Before The Anthropologists officially formed as a company, Artistic Director Melissa Moschitto and then-active members began meeting bi-weekly or monthly to train together in physical theatre techniques. The goal was to build an ensemble through a foundation of training. Eventually, Jam Sessions went on hiatus, in part due to the rising cost of rehearsal rentals. Thanks to our year-long residency at Abrons Arts Center, we've been able to reinstate them and host them for free.
Hear from Resident Artist Brian Demar Jones about his work co-leading jam sessions:
Leading and sharing my interpretation of the work of Suzuki and Shogo Ohta (who originated Slow Tempo work) is a priceless experience. Along with the Viewpoints work, these are the fundamentals of my process as an actor and director.
Every time I have the opportunity to participate in or lead this kind of work, I undoubtedly learn something new and profound. I find that the creatives who attend are fearless and eager to throw themselves into the various tasks at hand. It truly like a laboratory for the artist.
That is how I approach the lesson plan for today. I ask myself, "what do I want to examine today?" That can be a simple as examining breath to drawing out the intricacies of intimacy through the lens of Slow Tempo.
Jam sessions are a great space to exercise, indulge, and ignite the creative mind.
Brian (upstage left in blue) and Jam Session participants in March 2018.
Learn more about Brian and the other Resident Artists of the company here.