Workshop: Site-Specific Creation Lab – Postponed!

This workshop has been postponed due to wildfires and bad air quality on October 27. Stay safe! We’ll reschedule this workshop for early 2020.

Come play with us — outside the box!

Peter Brook famously conceived of the theater as an “empty space,” but in site-specific performance, the space is anything but empty. In this workshop, we’ll explore the rewards and peculiarities of creating performances for non-traditional spaces, both public and private, indoors and out. We’ll offer prompts, provocations and structures for creating new work, and you’ll move, write, reflect, question, and share. Together we’ll build strategies for integrating the rich layers of a space to inform, inspire, and infuse our work.

This all-levels workshop is for performers, dancers, writers, and theater-makers aged 15+ with an interest in creatively exploring the world around us. Whether you’re a veteran of site-specific work or have never heard of such a thing, our explorations will challenge you to try something new.

THE BASICS:

What: Site-Specific Creation Lab
When: Saturday or Sunday TBD 2020, 12pm – 3pm
Where: Port Costa, California

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More details:

Cost is $40, which pays the workshop leader and supports both Idiot String and the Port Costa Conservation Society. Residents of Port Costa, Crockett, or Tormey pay just $10 thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Crockett Community Foundation.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY: Payment is due 7 calendar days before your workshop. You may sign up within the 7-day window, as long as you make payment when you register. You may cancel your registration up to 48 hours before the workshop for a full refund; cancellations made within 48 hours cannot be refunded.

This workshop is part of Idiot String’s residency in Port Costa sponsored by the Port Costa Conservation Society.

After the workshop, explore the wonderful and tiny town of Port Costa, where you can hike the hills, relax with a book, or discover whimsical artwork and fabulous antiques — making the whole day an invigorating experience.

We are excited to play with you!

WHAT TO BRING:
  • Water bottle
  • Notebook or journal and pen(cil)
  • Snacks if you need them
  • Closed-toe shoes and clothes you can move in
  • Rain or sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc) and anything else you’ll need to be comfortable outdoors — we won’t stay outside if rain is heavy, but may be outdoors in a light drizzle.

Rebecca Longworth (workshop leader) is co-founder and artistic director of Idiot String. As a theatre-maker, Rebecca is dedicated to creating original ensemble performances and rich audience experiences. She co-creates and directs each of the Samuel Peaches Peripatetic Players’s productions, and devises original performance with the Hatch Collective. Other directing credits include New Conservatory Theatre Center, Ragged Wing Ensemble, SF Theatre Pub, Boxcar Theatre, Theatre Q, Dragon Productions, El Gato Family Theatre and Jump! Theatre, where she served as artistic director for four years. Rebecca has performed with Ragged Wing Ensemble, We Players, and FoolsFURY, and has also designed motion graphics and projections for Jump! Theatre, Crowded Fire, Custom Made Theatre, and Shotgun Players. Rebecca teaches acting and theater-making to students of all ages throughout the Bay Area, including workshops and residencies with Berkeley Rep, TheatreWorks, and San Francisco Opera Guild. She holds an MA in Text & Performance Studies from King’s College/R.A.D.A. and is a member of the 2009 Lincoln Center Directors Lab.

Workshop: Expressive Movement & Drawing

Sept 29 2019 – Expand your capacity to express

Express yourself with movement and make your mark!  You’ll create unique expressive gestures in this visual arts and movement workshop led by guest artist Marybeth Tereszkiewicz.

THE BASICS:

portcostamap

What: Expressive Movement & Drawing Workshop
When: Sunday, September 29 2019, 12pm – 3pm
Where: Port Costa, California

MORE DETAILS:

Rhythm, movement, gesture, intention, emphasis, space, character, originality, authenticity…
…these words describe elements in both visual and performing arts, and through this workshop, you’ll experience the ways in which developing one art form expands your ability to express in all others.

The focus of this workshop is on finding authentic movement and creating expressive gestures that are unique to you. We’ll begin with some fundamental dance/movement techniques to develop strength and centering, plus finding authentic expressive gestures and interacting with various rhythms and quality of movement. Then we will move into mark-making on large paper with oil pastels and charcoal. As we create, we will focus on process over product, as we aim to free up and expand the way you express yourself both in movement and visual arts.

You’ll come away with new tools for expressive art-making, and new connections to the vibrant community of Bay Area artists, and you’ll have a lot of fun.

After the workshop, explore the wonderful town of Port Costa, where you can hike the hills, relax with a book, or discover whimsical artwork and fabulous antiques — making the whole day a creatively rejuvenating experience. 

No prior visual art or dance experience is necessary — this workshop is open to visual and performing artists of ALL levels, aged 16 and up.

What to bring:

  • Water bottle
  • Snacks
  • Dress to move (loose or stretchy clothing, closed-toe shoes)

What’s PROVIDED:

  • All art materials
  • A creative and welcoming environment rooted in connection, support, and delight

Registration

Your investment is $50, which includes materials and supplies, pays workshop leaders, and supports the Port Costa Conservation Society. Residents of Port Costa, Crockett, and Tormey pay just $10 thanks to the sponsorship of the Crockett Community Foundation. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.


MARYBETH TERESZKIEWICZ is a modern renaissance woman; visual artist, dancer, actor, director, choreographer, filmmaker, and teacher of both Visual and Performing Arts. In whichever avenue of expression she is working, Marybeth focuses on the same four aspects: dynamic energy/movement, interesting characters, compelling stories, and vibrant composition. She performed as a professional dancer for over 20 years and Dance remains the core of her creations. The visceral experience of expressing emotions through the body is the fuel behind all her other work. Marybeth has a Masters of Education in the Arts and is passionate about the potential of art education to improve the lives of students, schools and communities. She served for 25 years in San Francisco as the Chairperson of ICA High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Department, and has also been the School/Community Liaison for the San Francisco International Arts Festival, and Program Creator / Director for the Tree of Life Arts Empowerment Camp in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. Marybeth is currently Director of the School of Art Education at the Academy of Art University.

A gestural dance by Marybeth Tereszkiewicz

Port Costa Residency

Idiot String’s artistic residency in Port Costa, sponsored by the Port Costa Conservation Society, is now underway! Our residency aims to grow Idiot String’s creative and outreach activities, and to continue to activate the Port Costa School with creative programming for the local community and artists from around the Bay Area.

Featured projects of the residency include:

Public Workshop Series

Idiot String offers a series of creative workshops open to the public at the Port Costa School. Each workshop focuses on a different set of performance skills or artistic techniques related to our work. They’re a great way for folks of all experience levels to try something new, or to dive deeper into an established practice. Click here for upcoming offerings.


EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Sponsored by funding from the Crockett Community Foundation, Idiot String offers in-school performing arts education workshops and master classes to the John Swett Unified School District. Workshops, master classes, and teaching residencies are available to other school districts and community groups as well; please visit our Creative Education page for more information.


Port STories (2019)

Idiot String’s site-specific, interactive production was created throughout late 2018 and early 2019 at the Port Costa School, and performed at the School and throughout downtown Port Costa in June. Port Stories was commissioned by the East Bay Fund for Artists at the East Bay Community Foundation, with additional support from the Edward J. Daly Foundation and Crockett Community Foundation.


Artists’ Mini-Retreats and Salons

Are you an artist who could use some time set aside for your own artistic practice? Would you value the opportunity to build a community of creative folk around cocktails and conversation? Contact us for an invitation to our Artists’ Mini-Retreats and Salons. Held approximately every other month on a Wednesday, each Mini-Retreat concludes with a visit to the Dram Shop at the Bull Valley Roadhouse with that day’s cohort of artists.


Community Outreach

We’re delighted to be able to offer residents of Port Costa, Crockett, and Tormey reduced-price tickets to Port Stories and public half-day workshops. Show tickets for residents are just $5, and day workshops are $10 for residents, also thanks to funding from the Crockett Community Foundation!

Read more about the Crockett Community Foundation’s support here.

2019 Workshop Series

Next Workshop:

Somatic Clown Weekend retreat
nov 16-17, 2019


Announcing workshops in Port Costa!

In connection with our residency at the Port Costa Schoolhouse, sponsored by the Port Costa Conservation Society, Idiot String is proud to announce our 2019 Workshop Series in Port Costa. This workshop series is supported in part by generous funding from the Crockett Community Foundation.

2020 workshops:

Story Adaptation : Date to be announced

Physical Comedy: Date to be announced

Be sure to join our mailing list so you’re the first to know about upcoming events.


Every workshop is an all-levels creative workout, geared to accommodate folks with little to no performing experience and to challenge veteran artists. Individualized attention at each workshop ensures that you can come as you are. We aim to be sure you leave inspired!

Most workshops are suitable for ages 14 to adult. Participants under 18 must have their parents’ permission. Port Costa, Crockett, and Tormey residents can attend 3- and 4-hour workshops for just $10!