Theater is two meetings.
One meeting takes place between long-term partners. Another takes place in the sudden encounter with strangers. Each carries its own mystery and potential for intimacy.
The Urban Research Theater is an ongoing project of work sessions and expeditions in New York City. The basic terms of the work are silence, awareness, interaction, simplicity, sweat and song. My goal is to develop a core group with a high level of craft that can research the potentials of this kind of work in urban contexts.
I am looking for both spaces and people. You are invited to get involved.
ben@urbanresearchtheater.com
WEEK-LONG INTENSIVE
In the heat of the New York City summer,
experience another way - another city - another self.
Another City One intensive week of outdoor meditation,
August 12-17, 2007
Week of the New Moon
group singing, theater craft and urban pilgrimage.
New York City
$350 for five very full days
SHOWINGS
In July 2007, it will be possible to see a work in progress:
Song Cycle
Developed and presented by Michele Farbman and Ben Spatz. Showing dates will be finalized later this month.
With additional guidance from Ryan Etzel.
Seating will be extremely limited and reservations will be required.
NEXT PHASE
Urban Research Theater Working Group The Urban Research Theater working group is a small ensemble dedicated to developing performances and performance techniques based on wordless, highly evocative songs. The group trains physically to increase the awareness, receptivity and articulation of each individual. We play and experiment with song, movement and action in a way that is creative and rigorous, enjoyable and extremely challenging.
The next phase of Urban Research Theater work will take place from September to December 2007. It will include additional "Body & Song" workshops, small theater projects, urban expeditions in search of urban sources, and continuing work on song-based performance techniques within the core group.
For more information or to get involved, please contact ben@urbanresearchtheater.com.
September - December 2007
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About the Urban Research Theater:
The Urban Research Theater will continue to evolve according to the dynamics of the creative process, the opportunities offered by the city, and the temperament and initiative of team members. Our studio work aims to discover artistic and personal depth through the craft of performance, and to develop repeatable structures that contain value for both performers and witnesses. Our urban expeditions aim to discover unknown and forgotten uses for this kind of performance work in the context of a major American city. Ultimately, we are looking for a new relation between song and city.
A strong model for our studio work is provided by the late work of Jerzy Grotowski, called Art as Vehicle. A strong model for our urban expeditions is provided by the early work of the Centre for Theater Practices Gardzienice. However, in all cases the work is directed to the present moment and situation. See also: The Urban Animal Manifesto