PERFORMANCES
BODIES 2000
NEW CREATIONS MINISTRY CENTRE

PRAYER SECTION

July found the core of ask dance theatre together again (at last!).  This photo was taken at the site of the momentous occasion, at a location in Mittagong where we were performing and teaching at the International Christian Dance Fellowship Conference (see report inside).  The tentative reintegration of Steve into the company has been a joyous and well, ... tentative process - a meeting here, low-key rehearsal there, a tour to Canberra somewhere and so on.   However, we are very thankful to God for his continued recovery (says to tell you he's feeling about 70%) and for the way we have been able to continue through the last few months - hence the smiles on our faces.

We are also smiling because we are planning our season for the end of the year.  green spice will be held at The Edge Theatre, Newtown.  We will be showing our new works, and involving some guest artists - Crea Ruach Creative Ministries, Michael Kenny (of Selah fame), Emanuel Schmidt, One Vision Dance Company and Nicola Baartse amongst others. 

Hannah:
Embryonic, exciting, encouraging, exhausting, illuminating.  The conference provided: a week of community; new and challenging friends and contacts from Australia and around the world; a platform for my new work, Smell the Train; a chance to perform in Storm and class works; time to have the core of ask back together; opportunities to teach and share ideas; time to watch, listen and learn from other's work; space to enjoy worshiping God through my body; and perspective on the place of ask in the wider community.  The scope of events, conversations, meetings, performances, forums, classes and prayer times was overwhelming, as was the sense of community amongst this hugely diverse group of people.  I was personally challenged to have an open mind and willingness to be vulnerable, and to forgive, which made the numerous reconciliation's and beginnings at the conference the most important thing to me.

Steve:
Amazing to walk into a situation like this with no preconceived expectations and find: a well developed sense of community; a general attitude of egalitarianism in regard to style and standard of expression; an inescapable desire to confess and apologise to all kinds of people.  It was so humbling to learn the personal background behind some of the artistic expression that I've not developed an appreciation of.  Really exciting to be amongst people from all over the world with a similar love for creating and performing art-from-the-heart.  I had the chance to perform some of my art-from-the-heart on the Thursday night of the conference at the late night venue (Bleeding Edge Theatre).  Singing seven songs supported by several associates satisfied Steve and seemed significant to certain spectators, solidifying Steve's sense of porpoise (similar to a seal).

Phillippa:
What an amazing experience! Over 400 people from around the world all with a passion for Jesus Christ and dance (with some musos and actors as well). It was a humbling, refreshing and encouraging time as men and women, of all ages and various nationalities participated in and lead a multitude of experiences and workshops. A very special first time inclusion was input at numerous times during the week from our Australian Indigenous people.

Personally, it was a highly valuable and extremely busy week. The three workshops (two exploring collaboration with Hannah, Steve and actor, Karin Kennedy and then dance theatre) were fun and participants responded enthusiastically. Contributing to four of the six performances was a great opportunity to share and receive feedback for the various works we presented. Attending Cindy Newland’s choreographic workshop allowed Hannah and I to get an insight into this beautiful and talented woman who with her husband runs Collage Ministries in California. It was also great to rub shoulders with Candy Hadler (ex Springs Dance Company, London) and Debbie Bright (freelance dancer, New Zealand) who have had experience in the type of work ask is involved in. Co-ordinating up to thirty people on and off stage for the two class nights allowed me to meet lots of the participants and support and encourage them and their teachers. Speaking at a seminar with Grant Wildman and Trevor Wright was a privilege and we were let loose on “Art or Propaganda - is the message everything?” Corinne and Robert Urquhart organised the late night alternative theatre venue at which I performed a short collaborative work including slides by David Jenkins (resident photographer for the conference) and poetry by Cameron Semmens, who then presented his own set. Great keynote speakers and a word from Julie Neri topped it all off.

A huge congratulations to Rod West, Lucy Jurasius and the whole committee who co-ordinated this event. We were thrilled to be involved and appreciate your support and encouragement.
NEW WORKS

The inspiration for the work came on the platform at North Strathfield Station, on the way home from a Pilates session.  For days I had been praying for inspiration, and was feeling nervous that I had so little time. As I sat on the platform, an express train came past, and as I smelt the horrible, sharp, greasy brakes, I thought of adventure.  During the trip home my brain was racing and gradually over the next few days the ideas for Train were consolidated.

The concept is of the parallels between a trip home and our journey home to God.  It is made for one dancer (Phillippa) and a singer (originally Lisa Dobson).  The piece is made up of three elements.  The first is a soundtrack recording of a literal journey home on the train, complete with station announcements, and people talking and coughing.  I recorded it on our little tape recorder during a trip from Redfern Station to Dulwich Hill (home) and edited it to the correct length.  The dance, created first, was based on the different states one goes through on the way home - the flicking and tapping of frustration, languid heaviness of waiting, and rhythmic rolling of anticipation.  The final layer is a song, written by Steve and performed live with movement, about the gradual giving over of our demands to find our home in God.

Smell the Train was performed at the conference, and on our tour to Canberra (with Steve singing) and can be seen next at our season green spice.

STORM
Phillippa Oakden-Patch
Storm was performed as part of Australia Night at the International Christian Dance Fellowship Conference. It concluded the first half of the program which presented the various natural characteristics of Australia. The piece was a wonderful opportunity to bring together the directors of ask dance theatre (Phillippa), One Vision Dance Company (Linda Keen)and Crea Ruach Creative Ministries (Corinne Urquhart) plus Hannah and Cheryl Vigouroux (ex Springs Dance Company, London. These are the three main groups of tertiary trained/professional Christian dancers in Sydney currently and they will join together again for green spice.

The piece (directed by Phillippa) included five dancers, soundtrack of music overlayed with natural sounds (engineered by Steve), lengths of fabric swinging off each body and one actress (in a large teacup). Anthea Goddard, an acting student at Wesley Institute, created this role and will perform it again at green spice. Four students from Wesley Institute who have been studying release technique with Phillippa will also be choreographed into a slightly longer version of Storm for this season.

PERFORMANCES
BODIES 2000
Steve Cooper (in his inimitable style)
How can we possibly bear the weight of such political oppression…  oh, sorry… wrong article…  yes, Bodies - quite a different matter, really.   Rather nice for a theatre.  I prefer cinemas, myself… of course that's really a point of opinion.

So many bodies, so little time.  Not quite sure what I mean by that, but its there to give you the general impression that there was quite a large cat… er… cast, and a very good turn out by way of audience.   Yes, lots of people.

Good support.  Particularly in the lumbar region.  Rather expensive inner-soles providing good arch support.  Also, quite a few people who knew us came along for a look, so that was encouraging.

Isabelle’s piece.  Generally a pieceful time of year really, not surprising that Isabelle is feeling it… oh, piece!  Yes- I suppose the piece was rather peaceful.  Quite fortunate really, considering the rather energetic involvement of Isabelle’s young Stephan and Celeste at rehearsals as their mum choreographed.  Phillippa and Hannah certainly felt relief at the prospect of being fed from someone else’s creativity, though, and it seemed to be one of the more peaceful pieces in the program.  Steve had a bit of a rest, too, as Isabelle was keen to use some very effective pre-recorded music as the soundtrack - good gland-recovery-time for the poor lad.  Here And Now sat well amongst the other performances, particularly demonstrating Isabelle’s ability to draw out the full potential and integrity of her performers.  A very successful piece, all in all - clocking in at about 15 mins and using no props (that's “no props” - a fairly unfamiliar term in the ask vocabulary).  Yes.  Quite successful.

Disappointing.  Not at all disappointing, when you weigh up the whole experience.  The cleanliness of the toilets, the backstage morale, friendships developed - both new and old, a bit of a chance to show off on a stage (just as well Steve was sick - he wouldn't have liked that at all!) - just goes to show how little it takes to stave off political unrest when you really put your mind to it.

Well we were warmly welcomed and treated like honored guests by Sussie Soong and the whole team down there. It was a great pleasure to be able to explore contemporary dance, choreography and collaboration with the workshop participants on Saturday and present two works and our vision in the service on Sunday. We were greatly encouraged emotionally, spiritually and financially.

Many thanks to all of you. This church has a vision for the arts and artists. It is so inspiring and encouraging to see this openness. They have supported Hannah for many years and now continue to support ask dance theatre for which we are very grateful.

"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's message, from the day you heard it right up to the present." Philippian 1:3-5 (The Message). 

Paul's delight in the partnership he shared with the Philippian church is more than a little evident in this passage. Although he is in chains, his letter to the Philippian church is full of joy because he knows he can count on their love, practical support and prayer. Ministries on the edge, such as Paul's, need the steady, understanding and at times long-suffering support of partners who "own" the vision even though they may not experience it first hand. The members of ask, similarly, rejoice in and depend on the loving, thoughtful support of "partners" as we continue to proclaim "God's Message" of love, grace, creativity and truth.  Thank you! We break out in exclamations of thanks when we think of you - we hope we produce the same response in you! Please pray for us "with a glad heart".
 

PRAISE POINTS
Steve's gradual recovery from glandular fever; 
A wonderful and encouraging weekend in Canberra where ask performed and conducted workshops; 
The fun and mutual encouragement of the International Christian Dance Fellowship conference, in July; 
Continuing growth in love and support between the company members; 
God's faithfulness to us during the difficult past few months of Steve's illness. 

PRAYER POINTS
The forming of our new work, directed by Hannah and including Mike Kenny  (trumpet player);
Preparation for our season 'green spice' to be held November 30, December 1, 2;
Continued recovery for Steve; 
Growth in our walks with Christ and our artistic journeys etc; 
Phillippa as she works on the initial stages of her Masters project.