'></a></td></tr>
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<b><br />Treehouse Shakers' Olive & Pearl</b><br />
<b>Where:</b><br />
BAM Fisher, Hillman Studio<br />
321 Ashland Place<br />
Brooklyn, NY 11217<br />
<br />
<b>When: </b><br />
<b>General Performances</b><br />
March 15 & 18 @10:30AM<br />
March 16 & 17 @11:00 AM<br />
<b>Relaxed Performances:</b><br />
March 15 & 18 @11:45AM<br />
<br />
<b>Info & Purchase Tickets</b><br />
<b><a href="https://oliveandpearl2019.brownpapertickets.com/">https://oliveandpearl2019.brownpapertickets.com</a></b><br />
<br />
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature, and Individual Contributions to Treehouse Shakers. This event is presented by Treehouse Shakers. Regular BAM house, ticketing and membership policies may not apply.<br />
<br />Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-20927527617722437462019-01-14T10:58:00.004-08:002019-01-24T20:22:33.561-08:00New Premiere::The Boy Who Grew FlowersHappy New Year! Treehouse Shakers is excited to announce that this season we will premiere a new work, <b><a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/the-boy-who-grew-flowers/" target="_blank">The Boy Who Grew Flowers</a></b>. This is the first time that Treehouse has created a production using a picture book. To be honest, I was wary about using a book. This is the "typical" model in Theater for Young Audiences. We have always prided ourselves on creating original works, based on original stories, that are far from typical. A few years ago though, we sent out a questionnaire to schools, audience members, donors, our agent and presenters. We were hoping the questionnaire would help with our company development. One thing that Presenting Theaters outside of the East Coast (and our agent, who also received these inquiries) asked; would we ever consider presenting a book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ff9ZGT1ZweGbV33XyDLSNpKBjmgPfLnEuSGM9qAdwejseg4gIptCRf4W4TYpcyEt-3mJXSKo81teOChoqZuyySs7t1nGe5u8_lZmgBn57JIW6DgPuTg5SOxT3M3TKGSDjrUr70b6ysE/s1600/The+boy+Who+Grew+Flowers+Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1024" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ff9ZGT1ZweGbV33XyDLSNpKBjmgPfLnEuSGM9qAdwejseg4gIptCRf4W4TYpcyEt-3mJXSKo81teOChoqZuyySs7t1nGe5u8_lZmgBn57JIW6DgPuTg5SOxT3M3TKGSDjrUr70b6ysE/s640/The+boy+Who+Grew+Flowers+Small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Barefoot Book's Picture Book, The Boy Who Grew Flowers, Image by Steve Adams</td></tr>
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When my daughter turned five, I gave a favorite book to all of her guests as a parting gift; Barefoot Books' <b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/the-boy-who-grew-flowers-jen-wojtowicz/1007170970/2686753031256?st=PLA&sid=BNB_Core+Catch-All,+Low&sourceId=PLAGoNA&dpid=tdtve346c&2sid=Google_c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIscGnke_t3wIVySaGCh3b_QsZEAYYASABEgIMX_D_BwE" target="_blank">The Boy Who Grew Flowers</a></b> by Jennifer Wojtowicz. It's a beautiful book with illustrations by Steve Adams. After that birthday party, parents would stop me in the neighborhood to tell me how much their family enjoyed reading this book. Fast forward a few years and several productions later, Emily (my creative partner) and I were having a meeting. Planning for the future of the company. We have always alternated ideas of what to make next. For example; <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/hatched/" target="_blank"><b>Hatched</b></a> was my creative idea, <u><a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/under-the-tangle/" target="_blank"><b>Under the Tangle</b></a></u> hers, <b><a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/olive-pearl/" target="_blank">Olive & Pearl</a> </b>mine (but we both made the piece.) For the most part, we have always supported each other in the creation, collaboration and production. At this meeting she was particularly excited, "I have the perfect idea for our next show." Up to this point, I was fixated on only making work for the very young, but then she brought out the book I had given at the party, "The Boy Who Grew Flowers." It was a very big A-HA moment for me. It seemed absolutely perfect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zmPn-QZSVUOzkMZJDcfJD4Xam3O3GSf6rNhLigiT1cf0dgP4lXjUORKbJxPSk-Caq6ZFYykpZ-qMFxFA-v24by09GXZla0xrljrryEcbEh3JGZaDOAB9n0qqiBEGsDBZDlZ-vnQg_dM/s1600/The+Boy+Who+5X7+front+150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zmPn-QZSVUOzkMZJDcfJD4Xam3O3GSf6rNhLigiT1cf0dgP4lXjUORKbJxPSk-Caq6ZFYykpZ-qMFxFA-v24by09GXZla0xrljrryEcbEh3JGZaDOAB9n0qqiBEGsDBZDlZ-vnQg_dM/s640/The+Boy+Who+5X7+front+150.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration by Steve Adams, Postcard Design by Appolllo Bey</td></tr>
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There was just one giant hurdle. We had no idea how to get the rights to someone else's work. One day I will write an entire post on how this is done, and how long the process really takes. But after many calls to Artistic Friends, companies, and our wonderful former board member and lawyer, Linda Novak, we eventually secured the rights from Barefoot Books. Now I am a BIG fan of Barefoot Books. As a storyteller, I have used their books for years. To be able to adapt one of their books is an honor. But then came the hard part. How to turn a relatively short picture book into a robust 50 minute play. Fast forward nearly a year later, and many creative rehearsals with our incredibly talented company. We have spent hours upon hours of experimentation, exploration and creation to make a piece that reflects our artistry, while being authentic to the original story. As of today, we have a nearly finished production that incorporates original music, puppetry, dance and theater. We are excited to announce that the first production will open this April in New York City.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4VVYv8-3B-bH900aAxIBj2JlxfhgtMahrapl76LsGl-QAUZjDz2_CWgDVSQf7i-xmm_avpI0XCO0C6fN3_8tJLdcjko4D7NY9s0tybLHOuDc7LFzqV9EUMU030LGFbHhH4AEOoQ6KHk/s1600/playing+with+shadows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4VVYv8-3B-bH900aAxIBj2JlxfhgtMahrapl76LsGl-QAUZjDz2_CWgDVSQf7i-xmm_avpI0XCO0C6fN3_8tJLdcjko4D7NY9s0tybLHOuDc7LFzqV9EUMU030LGFbHhH4AEOoQ6KHk/s640/playing+with+shadows.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with Shadows during a Fall Space Grant at Flushing Town Hall</td></tr>
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<b>The Boy Who Grew Flowers</b>, for ages 5-10 and their families, is a stunning visual performance. It is the story of a young boy, Rink Bowagon, who lives on top of Lonesome Mountain with his unusual family of rattlesnake tamers and shape-shifters. The townspeople agree that Rink's family are quite strange, but they are unaware of Rink's spectacular gifts. Whenever the moon is full, Rink sprouts beautiful flowers from his head. When a new girl, Angelina, moves to town, Rink's life truly begins to grow. <b>The Boy Who Grew Flowers</b> is a thoughtful and magical story that lends itself to themes of diversity, creating empathy & celebrating individualism.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned as we continue share posts and information about this exciting new work. And to all the presenters who asked us to use a picture book, I am excited to fulfill their request, while remaining true to Treehouse Shakers' aesthetics and artistry.<br />
<a name='more'></a> <b>You Are Invited</b><br />
<b>Treehouse Shakers’ The Boy Who Grew Flowers </b><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Based on the Picture Book By Jen Wojtowicz<br />
Play Adaption By Mara McEwin<br />
Choreographed By Emily Bunning<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Costumes & Puppetry By Patti Gilstrap<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Set Design & Lighting By Cody Grey<br />
Original Music By Martyn Axe<br />
<b>Performers:</b> Ashley Chavonne, Katie Montoya, John Noel, Miranda Wilson, <br />
Spencer Wilson Understudy: Cheyenne Mesura<br />
<br />
<b>When: </b> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>April 11& 12, 2019 @11AM<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>April 13 & 14, 2019 @3PM<br />
<br />
<b>Where:<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b> The Ailey Citigroup Theater<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>405 W. 55th St. (Corner of 9th Ave.)<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>New York, NY 10019<br />
<br />
<b>Purchase Tickets: </b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://theboywhogrewflowers2019.bpt.me/">https://theboywhogrewflowers2019.bpt.me</a><br />
<b>Info:<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b> (212) 715-1914/ <a href="http://www.treehouseshakers.com/">www.treehouseshakers.com</a><br />
<br />
<i>This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature, and Individual Contributions to Treehouse Shakers. Flushing Town Hall provided a 2018 Space Grant for the initial creation of this piece. This event is presented by Treehouse Shakers.</i><br />
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Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-41234682167622087982018-09-20T18:11:00.002-07:002020-01-09T10:14:50.496-08:00Meet Our Company Members: John Noel<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibllv0OetfI0w7sXpm6FyOSy0naHivicKJCAQmJWOhw3OUlfCjBteTuwkKbPMrdOq_KieeBzT0DOClCw7oOEP9hNDg8rFqx03deUNzjbhtGTlpf8fh-ZmcZGk4hZz3fUwMEL4GvkD_FMM/s1600/hr_20160503_TreehouseShakers-Hatched_ChristopherDuggan_038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibllv0OetfI0w7sXpm6FyOSy0naHivicKJCAQmJWOhw3OUlfCjBteTuwkKbPMrdOq_KieeBzT0DOClCw7oOEP9hNDg8rFqx03deUNzjbhtGTlpf8fh-ZmcZGk4hZz3fUwMEL4GvkD_FMM/s640/hr_20160503_TreehouseShakers-Hatched_ChristopherDuggan_038.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Noel in Treehouse Shakers' Hatched, Photo Credit By Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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<b>Tell us about yourself and how did you become a part of Treehouse Shakers? How long have you been with the company? What is your role(s) with the company?</b><br />
I auditioned for Treehouse Shakers about 4 years ago. I was auditioning in a room full of dancers that were clearly better than me, and I felt so sure walking out of the room, that I didn't get the part. Apparently though, I had the best "Moo." I've been performing in Treehouse Shakers' show for the very early years, <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/hatched/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Hatched</a>, ever since. I play a farmer, a rooster, baby birds, and you guessed it... a cow. We are now working on a stage adaptation of the book, <b>The Boy Who Grew Flowers</b>,<b> </b>in which I will be playing the lead, Rink Bowagon. Honestly, couldn't be more excited!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPg7Mz2n0Fh5U0hyphenhyphen51aTPt9K2plNILEZ722Hh8SedV-altRTmIV6rb1Mi3uLCZjJpWlohy6xCCsn-KOgijKqpV3Hum51Sw7XQWjqeFOb9RjpF9oUaYiNf1soNehO1_7oiaC8EVYlSPrQ/s1600/hr_20160503_TreehouseShakers-Hatched_ChristopherDuggan_096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPg7Mz2n0Fh5U0hyphenhyphen51aTPt9K2plNILEZ722Hh8SedV-altRTmIV6rb1Mi3uLCZjJpWlohy6xCCsn-KOgijKqpV3Hum51Sw7XQWjqeFOb9RjpF9oUaYiNf1soNehO1_7oiaC8EVYlSPrQ/s640/hr_20160503_TreehouseShakers-Hatched_ChristopherDuggan_096.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Noel as the Farmer in Hatched, 2016, Photo Credit Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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<b>What has been your favorite role to play?</b><br />
The rooster for sure. You get to crow real loudly and generally be kind of a jerk. But like, a fun jerk.<br />
<br />
<b>Tell us about a favorite audience moment you’ve had as a performer.</b><br />
When the kids say goodbye to all the puppets like they are their new best friends, it gets me everytime. When they come back a year, or even years, later and remember the show and still love it... that's my absolute favorite.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9KMvx5PUtyPWqMOZByWZJUr-BGOhlPIH67omG3-f_xvV_nPeTGzWV8ZScxUsRyh3vZgO6icljqj_eACWSMhKwvUV1D5x09U6C44QNfLZQVpAJezJJJe8zxYrdqZ5kPhzLbhiabxnAPc/s1600/Rooster+hatched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9KMvx5PUtyPWqMOZByWZJUr-BGOhlPIH67omG3-f_xvV_nPeTGzWV8ZScxUsRyh3vZgO6icljqj_eACWSMhKwvUV1D5x09U6C44QNfLZQVpAJezJJJe8zxYrdqZ5kPhzLbhiabxnAPc/s640/Rooster+hatched.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Noel as the Rooster in Hatched, Also featured Katie Montoya & Miranda Wilson</td></tr>
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<br />
<b>What makes Treehouse Shakers work unique or different than other companies you might have worked with?</b><br />
Treehouse Shakers never makes work that talks down to children. Or underestimates them. They make good theatre. Period. I've seen <b>Under the Tangle</b> multiple times, and I feel like even as an adult I see something new every time.<br />
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<b>What does it mean to celebrate 20 years with Treehouse Shakers?</b><br />
I'm in awe. I can't even believe I get to associate myself with this company. All the years of work and creative energy is just so amazing to me. To last 20 years is incredible. To have this amazing body of work, connection to the community, and commitment to making it work is what makes Treehouse Shakers so special.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThCvRHPir63Ei3lmLy6iA5AlTAwffGjuEojvkSGy38JLkDZslEbUkJaXw8KJXQ7Lg49fzT5UFps2gr2Xw7GWgp_sToUetg_aOQFeFro2V25YobfenkAw8GWqjZ7cfR8tlEz1nKzn7mvo/s1600/Treehouse+Shakers+Hatched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThCvRHPir63Ei3lmLy6iA5AlTAwffGjuEojvkSGy38JLkDZslEbUkJaXw8KJXQ7Lg49fzT5UFps2gr2Xw7GWgp_sToUetg_aOQFeFro2V25YobfenkAw8GWqjZ7cfR8tlEz1nKzn7mvo/s640/Treehouse+Shakers+Hatched.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatched on Tour at Lake Placid Center for the Arts, NY<br />
Featured: John Noel (Top Row)<br />
Katie Montoya, Miranda Wilson and Travis Blackwell (Bottom Row)</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpmiGJnxPOW0RMYFvuQGqKd845XBkh3HPAYjdTsp-I8f1OjKNmYFVf8C5ENJ8MxiMjOTdzziUb_dhMTAW59xPnYPzbFcRiqsob4Pe3hOXzNMDFXBHpZ2uk8JR3JK9xteY__jnHPDkYCU/s1600/John+Noel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1185" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpmiGJnxPOW0RMYFvuQGqKd845XBkh3HPAYjdTsp-I8f1OjKNmYFVf8C5ENJ8MxiMjOTdzziUb_dhMTAW59xPnYPzbFcRiqsob4Pe3hOXzNMDFXBHpZ2uk8JR3JK9xteY__jnHPDkYCU/s200/John+Noel.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>
<b>About John Noel</b><br />
John Noel has been performing since he was nine years old. At thirteen he was accepted to the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in Connecticut to study acting. Then he moved onto the Hartford Conservatory to study further study theater. Favorite roles include Hatched, The Boy Who Grew Flowers, Horatio in Hamlet (American Theatre of Actors), Andrei in Three Sisters (Onomatopoeia Theatre Co.), Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol (13th St. Rep.), and Juror #2 in 12 Angry Men (CityShow). He’s also toured the country with Poetry Alive! Read More at www.john-noel.comMara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-90419457409454242852018-08-29T12:16:00.001-07:002018-08-31T07:35:04.302-07:00Summertime Bucket Lists<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AtIObwx6Vhmur3ehyphenhyphenY0Bj1nxdP4B5F-nYzzo4HgUIe6SPkkxZCtWzOPRyf5bO-nVSMMSy9MnI2Tb1MCGOpeWl_TK9TqDBd9B9Vh9cbGlNR2GbA9WSkHGlqb9aN2XO76z2f0AGtpAUNg/s1600/Fire+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AtIObwx6Vhmur3ehyphenhyphenY0Bj1nxdP4B5F-nYzzo4HgUIe6SPkkxZCtWzOPRyf5bO-nVSMMSy9MnI2Tb1MCGOpeWl_TK9TqDBd9B9Vh9cbGlNR2GbA9WSkHGlqb9aN2XO76z2f0AGtpAUNg/s640/Fire+Island.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Island, NY </td></tr>
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Every summer, since my daughter was little, we've made a family bucket list of activities and goals to enjoy. The bucket list is a great way for us to make sure we achieve all of our favorite activities. Like most mothers, I love the summer break, but I also find the break to be a balancing act. It becomes challenging to work from home, accomplishing the daily chores of child rearing, while addressing childhood boredom. Making the list creates an exciting blueprint for the summer, that we can both look forward to.<br />
<br />
Some of the activities on my daughter's list were:<br />
<ul>
<li>Going To American Girl Doll Store</li>
<li>Fire Island Vacation</li>
<li>Going To The Beach</li>
<li>Sewing Lesson with Patti Gilstrap</li>
<li>Learning Spanish</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Puig-GT98EF7GBRY9ARlmkTyr9GbK0th6fQNpvKzMpX74ixcXEXIhgpnJOtGt-HGHIsMnwB8a-ykYbaiLjKlTbW-yKdTJncWSmo3DFMKNA0rItzeyui3WMiyKhfNPjCESF99GNDQOFQ/s1600/American+Girl+2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Puig-GT98EF7GBRY9ARlmkTyr9GbK0th6fQNpvKzMpX74ixcXEXIhgpnJOtGt-HGHIsMnwB8a-ykYbaiLjKlTbW-yKdTJncWSmo3DFMKNA0rItzeyui3WMiyKhfNPjCESF99GNDQOFQ/s640/American+Girl+2018.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hair Styling at American Girl Doll Store, NYC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I am proud to say we accomplished her list. Including her sewing lesson. Since kiddo was six years old, she's had sewing lessons with Patti Gilstrap. Patti, is an incredible costume designer in New York City and the co-owner of <a href="https://www.flirt-brooklyn.com/collections/classes-and-workshops" target="_blank">Home Ec and Flirt.</a> She's also Treehouse Shakers' longtime puppet and costume designer. This summer they made a doll, a sister to the cloth doll that was made last year. My daughter also expressed interest in learning Spanish over the summer. Since my Spanish is limited, I ordered <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15822723-52-weeks-of-family-spanish" target="_blank">52 Weeks of Family Spanish by Eileen McAree</a>, and several workbooks. This has been an outstanding activity we've added to our daily routine. We also are seemingly getting better at deciphering Spanish-Speaking New Yorkers' conversations on the bus. But the best highlight of my daughter's summer was getting her ears pierced and having her hair styled at the <a href="https://www.americangirl.com/retail/new_york_city.php" target="_blank">American Girl Doll store</a>. We couldn't have chosen a better place to have her ears pierced, and absolutely loved the stylist. What a magical memory this will always be.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3IPXKY3xOMujDkaxAsIy8onVCnJDy3xJLdoBEKtQn0gCreOzaJeB3C95emzXpUbM9KHR7MtdXxODNNO5y17XFyr9k8HdKuzcFfXp5XQOQOcl0RYGg_9N2Ard7WMigOb2XT-9ZLKUSJM/s1600/Jersey+Shore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3IPXKY3xOMujDkaxAsIy8onVCnJDy3xJLdoBEKtQn0gCreOzaJeB3C95emzXpUbM9KHR7MtdXxODNNO5y17XFyr9k8HdKuzcFfXp5XQOQOcl0RYGg_9N2Ard7WMigOb2XT-9ZLKUSJM/s640/Jersey+Shore.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Jersey Shore, 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<br />
Mine were similar, but also included:<br />
<ul>
<li>Do Something Fun & Unexpected</li>
<li>Visit Lemon Ice King of Corona, Queens</li>
<li>Have A Picnic</li>
<li>Take a few days at New Jersey Shore</li>
</ul>
<div>
For something fun and expected, that seemed to happen multiple times. We were fortunate to have been given tickets to experience Arthur Ashe Kids Day at U.S. Open, which we followed up with a family trip to the Lemon Ice King. I also took the ferry to Governor's Island to listen to poetry with a dear friend, and caught up with friends for lunch or coffee while daughter was in a week-long camp. Our family traveled to the New Jersey shore for a long weekend away, where we soaked up long walks, favorite eateries and of course days on the beach. Back in NYC we had multiple picnics in our local neighborhood park, a great way to enjoy weekend lunches.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feel fortunate to live in a city that embraces the arts, culture, fun, and so many interesting and city-supported activities. With only a few days left until the start of school, we simply have one more activity to cross off our list (spending the day at NYC's South Street Seaport.) It's hard to believe that summer is coming to a close. Here's a cheer to another fun-filled and adventurous season of summer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKq9kVFLYZrv_7iWufo06Qg_SBlZ50gmJP4x4GKVYS7SJPVMUVMbzTa-wpYwyxCe-jDifBXoKnjrV-djo5Zj8QDTMcTWhW-5VTtkh4LPEac8ieU_Gs9CNAYAM0Gz46_eq78ySwmtWY34/s1600/Unisphere+orelia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKq9kVFLYZrv_7iWufo06Qg_SBlZ50gmJP4x4GKVYS7SJPVMUVMbzTa-wpYwyxCe-jDifBXoKnjrV-djo5Zj8QDTMcTWhW-5VTtkh4LPEac8ieU_Gs9CNAYAM0Gz46_eq78ySwmtWY34/s640/Unisphere+orelia.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the Unisphere Fountain, after a day at U.S. Open<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>*Photo Credits, Mara McEwin iPhone7</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<br />
<br />Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-49432259889408832322018-06-11T11:20:00.001-07:002018-06-11T11:23:10.471-07:00Meet Our Company Members: Spencer Wilson<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvzz9UTkrorvtnurdRUkncjRrqraR5mzNtAgA9dHPXBjXEcetIEhFC11JpYLC2y3hiJ4kXKnzNeKKecyxFClV4BiTOX5m_oS6ULo788gENYFRyWFM-kmNmXbWQ8AeGEXVArrbqJvRMGo/s1600/Miranda+%2526+SpencerUTT.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvzz9UTkrorvtnurdRUkncjRrqraR5mzNtAgA9dHPXBjXEcetIEhFC11JpYLC2y3hiJ4kXKnzNeKKecyxFClV4BiTOX5m_oS6ULo788gENYFRyWFM-kmNmXbWQ8AeGEXVArrbqJvRMGo/s640/Miranda+%2526+SpencerUTT.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda Wilson (Left), Spencer Wilson (Right), <br />
Following Under the Tangle at Performing Arts Center at Purchase, NY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Tell us about yourself and how did you become a part of Treehouse Shakers? How long have you been with the company? What is your role(s) with the company?</b><br />I am an actor, singer, and dancer hailing originally from Kansas City, MO. I was lucky enough to work in theatre professionally as a growing kid in K.C., and moved to NYC in 2010 for college. I continued another great four years at Marymount Manhattan College while also performing around the city. I studied musical theatre with emphasis on Tap and Fosse dance styles. My sister Miranda Wilson (also a company member) put Treehouse Shakers on my radar many years ago and finally at last in 2017, I auditioned and joined the company. I am an understudy for the dance-mystery Under the Tangle and an original cast member for the new show The Boy Who Grew Flowers. Besides performing I enjoy seeing theatre, central park, and a big bowl of pasta! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>What has been your favorite role to play?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">I loved playing the Boy in <b>Under the Tangle</b> because it was a challenge for me physically, which was a big challenge, but so far I am loving originating the characters in <b>The Boy Who Grew Flowers</b> because it is wonderful to add my stamp onto this original piece and have space to play and create.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Tell us about your favorite audience moment you've had as a performer.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">When I understudied for the Boy in <b>Under the Tangle</b> it was my very first performance with Treehouse Shakers. There were certain moves and dances that proved challenging, therefore my first performance of "Tangle" in front of an audience made me quite nervous, however after the performance my sister (Miranda) and I stood and greeted all the children who fell in love with the characters and wanted to tell us their interpretation and love for the story they just saw. As someone who was extremely nervous and anxious to be sure I performed correctly, the kids excitement and dedication to wanting more from the characters and story was perfect. Knowing that a Treehouse Shakers show might influence someone's mind is very fulfilling. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Uh_u8Yyv5nkKuGQCYfr08vHFPp7-vzr0jKb7pqtU9Iovp0ryWzCBf9a05QQ1P9Mfxqylt67bNuqKSuJSe5WXNKQLdess7ya15omEf1r3GiiRG5c6GMQEqxHMShjSTnHrOpUkK-pVsSI/s1600/20180423_TreehouseShakers-GALA_ChristopherDuggan_028_preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Uh_u8Yyv5nkKuGQCYfr08vHFPp7-vzr0jKb7pqtU9Iovp0ryWzCBf9a05QQ1P9Mfxqylt67bNuqKSuJSe5WXNKQLdess7ya15omEf1r3GiiRG5c6GMQEqxHMShjSTnHrOpUkK-pVsSI/s640/20180423_TreehouseShakers-GALA_ChristopherDuggan_028_preview.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treehouse Shakers' Full Company at the 2018 THS' Annual Benefit<br />
Left to Right: Ashley Ervin, Trey Mitchell, Ashley Chavonne, Emily Bunning, Mara McEwin, Spencer Wilson, John Noel, Miranda Wilson & Katie Montoya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>What makes Treehouse Shakers work unique or different than other companies you might have worked with?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Treehouse Shakers is a great place to create new things, and nothing is out of bounds. We can try different movements or scenarios and having that artistic freedom and working together as a group is a very therapeutic and fulfilling scenario to join. This world of creating and manifesting is a wonderful thing to pass along to the children we dance for, showing them that creativity and art can last a lifetime. We are all adults in the company but every rehearsal its almost like a group of kids excited and happy and hungry to make something beautiful and new. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>What does it mean to celebrate 20 years with Treehouse Shakers?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">I'm the baby of the group having just joined a year ago. For a while I didn't know if Treehouse was a good fit for me because I doubted my own dance ability to do what I had seen Emily and Mara create. Treehouse challenged me in the most amazing way and I always leave rehearsals or shows feeling so happy. I'm grateful to be able to help continue the storytelling that Treehouse Shakers has done for twenty years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Anything else you would like us to know?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Treehouse is a great place to join, and for those hours we are together each week, we get to create and laugh and add something to the great fabric of New York theatre. Thank you Emily, Mara and the entire company for letting me join this wonderful company! Happy 20!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>About Spencer Wilson</b></span></span><br />
<br />
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXS16G_LmzOwpuxRm3IY_LqT53Pn39BnzlGqGfiC2Qb1lHaiBifKb6Btw2ImvZ3QjRgY8Unaw0QPtSkOMIPWtj862WTKGFphO6pBARd2Usi2iPFxovqFanou-HhEa7k1KMSWHh7pzeJU/s1600/Headshot+Spencer+Wilson.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXS16G_LmzOwpuxRm3IY_LqT53Pn39BnzlGqGfiC2Qb1lHaiBifKb6Btw2ImvZ3QjRgY8Unaw0QPtSkOMIPWtj862WTKGFphO6pBARd2Usi2iPFxovqFanou-HhEa7k1KMSWHh7pzeJU/s320/Headshot+Spencer+Wilson.jpeg" width="213" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Spencer Wilson</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Understudy) </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">is celebrating one year
as a member of the Treehouse Shakers family! A graduate from Marymount
Manhattan College for performance and musical theatre, Spencer has been an
actor, singer, dancer and model performing in and around NYC for eight years
including opportunities with Lincoln Center, the York Theatre, and Theatreworks
USA. </span><span style="color: #386eff; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.spencer-wilson.com/">www.spencer-Wilson.com</a> </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Instagram @wilson_spencer</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-67802720767705982682018-05-02T09:51:00.004-07:002018-05-02T09:51:31.770-07:00Introducing Treehouse Shakers' Relaxed PerformancesBeginning May 12, Treehouse Shakers' will present our original piece, <b>Olive & Pearl</b> at BAM Fisher, Hillman Studio. <b>Olive & Pearl</b> is our continuing effort to make high-quality performance work for the very young. The piece is geared towards ages 2-5 years old and their families. Treehouse Shakers is excited to announce that for these performances we will include Relaxed Performances. These performances will be part of our commitment to making our work accessible to all. Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who will benefit from a less restrictive audience environment, including those with sensory processing conditions, Autism, and learning or intellectual disabilities.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Montoya as Olive in Olive & Pearl. Photograph by Christopher Duggan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Olive
& Pearl </b>tells the story of a young girl,
Olive, who is raised by her Granny, Pearl. Centered on thematic elements of
home, and what a home means, young audiences are invited into a cozy and gentle
world, rich with sensory experiences. The story follows Olive throughout her
day, as she is affectionately taken care of by her grandmother. Granny Pearl
builds fires, warms tea, makes meals, has a comforting lap to tell stories on
and safe arms to rock Olive to sleep. Throughout their day the characters play,
go on an imaginary journey to the moon, sing songs, and dance. Puppets, who
reinforce the imagery of home, create additional characters; there is a mouse
in its hole, and a fish in its water bowl and fairies in their fairy tree. Home
is not only the structure of one’s house, but the place one longs for to feel
safety, love and warmth. <span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>Magical, visual, stimulating, and
oftentimes funny, <b>Olive & Pearl</b> is performed through beautiful
puppetry, dance and an original live music score inspired by melodies of
Bluegrass, Irish Fiddle, and traditional lullabies.<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>A first introduction into live
theatre, <b>Olive & Pearl</b> is both a mirror and a window, for the very
young child, into what is the meaning of home. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda Wilson & Katie Montoya in Olive & Pearl. Photographer, Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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<br />At its heart, theater is about inclusion. Since the beginning of producing work for young people, Treehouse Shakers has been committed to serving families and students from low-income and underserved populations. Incorporating the Relaxed Performance (RP) model helps us to continue our commitment to serving all children. It is truly up to us, the performing arts community, to expand our definitions of inclusivity, equity and diversity, and shape the dialogue and actions around making theater for all. For our relaxed performance versions, will seat less audience members with individual seating of grass patches, made out of comfortable, furry fabrics, with tied knots that children who need to fidget can easily twirl and adjust. The performance itself is gentle, created with large moments and movements for those who have difficulty processing or following emotional cues. We will have a "Chill Out" room outside of the theater, with a monitor for children who would like to follow the show without other audience members. Our ushers are all trained in the RP model. Being sensitive to the needs of audiences, allows our work to be inclusive, equitable and impact a greater number of young people and families. Looking ahead, we will continue to add more relaxed performances in our upcoming seasons. For now, I hope you will join us in May.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive & Pearl, photographer Christopher Duggan<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a name='more'></a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Treehouse Shakers' Olive & Pearl<br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Where: </b><br />BAM Fisher, Hillman Studio</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
321 Ashland Place</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Brooklyn, NY 11217</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>When: </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
May 12-14, 2018 @11AM</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Relaxed Performances:</b><br />May 15, 2018 @10AM & 11:30AM</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://olivepearl18.brownpapertickets.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://olivepearl18.brownpapertickets.com/" target="_blank">Info & Purchase Tickets</a><br /><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times;">This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, </span></i><span class="st"><i>New
York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and
the New York Legislature, and Individual Contributions to Treehouse Shakers. </i></span><i>This
event is presented by Treehouse Shakers. Regular BAM house, ticketing and
membership policies may not apply. BAM Fisher is Wheelchair accessible.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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</style>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-61675400028726298012018-03-15T08:02:00.002-07:002018-03-15T08:02:24.045-07:00Meet Our Company Members: Katie Montoya<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Tell us about yourself and how did you become a part of Treehouse Shakers? How long have you been with the company? What is your role(s) with the company?</b>
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I heard about Treehouse Shakers from an audition posting. When I researched the company I could tell it would be a great fit for me and was so excited to be welcomed into the company. This is my 6th season performing with Treehouse Shakers.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvdwen8B-ybxCw0yPb0SFcafQa1vcaCv0iRgJ_9yAlKQoaIldnERbrkg25HpF0_UY2M1Gdp8L82xxhbnRMDisRxUf1TbMUkmtcCY1f0KCy04oTyi7Hlm16E3-eW63I4xafKxzPLFSce0/s1600/Katie+Fairy+Resized.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvdwen8B-ybxCw0yPb0SFcafQa1vcaCv0iRgJ_9yAlKQoaIldnERbrkg25HpF0_UY2M1Gdp8L82xxhbnRMDisRxUf1TbMUkmtcCY1f0KCy04oTyi7Hlm16E3-eW63I4xafKxzPLFSce0/s640/Katie+Fairy+Resized.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie in Olive & Pearl at BAM Fisher. Photographer Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What has been your favorite role to play?</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I've had so much fun being apart of the making of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/olive-pearl/" target="_blank">Olive and Pearl</a></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. Playing Olive is all about being
young and just having fun, and it's such a blast sharing the stage with wonderful performers like
Miranda and Anthony. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-b0ef536f-29f6-d09a-3cc2-602eb11be2ca"><br /><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tell us about a favorite audience moment you’ve had as a performer.
</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of my favorite audience moments is playing the lamb in Hatched. The audience loves to feed the baby lamb her bottle, and there's always lots of hugs for Lambie. There's so much gentleness and true compassion in the kids when they meet the lamb, it's very endearing to be apart of that moment. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Montoya with Lambie at Ailey Studio Theater, Photographer Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What makes Treehouse Shakers work unique or different than other companies you might have worked with?
</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The best thing about Treehouse Shakers' work is its originality. Mara and Emily make shows that they would love to watch themselves and each performance shows off their imagination and creativity while encouraging the audience to use their own imaginations.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie in Under the Tangle, Photographer, Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What does it mean to celebrate 20 years with Treehouse Shakers?
</b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm so happy to see that a company like treehouse shakers has had so much influence on the children and schools of New York City for so long. They have been a steady presence in the arts and education world for young audiences and will continue spreading their magic at a time when audiences need it most.
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-family: Cambria;">Anything Else You would like us to know?</b><span style="font-family: "cambria";"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I'm so grateful to Mara and Emily for making Treehouse Shakers a family. They lead together with grace, friendship, and love and it truly shows in the work we produce as a company.
<b>About Katie Montoya</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQUgvwHXGQXlajKAP33paCqZWxqScyTpY7VCYILXTJzO8rxI8B0UyTf_MbKoyBfOtx4Nuc7TT6Hot8lL2qUt6wU6eBoLf1d5MLyniTQFGCf0okFy6aBXYp_immqJTgz4vzTadHBWXj98/s1600/IMG_8624_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQUgvwHXGQXlajKAP33paCqZWxqScyTpY7VCYILXTJzO8rxI8B0UyTf_MbKoyBfOtx4Nuc7TT6Hot8lL2qUt6wU6eBoLf1d5MLyniTQFGCf0okFy6aBXYp_immqJTgz4vzTadHBWXj98/s200/IMG_8624_2.JPG" width="151" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Katie Montoya </b>is a native of Santa
Fe, New Mexico and attended the University of California, Irvine where she
received a B.A. in dance and drama in 2011. Her studies took her to many parts
of the world, including Ecuador with Dramatic Adventure Theater in 2009, and
Ghana, West Africa in 2010 where she studied both traditional and contemporary
African dance with the Ghana Dance Ensemble. She is currently in her
fifth season with Sarah Berges Dance, a bicoastal modern dance company. Other
company credits include Arcos Dance and Beth Soll and Company. Montoya
recently became a certified Pilates instructor under the instruction of Roberta
Kirschenbaum. She is very grateful for her early training at the National Dance
Institute of New Mexico. Katie is thrilled to be performing her 6th season
with Treehouse Shakers touring in all of their current repertory.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-76729521133878032952018-02-09T08:55:00.004-08:002018-02-09T09:02:07.424-08:00Meet Our Company Members: Miranda Wilson<b>Tell us about yourself and how did you become a part of Treehouse Shakers? How long have you been with the company? What is your role(s) with the company?</b><br />
<br />
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I am an actor/singer/dancer/puppeteer originally from Kansas City, MO and now a proud resident of New York City for the past 12 years. I was at a gathering at a friend’s apartment in August of 2010 and I met Amber Ford and we hit it off. We were talking about all sorts of creative things and it came up that she was part of a dance-theater company that focused on work for young audiences. I was very intrigued. She then said, “We’re actually currently looking for understudies. You would be perfect. You actually look just like one of the founders!” She passed along my info, I came and joined a rehearsal and read through some parts, and the rest is history! It has been an incredibly rewarding and artistically fulfilling 7 years with the Treehouse Shakers and I am now a proud performer in each of the shows in the repertoire. I can be seen as Hatch in<b> <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/hatched/" target="_blank">Hatched</a></b>, Granny Pearl in<b> <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/olive-pearl/" target="_blank">Olive & Pearl,</a> </b>Queen of the Lost in <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/under-the-tangle/" target="_blank"><b>Under the Tangle</b></a>, Little Red in <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/lets-talk-about-it/" target="_blank"><b>Let's Talk About IT!</b></a>, and as one of the actor/narrators in <b>Coyote's Dance</b>, <b>Animal Rhythms</b>, and <b>Desert Travels</b>. And I am extremely excited to start working on the next show, which will premiere in 2019, <b>The Boy Who Grew <br />Flowers</b>.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvOxpaGQM3KDRs0wcXe_JI66jg7VAY2OE5c4gkHxONWZLGQkPvgihNgZFrzTFf6lgcS7rO_VwvCfc3VlPkEnJEtJC3Xh0OOhOjf13F9hrlJN0y3PeDNzim1qclIPsMnCQIyokBQCRdhQ/s1600/hr_20160503_TreehouseShakers-Hatched_ChristopherDuggan_039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvOxpaGQM3KDRs0wcXe_JI66jg7VAY2OE5c4gkHxONWZLGQkPvgihNgZFrzTFf6lgcS7rO_VwvCfc3VlPkEnJEtJC3Xh0OOhOjf13F9hrlJN0y3PeDNzim1qclIPsMnCQIyokBQCRdhQ/s640/hr_20160503_TreehouseShakers-Hatched_ChristopherDuggan_039.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda Wilson (Left) in Hatched, with Cast Members John Noel & Katie Montoya (Photo by Christopher Duggan)</td></tr>
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<b>What has been your favorite role to play?</b>
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Each of the roles that I play are
so different, I don’t think I can claim a favorite! Each role is my favorite
role at the time I’m playing it.
Hatch is wonderful because I get a chance to utilize my marionette
skills and the moments of interacting with the very young audience members is
such a special and unique experience. Granny Pearl is an opportunity to do some
specific character work and an Irish accent. The show is so incredibly
heartwarming and as it is only a 2 person show (well 3 – our guitar
playing gnome, of course), it is really is a special thing to share the stage with
Katie Montoya (who plays Olive) each time we do it…her work is a joy to watch in the show. Queen of the
Lost is probably the most challenging role in my Treehouse repertoire. I
love the role because of that. Having something that challenges you and
stretches you as a performer is a gift to be given and I’m so appreciative of
Emily taking the chance on me to let me perform and develop that role. As being
more predominately an actor, the dancing in this show was a challenge I
loved. I think I will have to say
my favorite role to play is as a Treehouse Shakers company member and I am so
incredibly thankful for all the opportunities Emily and Mara have provided me
to perform.<span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda Wilson as Queen of the Lost, Under the Tangle (Photo by Christopher Duggan)</td></tr>
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<b><br />Tell us about a favorite audience moment you’ve had as a
performer.</b>Oh my goodness…way too many. When you have a show like <b>Hatched </b>where you interact with the audience all the time, the stories really add up. We could probably write a coffee table book of all the funny, touching and sometimes strange audience moments that come out of that show! Most recently, we performed the show at a school in Bronxville and at the end of the show, a teacher with a little girl came up to me. The teacher told me that throughout the whole show, the only thing the little girl wanted to know was my name. So I knelt down and I introduced myself. She told me her name, we talked for a brief moment, and then she ran to her teacher “My new friend’s name is MIRANDA!” After one performance of <b>Olive & Pearl</b>, there was a little girl who did not want to leave because I reminded her of her granny. The mom finally pried her off my lap and told her it was time to go home. “Okay, granny. Come on. It is time to head home!” This was one of our first performances of the show, and I knew we had tapped into the right feeling of this character, the show and that the young audiences would relate. I have recreated the “Moon Dance” with many a child after these shows, and that is also a really special moment. After our performances of <b>Under the Tangle</b> at GK Arts Center last year, I had two young girls come up to me to ask me why my character was so mean to the Little Girl. Was I her mother and if so, why was I so mean? We had a long conversation about how sometimes when you’re young, the things that your mother does or says may feel mean to you in the moment but what she is really doing is to help you learn, grow, and protect you. When you have a perspective on that as you get older, you realize she was just looking out for you after all. And that is truly part of the journey of the Queen of the Lost and the Little Girl in the labyrinth. Their eyes got really big, they thanked me, and as they were walking away they made comments about how they needed to talk to their moms. It was a moment where you realize how powerful art can be when translated into real life. <b><br /></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8beK-Kj_hnnyirm41A0fxxtJhON7YExEPJNMbpUSVXFrivWiHVLJoxKVOiWIpayf-k81AXfNcNjxTr13iBKZvnoZFxblWYI1XBGGVa0g21iTAZ_Xkhys4i4iMC_SQTwA-ynDc7iT3B0M/s1600/20170504_TreehouseShakers-OlivePearl_ChristopherDuggan_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8beK-Kj_hnnyirm41A0fxxtJhON7YExEPJNMbpUSVXFrivWiHVLJoxKVOiWIpayf-k81AXfNcNjxTr13iBKZvnoZFxblWYI1XBGGVa0g21iTAZ_Xkhys4i4iMC_SQTwA-ynDc7iT3B0M/s640/20170504_TreehouseShakers-OlivePearl_ChristopherDuggan_007.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda Wilson (Right) with Katie Montoya in Olive & Pearl (Photo by Christopher Duggan)</td></tr>
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<b><br />What makes Treehouse Shakers work unique or different
than other companies you might have worked with?</b>
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Thoughtfulness. Thinking outside
the box. Dedication to quality art. The work that Treehouse Shakers does is
quality work that does not talk down to the young audiences for which it is
performing. To that end, the young audiences have a more fulfilling
experience when watching the performances. Treehouse has a show for every age range
from 0-18 and are constantly adding more to insure that there is a piece out
there for whatever young persons need it. They are thoughtful creators. They
are also extremely thoughtful to their performers. We feel like a family, we
feel taken care of, and we feel respected. We as performers never feel taken
advantage of because, even if it is just a small gesture, Emily and Mara do
their best to make that gesture. This is a company that truly feels like an
ensemble. I am about to embark on my 4<sup>th</sup> collaboration with them as
a company member and I am thrilled because each time it is such a special
opportunity and challenge to have as a performer.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda in Hatched (Photo by Christopher Duggan)</td></tr>
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<b>What does it mean to celebrate 20 years with Treehouse
Shakers?</b><br />
<br />
What an incredible opportunity to be a part of such a special company! As someone who has also recently started their own theater company, I look at Emily and Mara and the Treehouse Shakers with absolute awe and respect for surviving this crazy non-profit arts world for 20 years! The drive and tenacity that these two women have is an absolute inspiration to me. The 20th Anniversary gala this year was so special and if you have not watched the video that was put together for that, you MUST check it out because you can really see the incredible journey this company has had up to this point. It is not an overstatement to say that I am a PROUD member of this company. Mara and Emily always joke about how we’re not allowed to leave the company. And while, you know, at some point, when I’m 60 years old, it may be REALLY difficult for me to dance on that ladder as Queen of the Lost in <b>Under the Tangle</b>, but otherwise, it is so special to know that they have created such a home for us and we have an artistic outlet for life. And hey, at 60, I REALLY will come into my own as Granny Pearl.<br />
<br />
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<b>Anything Else You would like us to know?</b>
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When I came in for my very first
audition with Treehouse Shakers, which was September 15, 2010 (I just looked it
up in my email), I had the chance to sit in a circle with all of the
company members who were there that day for rehearsal and chat. As we were going around,
everyone was either from Missouri, or had gone to school there, and at that
moment, I thought to myself “I think I’ve found a new home in NYC.” I have
never lost that feeling. Thank you, Mara. Thank you, Emily. Thank you for
creating an artistic bubble for us actors and dancers to have a home in NYC
where we get to create and do quality work and make a difference in the lives of
our young audiences. Everyone from the incredible Treehouse Board to the lovely
interns that intermittently come and work with you are here to support you and
are lucky to be a part of this company. Happy 20<sup>th</sup> Anniversary!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>About Miranda Wilson</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6dIHbQjBRHJSjzpGwSyVmKnFKUdHHVYMxfxPWrBixHqsnXEyCPCWmm2kPVv_Ap9BwzVnzgI8NhHcwuvIYMrQG8jDDtX75fVuo4DLWw9MHHzJKFBSg6oIlMGCdlUYGvstcJCfQ-TwD-0/s1600/Miranda_Noelle_Wilson_Headshot_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1021" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6dIHbQjBRHJSjzpGwSyVmKnFKUdHHVYMxfxPWrBixHqsnXEyCPCWmm2kPVv_Ap9BwzVnzgI8NhHcwuvIYMrQG8jDDtX75fVuo4DLWw9MHHzJKFBSg6oIlMGCdlUYGvstcJCfQ-TwD-0/s320/Miranda_Noelle_Wilson_Headshot_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Miranda Wilson</b> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>has been a proud
company member of Treehouse Shakers since 2010 and can be seen in all of
the current Treehouse repertoire. A native of Kansas City, MO, Miranda
graduated with her BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of
Evansville. As an actor, singer, dancer, and puppeteer in New York City, she
performs in a wide variety of performances across the city. Most recently,
Miranda appeared in the critically-acclaimed cabaret, The Rise and Fall
and Rise (again) of Martha Stewart, which performed to sold out audiences at
Joe’s Pub as well as in Los Angeles. Other favorite roles include:
Liz in the world premiere of Every Good Girl Deserves Fun (and other
misremembered things) with Clutch Productions, Inc. <span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.clutchproductionsnyc\.com\/\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><a href="http://www.clutchproductionsnyc.com/">www.clutchproductionsnyc.com</a></span>;
Lucy in Three-Day Hangover's Dracula; Anderson Cooper and Kim Richards in
the critically-acclaimed cabaret, Watch What Happens Live On Stage (NYC
and LA); and as Anna Wintour's Assistant in the popular cabaret Ryan Raftery
is the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion (NYC, LA, Philadelphia). Miranda has
also starred in a new short film, How You Are to Me, which will begin
hitting the festival circuit this spring, and as the lead in the
psychological thriller, The Eve, which one her a Best Actress award
for her work. <a href="http://www.mirandanoellewilson.com/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.mirandanoellewilson\.com\/\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";">www.mirandanoellewilson.com</span> </a></div>
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</style>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-35433164055193644862018-01-23T07:59:00.003-08:002018-01-23T08:01:55.926-08:00Meet Our Company Members: Trey Coates-Mitchell<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOMyJhZdKXsieMA9cGvEnjnqSuPUxN2LWXzabDAhDTeZpzDqGkvpytAnntucNlBshLghGO4HWaTD6OCA-yWnrMWfD5vFZ1jiEoVm3q-G0I-GspIvzfPW8wMN_vnrJLnQLoXMoyIPYTdo/s1600/Trey+%2526+AshleyTreehouseShakers-UnderTheTangle_ChristopherDuggan_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOMyJhZdKXsieMA9cGvEnjnqSuPUxN2LWXzabDAhDTeZpzDqGkvpytAnntucNlBshLghGO4HWaTD6OCA-yWnrMWfD5vFZ1jiEoVm3q-G0I-GspIvzfPW8wMN_vnrJLnQLoXMoyIPYTdo/s640/Trey+%2526+AshleyTreehouseShakers-UnderTheTangle_ChristopherDuggan_014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trey Mitchell with Ashley Chavonne in <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/under-the-tangle/" target="_blank">Under the Tangle</a></td></tr>
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<b><br />Tell us about yourself and how did you become a part of Treehouse Shakers? How long have you been with the company? What is your role(s) with the company? </b><br />
<br />
I am a performer, choreographer, director, teacher, and clown living in New York City. I have been with the company for six years. I was working on a new play in New York when the playwright told me about Mara and all of the incredible work being done by Treehouse Shakers in both introducing theater to young audiences and also using theater as a vital educational tool. I was initially hired to be Farmer/Rooster in <b>Hatched</b> (for ages 0-6) and Wolf in <b>Let’s Talk About IT! </b>(for 13+) and then went on to be a part of the creation of <b>Under The Tangle</b> as Bird Boy. <br />
<br />
<b>What has been your favorite role to play?</b><br />
<br />
Honestly, this was tough. Rooster has quite an inner monologue going on…but I am going to have to say Bird Boy, in <b>Under The Tangle</b>. My base training is in acting, so the dance requirements of this show have definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone. However, the best part is the synergy the five of us have together when we are telling this story. Building this production with Emily Bunning, the choreographer, and this ensemble has been so incredibly challenging and rewarding, and I feel unbelievably proud of the world we have built together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treehouse Shakers' Cast Post-Show <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/lets-talk-about-it/" target="_blank">Let's Talk About IT!</a> (Show for 13+)</td></tr>
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<b>Tell us about a favorite audience moment you’ve had as a performer.</b><br />
<br />
When Bird Boy stumbles upon Little Lost Girl near his tree, there is a great scene between the two of them that eventually lures both of these characters closer and closer to the labyrinth. The power of the labyrinth eventually pulls them inside the adventure that lies ahead. In deciding who will be the leader of this mission, Bird Boy holds council, not realizing Lost Girl has already entered the maze. He nominates himself the leader, and asks for all those in favor to say “Aye.” The theater space was exciting and cavernous, with hundreds of students in attendance that day. And in that one moment, they all responded to Bird Boy with enthusiastic “Ayes” echoing and filling the space. They were instantly on the team, a part of the journey, and they figuratively entered the labyrinth with us. It is in those moments that we can all feel the true power of theater and its ability to transport our minds and <br />
hearts.<br />
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<b>What makes Treehouse Shakers work unique or different than other companies you might have worked with?</b><br />
<br />
Treehouse Shakers lives in the heart of creative town, right at the corner of young audience at the intersection of theater, dance, and imagination. The stories are built from the ground up, with a little seed of an idea becoming a fully realized artistic experience for audiences of all ages.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What does it mean to celebrate 20 years with Treehouse Shakers?</b><br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trey with audience members during <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/hatched/" target="_blank">Hatched</a></td></tr>
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I cannot help but feel incredibly honored to be a small part of Treehouse Shakers’ impressive twenty years of work. Twenty years signifies perseverance and purpose, and it is clear to me the impact the company is making in the world. This work is in important, and to see the clear voice and mission built over this time is truly an inspiration.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Anything Else You would like us to know?</b><br />
<br />
Treehouse really has changed my life. I plan to spend all my years on this Earth creating theater that matters, and I learned this passion from working with this company of inspirational artists. I will be forever grateful.<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wl5EtQl2Nhbs95TKZTFOkLQOWDJgLptECHM1_9o8jsmUCPlpS0NTlwABT7l38cx_DHuCeYI5T53PSm5Ewt4xi-WIZwCynVLtKzlI_y80N9aFjAoftgMqpQm9H5CBARGucEqv4gbILs0/s1600/TREY_RTC_071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wl5EtQl2Nhbs95TKZTFOkLQOWDJgLptECHM1_9o8jsmUCPlpS0NTlwABT7l38cx_DHuCeYI5T53PSm5Ewt4xi-WIZwCynVLtKzlI_y80N9aFjAoftgMqpQm9H5CBARGucEqv4gbILs0/s200/TREY_RTC_071.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Trey Coates-Mitchell </b>is a New York City based Choreographer, Director, and Teacher, he has been a company member with Treehouse Shakers for 6 years. A Virginia native, he graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts before receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah University. Trey's acting career began on the road portraying Frank Lippencott in the National Tour of "Wonderful Town" and as The Cat in The Hat in "Seussical." Regionally, he was seen as L.A. in "Gypsy" at North Shore Music Theatre (starring Vicki Lewis) and as Posner in the regional premiere of "The History Boys" at Northern Stage Company. New York credits include "The Drowsy Chaperone" at The Gallery Players (Winner of four New York Innovative Theatre Awards, including Best Musical) and as Trevor in "The Jungle Fun Room" (New York International Fringe Festival). Currently, Trey is the Director/Choreographer of “Sam’s Room”, a forensics rock/pop musical experience, with Music by Mark C. Kay and Caitlin Marie Bell, with a book by Dale Sampson.<br />
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Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-24090717359733834002017-12-28T14:19:00.002-08:002017-12-29T08:06:22.977-08:00My New Year's Commitment: Doing the Most GoodThis has been a truly fulfilling year for Treehouse Shakers. We accomplished 20 years as a performing arts company in New York City. We were selected as the recipients artists of New York State Presenters Network, helping us reach audiences in rural parts of the state who normally wouldn't have the opportunity to see live performances. We grew our arts in education residencies, hired more teaching artists, and developed new partnerships in the schools. We premiered a new piece for the very young, <b>Olive & Pearl</b>, a story that has been living with me for nearly ten years, which finally came to fruition. We also announced our inclusion of *Relaxed Performances for the 2018 season, and had the opportunity to train with Include Arts, the leader in the Relaxed Performance model from England.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF89c8i2WNvKYE4pRkI_dYzZv83oqo8JMHzXNHXVcXuJDUsvTuPelPZ-nr_oudKayD6J4P2bunW7CsZICEbO63uVDjBPpuCzakXmbyTe_T0Z7kD8T-wA7PbrT3i9bwsut-bgrnnOj6Lik/s1600/TreehouseShakers-OlivePearl_ChristopherDuggan_017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF89c8i2WNvKYE4pRkI_dYzZv83oqo8JMHzXNHXVcXuJDUsvTuPelPZ-nr_oudKayD6J4P2bunW7CsZICEbO63uVDjBPpuCzakXmbyTe_T0Z7kD8T-wA7PbrT3i9bwsut-bgrnnOj6Lik/s640/TreehouseShakers-OlivePearl_ChristopherDuggan_017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive & Pearl Premiere (For ages 2-5)</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">It will never be easy to run a non-profit company, let alone an arts non-profit company. There have been days when I am stuck in New York City traffic, with a van full of puppets, and a family I desperately want to see after being on the road, when I think, "Is this still worth it?" Or while families are spending their July on the beach, and I am stuck at a computer writing grants, I ask again, "Is this worth it?" Or when I have to ask, yet again, for donations, I think, "Is this crazy life fulfilling?" Or the many times I have gone without my own income, to make sure a program is paid for, "Is this worth it?" </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audience at Treehouse Shakers' Hatched (For ages 0-6)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student following a Storytelling Performance at F.I.T writing a story of their own</td></tr>
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And my continual response to my own doubts, is a resounding "Yes! This is worth it." There is unmeasurable joy in watching young people experience a performance for the first time. A performance that was created specifically for them over years of trial and exploration. When parents write to us to tell us that their children haven't stopped playing Treehouse Shakers at home, or a grandparent leaves us a voicemail to tell us this was one of the most memorable experiences they have shared with their grandchild, I know our work is meaningful. This work is worth it when I am working in a school of primarily ESL students, and their teachers tell me that their English has improved since I began visiting. Or seeing a theater filled with children who have never left their NYC neighborhood take a school bus for the first time to see Treehouse Shakers. Seeing delight, wonder, creativity, joy experienced by young people, IS the good in the world. And I am so grateful that I experience this daily.<br />
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So with the New Year fast approaching, I am still committed both as an artist, and as the founding Artistic Director of Treehouse Shakers, to do the most good I can through the invaluable gifts the arts bring to young people. I promise to myself to make this a year of less doubt and much more of, "Yes! Let's make this happen."<br />
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<i>*Relaxed Performances will be part of <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/" target="_blank">Treehouse Shakers' </a>commitment to making our work accessible to all. Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who will benefit from a less restrictive audience environment, including (but not limited to) those with sensory processing conditions, Autism, and learning or intellectual disabilities. Everyone is invited to these performances.<br /><br />To make a year-end tax-deductible contribution to Treehouse Shakers and support our programs you can make a secure online donation <a href="https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/108133408063901813/charity/72859" target="_blank">HERE </a>or by mailing us a contribution to:</i><br />
<i>Treehouse Shakers<br />Radio City Station<br />P.O. Box 186</i><br />
<i>New York, NY 10101-0186</i>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-44644855788165738072017-12-08T14:10:00.005-08:002017-12-08T15:22:28.451-08:00Meet Our Company Members: Ashley Chavonne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashley Chavonne (Center) Under the Tangle, photo by Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>As many of you know, Treehouse Shakers is currently celebrating our 20th Anniversary Season. 20 Years as a New York City arts company truly takes a village to survive. Over the </b><b>next several months, I will be highlighting some of our current company members who make Treehouse Shakers the unique, beautiful and sustainable company that it is. This month, featuring <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/about/bios/" target="_blank">Ashley Chavonne</a> who has been a member of Treehouse Shakers since 2010. Ashley is featured in Under the Tangle as well as Coyote's Dance, Let's Talk About IT!, Animal Rhythms and Desert Travels. She will also be in our newest piece, The Boy Who Grew Flowers, which is set to open in 2019. </b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Under the Tangle</b>, Photo Credit Christopher Duggan (Featured Ashley Chavonne & Trey Coates-Mitchell</td></tr>
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<b><br />Tell us about yourself and how did you become a part of Treehouse Shakers? How long have you been with the company? What is your role(s) with the company?</b><br />
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I am a dancer turned actress with the company and have been a member for 7 years (I think…wow). I was introduced to the Treehouse Shakers by a former company member after a conversation we had at work. We both worked at a restaurant in the Meatpacking district. I was curious about a teaching residency she had and found out that it was through Treehouse Shakers, which led to a conversation about how they were looking for dancers. I attended an open rehearsal soon after and the rest is history.<br />
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<b>What has been your favorite role to play?</b><br />
Little Girl Lost, my character in <b><a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/under-the-tangle/" target="_blank">Under The Tangle</a></b>. It’s a challenging role because she evolves so much throughout the show. So much so, that I feel like three different girls in the show. There’s girl 1, who lives outside the labyrinth and is thrown into this strange place. Girl 2, who is trying to navigate this strange place with these other quite strange characters. And Girl 3, who has accepted her new surroundings and has learned to push through her fears to…well, you will just have to see the show.<br />
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My favorite on stage moment was during a performance of <b>Under The Tangle</b>. There is a moment where the little girl falls asleep in the middle of the labyrinth and her friend leaves her to rest. A very concerned audience member, sitting front and center, gasps as the Queen of the Lost approaches the little girl and loudly whispers, “Wake up…wake up!”</div>
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My favorite off stage moment happened after a performance in Cincinnati. As a woman and her daughter were leaving the theater, the little girl ran up to me to say, “You were my favorite on stage!” She pointed to her hand, holding it next to mine and said, “You’re my same skin tone.” It was a really special moment for the three of us. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the Tangle, photo credit Christopher Duggan</td></tr>
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<b><br />What makes Treehouse Shakers work unique or different than other companies you have worked with?</b><br />
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The creative approach to the marriage of dance and theater. Also the expectations they have for the creative and intellectual capacity of young audiences are appropriate and admirable. The stories are brilliantly crafted without the messages being watered down or the lessons feeling contrived.</div>
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<b>What does it mean to celebrate 20 years with Treehouse Shakers?</b><br />
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It means that for 20 years, there has been an understanding of the impact that early exposure to arts and culture can have on young minds and a generous outpour of support for it. To be a part and product of that mission is truly exciting!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-Show <a href="http://treehouseshakers.com/productions/coyotes-dance/" target="_blank">Coyote's Dance</a> at Ailey Citigroup Theater</td></tr>
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<b>Anything Else You would like us to know?</b></div>
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I love Mara and Emily. They are two of the most creative, inspiring and encouraging women I know. Relentless in pursuit of creating quality art for young audiences and creating space for the company to be our best selves.</div>
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<b>More About Ashley </b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5r2K6OczLw7YQsmH2FrnctKGNEdXKP5No9IaaGzvn5VLG5O3LvzZwid0DRZX-XRetYySjTgJqjcIN9sed0gGgJbKs9FeTTMr0ddNWEzJcHU7z-7xj6wQ7fXVKos8JOJwC5BvA14DxkE/s1600/Ashley+new+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1012" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5r2K6OczLw7YQsmH2FrnctKGNEdXKP5No9IaaGzvn5VLG5O3LvzZwid0DRZX-XRetYySjTgJqjcIN9sed0gGgJbKs9FeTTMr0ddNWEzJcHU7z-7xj6wQ7fXVKos8JOJwC5BvA14DxkE/s320/Ashley+new+headshot.jpg" width="202" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Ashley Chavonne</b> was born and raised in Detroit, MI. She received her B.A. in Strategic Communication and B.F.A in dance from Ohio State University where she studied with such notable choreographers as Rennie Harris, Luam, and Sheryl Murakami. In addition to being a principal company member of Treehouse Shakers, she is also a dancer for SoulRebel Dance Company founded and directed by a former member of Rennie Harris Pure Movement. As a dancer with diverse training, hip-hop influences her movement choices across all genres. She also performs with numerous other New York City choreographers and teaches around the city.</div>
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</style>Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7779251203874912675.post-47511664577372004292017-10-07T13:06:00.003-07:002017-10-07T17:48:39.333-07:00It's Our Birthday! Treehouse Shakers Is Turning 20 Years Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's our birthday! Treehouse Shakers is having our 20th Birthday Party on November 4, 2017, and everyone is invited to celebrate. </div>
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20 years ago, Treehouse Shakers was founded in New York City by myself and Emily Bunning. We grew up together in Wyoming, and as children often found ourselves inventing imaginative games, stories and dances, while spending most of our time outside amongst the arrowheads and desert rocks. When we were six, we began taking art classes with Emily’s great-aunt Susie.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan Young, our formidable art teacher</td></tr>
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These art classes gave us a strong foundation in visual arts; we spent time painting, creating sculptures, and working on a potter’s wheel. For lunches, Susie would make lunch and we would spend the time deep in discussion about art, Wyoming and Susie’s childhood on their family homestead. As we grew older we spent our summers at performing arts camp, and eventually went onto college at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri to pursue our artistic passions. It was there, that we collaborated for the first time for a project I was creating for a Directing I class. I wanted to deconstruct poetry written by women, and incorporate movement within the poetry instead of blocking as the actors spoke.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babies & Toddlers at our piece for ages 0-6, <b>Hatched</b></td></tr>
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Shortly after moving to New York City in 1997 we created our first piece together, <b>Dance of My Daughter. </b><b>Dance of My Daughter</b>, written by Mara McEwin and Choreographed by Emily Bunning, which enjoyed a very successful two-week run at the Ensemble Theater, NYC. Since that first piece, we have made fourteen original shows, worked in countless schools, with arts in education residencies and workshops, and currently have 6 shows on a rotating tour.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive & Pearl, Our Newest Work for ages 2-5</td></tr>
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We are thrilled to have experienced this adventurous 20 year journey as a company, and look forward to continuing to grow as a company, have an impact on the field of Theater for Young Audiences, and inspire young people through the arts. Please join us to celebrate this exciting company milestone.<br />
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<b>When: </b>Saturday, November 4, 2017<br />
11AM-1PM<br />
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<b>Where:</b> BAM/Fisher<br />
321 Ashland Place<br />
Brooklyn, NY 11215<br />
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<b>Tickets & Info: </b><a href="http://ths20years.bpt.me/">http://ths20years.bpt.me/</a><br />
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<i>This event is presented by Treehouse Shakers. BAM house and ticketing policies, including BAM membership benefits, may not apply. </i><br />
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<br />Mara McEwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08619328048787624198noreply@blogger.com2