Progress to date:
D13's stage adaptation of Beckett's radio play has undergone
two development phases with performers and designers. In
May of 2002, we gathered for the initial movement lab. It
was during this phase that director Joanna Settle expanded
the role of a single Opener into five actors, creating a
"think tank". It was also during this period that
theories of physics began to be inspirational for movement
patterns, and composer Obadiah Eaves completed his initial
compositions.
Choreographer Alex Escalante joined the project during its
second development phase to conduct rigorous physical trials
of resident set designer Andrew Lieberman's rough concepts.
Within weeks, the physical conceit of the production was
complete: the Openers were attached by nautical rope -—
through pulleys in the ceiling — to 50-lb. sand bags.
Counterweighted, the actor's movement quality ranged from
suspended to percussive.
In Cascando's upcoming developpment phase, a projection
design will be explored. The company is also actively
seeking a suitable site-specific location for performance.
Conceptually viable spaces include ballrooms or office
spaces with high ceilings. It will be necessary to
install weight-bearing hardware into the architecture.
If you are interested in helping
to support or further this work, please contact Artistic
Director Joanna Settle at jsettle@division13.org.
