Solo Chicken Productions take ‘the coop’ to the stage for first technical residency.
Last summer Fredericton’s Solo Chicken Productions introduced ‘the coop’ as a new platform for contemporary artists to research, develop and perform original works of physical theatre. Under the guidance and vision of co-artistic directors Lisa Anne Ross and Lesandra Dodson, the coop cast five professional emerging artists to join together in the year-long development project, A Record of Us, which draws inspiration from text by celebrated New Brunswick author David Adams Richards.
The project began with a two-week residency at in May of 2015 at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. Since then, members of the coop have been working towards the development of a full-length production that will be staged at The Fredericton Playhouse in the summer of 2016.
This week members of the coop will spend the first of four weeks of technical residency on stage at The Fredericton Playhouse, working together with light designer Jeff Fevens to explore the environment, the stage and the possibilities the venue will provide for the final production of their twelve month engagement.
“This week will be working on stage with our lighting designer so that we can begin to shape the piece using the context of the actual performance space as a variable,” said Ross. “In the case of The Playhouse it is very rare to get to rehearse and perform in that space. The ability to do both offers artists creating a new work the chance to fully maximize what that space can offer.”
The Fredericton Playhouse has a long history partnering with local theatre groups, including recent partnerships with Theatre New Brunswick and Blind Faith Productions, offering the use of its facilities to further the development of local artists and their work.
“It is a great opportunity for the coop members,” said Ross, “as they get the chance to work intimately in a large venue and it is great for Lesandra and I because we get to work in a very detailed way with our lighting designer and to build the show using the space and lights as a six and seventh character in the show.”
The technical residency will conclude with a public performance on Friday January 8, 2016, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to see an important new work in development.
The members of the coop are Jean-Michel Cliche, Alex Donovan, Ian Goff, Alexa Higgins, and Lexi MacRae.
A Record of Us – a work-in-progress showing | Fredericton Playhouse | January 8, 2016 | 5:30 p.m. | No charge | More info
