An Inspiration for Hotel Cassiopeia, a Unique Opportunity

April 13th, 2012

No Comments, Uncategorized, by ncooper.

In December 2011, Single Carrot hosted Double Edge Theatre for a series of workshops founded on the principle of empowering the actor to function as an autonomous creating artist by improving focus, awareness and stamina. The workshops paved the way for a new way to approach our work at Single Carrot, a way that is rooted in honesty, depth and exploration. The practices we explored with Double Edge have been adopted by Single Carrot, we introduced these methodologies to the cast of Hotel Cassiopeia and I couldn’t be more proud of the work that was created.

 

As with any methodology lessons are passed on from teacher to student and in May, 2012, Double Edge is presenting an intensive workshop with one of their teachers, Rena Mericka. For any theatre artist, this is a tremendous opportunity to develop your craft with a great artist of our time.  Rena was one of the founding members of Jerzy Grotowski‘s Laboratory Theatre, and performed in some of Growtoski’s most famous works including Akropolis. This is sure to be a unique experience. If you can’t make the session with Rena, consider joining the Double Edge ensemble for another training opportunity throughout the year.

 

If you aren’t familiar with Double Edge, be on the look out, they are an inspiring and lovely ensemble theatre residing on a farm, in Ashfield Massachusets. They create original devised work in a true laboratory setting, and work to create a permanent center of performance, training, research, and cultural exchange. They will be premiering their newest work The Grand Parade at Arena Stage in February 2013, and will preview in collaboration with the Baltimore Open Theatre in December 2012. Keep on the lookout for this piece, I was fortunate to have seen a rehearsal last fall and I’m going to be sure to catch the piece as it tours through the Baltimore/DC area.

 

Lots of love to all, see you at Hotel Cassiopeia if you haven’t made it just yet.

 

Nathan Cooper

 

Nathan

Constellations: A guide to the set of Hotel Cassiopeia

April 9th, 2012

No Comments, Production, by nfulton.

For someone entering into Single Carrot Theatre you might be instantly drawn to the large white box at the Northwest corner of our space.  It is much larger than the other set pieces, and a distressed white color, similar to that of old paper left in the sun.

 

Yet when I look at this set piece the thing that draws my attention is the constellations portrayed in the back of the box.  One constellation in particular catches my eye… and it isn’t Cassiopeia.

 

It’s Bootes, the plough man of the heavens.  He is pictured next to his dogs, the Cannes Venatici, named Asterion & Chara.  What makes him so amazing to me is that he uses his dogs to chase the constellation Ursa Major across the sky, ensuring the constant rotation of the heavens. Another story for it’s origin holds that he was given his place in the sky by Demeter for inventing the plough.  And yet he is a secretive figure because it’s not clear who in Greek mythology he actually represents.

 

For Joseph Cornell he is an antagonist.  He ensures the passage of time while Joseph fights to preserve each individual moment.  For those of us looking to keep life from slipping through our fingers we must face the fact that the heavens, much like time, will keep marching on.