Hello friends and fellow artists,
While you may still be frolicking down the artistic avenues that have been spread wide by the last Fresh Ground Pepper, there is no time to delay! I have begun to organize the June Fresh Ground Pepper, and I need YOU to submit YOUR ideas!
(For those of you who don’t know, Fresh Ground Pepper is a monthly development series for new theatrical work. It’s produced by The Centrifuge and it aims to give artists a safe, free space to share raw, in-progress, volatile, and thoroughly original work with a raucous audience of your friends and peers.)
The theme of the June Fresh Ground Pepper is OUTDOORS. The city is our stage. I’m looking at it as less of a showcase or workshop and more of an event; perhaps a happening. The event will be on June 5th, 2009, in the early evening before the sun sets. That’s all I know so far. The nature of the event and its logistics – and most importantly its location(s)—will be determined by the proposals that you guys submit. I encourage you to think big. Anything from site-specific body-sculpture to clowning, from guerilla subway-car parties to dance pieces in that East River Park amphitheater, from tag games to picnics, from busking in Tompkins Square to streaking in Times Square. The key to impactful outdoor performance in New York City is to challenge the architecture and/or audience that comes with the location you choose. We must not be afraid to turn heads; in fact, that must be our goal!
As with all the other FGP’s, there is a proposal submission process. It is possible, especially if we have a street parade or something, to include dozens of acts in this event. However, in order to create a cohesive evening, we may have to give preference to some acts over others. To submit, please send an e-mail to thecentrifugeny@gmail.com that answers the following questions:
1.) What is your idea?
2.) What is your ideal location to stage said idea?
3.) How will your event/performance engage with the location?
4.) How will your event/performance engage with the audience?
5.) What materials does your idea require?
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:
SOUND: Nothing commands attention in this loud urban cacophonofunnyfarm like music. However, amplified sound is difficult to accommodate since most outdoor spots have no electricity. Please let me know if you might want to incorporate battery-powered boomboxes and/or musical instruments. At least think on what your piece sounds like and how it will be heard.
COMPETITION: Some locations in NYC are notoriously tourist-heavy and thus attract the most professional street performance acts. Beware that at 7pm on a Friday night Union Square, for example, will have break-dancers and sword-swallowers. Any event that we stage there will also, whether we like it or not, engage with these performers and their crowds.
PARADE: Maximum flexibility will be afforded if the FGP audience (and of course any passers-by who feel like a fun time) can be led from location to location. If you want to be involved in this FGP but don’t have a specific idea for a performance, then perhaps you could help with the journey between performances! We’re going to need people to wave some flags and blow some horns.
So, that’s it. Yael Miriam is also helping me, Drew Vanderburg, organize this event. Just e-mail everything to thecentrifugeny@gmail.com and one of us will get back to you in a few days. You could also comment on The Outdoor FGP blog. The deadline for submissions is APRIL 26TH!!
Thanks. Get ready for some fun!
PEACE
Drew Vanderburg
