The House and Bradley University Partner on a New Adaptation of PINOCCHIO
Greetings from Peoria!
Dennis Watkins and I (Carolyn Defrin) are currently in rehearsals for PINOCCHIO down at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Similar to the new works development projects that have happened in partnership with Hope College (Rose and The Rime) and Northwestern University (Girls v. Boys), Dennis and I have had the great opportunity to develop, workshop and now fully realize a production of PINOCCHIO with Bradley students and faculty.
How it came to be
This partnership grew out of a relationship with Bradley faculty member and Chicago actor Steve Snyder. Steve has brought Bradley students to House shows for years. A couple of years ago he invited us to lead a workshop with his students before they came to see The Sparrow. Since then Steve and I have been in talks about how The House might develop a new play with the students and faculty at Bradley. Last October we began this year-long project to bring this idea into fruition. Dennis Watkins was working on an adaptation of PINOCCHIO and I was seeking avenues for how I could grow my artistic career to include directing. All the pieces fell into place with this project, as it would provide both Dennis and I an opportunity to develop our artistic voices in a safe environment with time and resources not always available under The House’s regular production calendar.
PHASE 1
Last October, Dennis and I, along with Artistic Director Nate Allen, went to Bradley to lead a two-day workshop. This was Phase 1 of the project: a time for us to meet the students/faculty, develop ensemble/collaboration skills and introduce Dennis’ work so far on PINOCCHIO.
PHASE 2
In March, 2009, Dennis and I returned to work with Bradley students and faculty for a week-long retreat in Oregon, IL. This was structured time for us to continue to grow as collaborators, specifically focusing our work on the development of our new telling of PINOCCHIO. We flooded our imaginations with visual research, read the latest draft of the script, talked through the story, put parts of the play up on its feet, and brainstormed impossible staging moments– all to inspire a deconstruction and reconstruction of the story we all know and love.
PHASE 3
Currently Dennis and I are in residence at Bradley through November 15th rehearsing the production with a 16-member student cast that includes faculty member and House liaison Steve Snyder in the role of Gepeto. Faculty and students are designing the show with company member Kevin O’Donnell writing an original score, and Tommy Rapley offering up some hot swing dance choreography for our marionette show.
The show opens November 5th and runs through November 15th with performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. There will be a special additional performance offered on Monday, November 9th at 7pm. We hope you’ll join us in Peoria and share in the exciting developmental process that is new work! Find out more about the show and how to get tickets, HERE!
…and stay tuned for more posts coming soon on our version of Pinocchio and our artistic process on the project so far.
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