2010 Year in Review - Penasco Theatre
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2010 Year in Review
By Rebakah Tarin, Penasco Theatre Managing Director and Key Artist, December 2010.
2010 is the 10th year of Wise Fool NM offering inspiring high quality low-cost circus and visual art programs for youth and adults in the Peñasco area. The theatre got a bit of nip and tuck this summer with the addition of a solar gain window improving the light and daytime temperature of the space. Several successful dinner cabaret benefits in conjunction the Sugar Nymphs Bistro entertained as well as nourished and allowed us to do fire code upgrades. Afterschool participants and their families threw down on some much needed work parties. Resident artists Alessandra Ogren and Rebekah TarÍn produced “Sail” a circus and puppetry take on the fairy tale the “Crane Maiden” for WF”s “Puppet Tales” series. The Hoop-a-loopers afterschool aerial classes choreographed and performed “A Dozen Yellow Roses” a show written and choreographed by class participants with the support of Instructor/Artistic Director Alessandra Ogren. Resident Artist/educators taught several in-school circus and puppetry classes in area schools including San Juan, Fairview, Alcalde, Dixon and Chimayo elementary. Plus several days a week of afterschool aerial and stilt-walking classes at the Theatre.
This year we added 20 new youth to our circus family during the 9th annual summer youth circus arts workshop. 19 returning veterans took on the newbies helping them navigate the daily ins and outs of circus world. We had our first ever workshop participant sleepover this year organized by our amazing intern Teal Larsen. Slumber party goers planned a scavenger hunt for their newbie buddies and made prizes for them out of recycled materials. Peñasco Theatre Artist/educators collaborated with participants to create a circus production of Jorge Diaz’ book “The Rebellious Alphabet”, utilizing masks, stilts, aerials and acrobatics. Many audience members said it was the best performance yet. The standing room only community show was followed by a family and friends potluck in our park adjacent to the theatre with amazing homegrown local organic food prepared by circus parents.
We hosted fabulous national and local performers, the Ricochet performing their show “Stitch”, Boris and the Salt Licks and many others. High Road Art Tour goers were treated to late afternoon cabarets during both weekends of the art tour. Even toddlers are getting into the act with weekly playgroups at the Theatre hosted by Mom/Artist extraordinaire Nicole Kowalski. Rebecca Mitchell organized a film series focusing on healthy families; films included “The Lottery” and “Two Angry Moms”. Halloween was a scream with “Beguiled” a dinner cabaret and an all night DJ dance party hosted by Santa Fe DJ Feathericci. On the 3rd Friday of each month until April 2011 house parties are being thrown by DJ Chrystalline and DJ Ryan Leon. They start early so families can come out and dance together and go late for anyone looking for a real club experience. Check out the WF website for more information about programs, classes and events.
The Artist/Educators of the Peñasco Theatre are proud to be part of such an amazing and inspiring community of young people and their caregivers. You are the answer to the question “why are we here?”. Our heartfelt gratitude to the many folks that continually support our artistry and vision, Amanda Bissell, Nicole Kowalski, Scott and Lluvia Aby, Siri Hollander and Brian Malone, The Sugar Nymphs Bistro, Johanne Riddick and Carl Struck, Thomas Soule, Juliette Garcia Gonzalez, Teal Larsen and to the many young people and families who pass through our doors and impact our lives in so many immeasurable ways.