The set for "As the Rhythm Changes" featuring our instrument "nations."

As I mentioned last Monday, I spent the week in rehearsals for “As the Rhythm Changes” – a workshop performance created by Mankwe Ndosi. This weekend, we presented three performances.

Each show started with Mankwe talking about the genesis of the project. The roots of the show began in discussions about sustainability and involved Mankwe conducting 20 interviews to talk to people about how we come to change our routines. How do we make changes when they’re voluntary and when they’re thrust upon us? What happens when we struggle? And how can we as communities examine our routines and our efforts to change them?

With each show, we invited more audience involvement; all of us believing that art should be something in which the artists and the witnesses participate together.

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The "ski-ra," two instruments from Crutchland and a rain stick.

After her introduction, Mankwe called us to the stage one by one and each of us spent a brief time in improvisation with her and the audience. After each of our duets, we created group pieces incorporating motifs from the three pieces we chose not to develop for this debut. On Friday and Saturday, Mankwe selected the groups; on Sunday, we volunteered.

(Note: We realized shortly into our week of rehearsals that the material Mankwe created was extremely rich and dense, so we spent our time developing one of her stories – Soil, Root, Devotion, Seed.)

Interspersed and accompanying the songs were parts we played on instruments invented and constructed by Douglas R. Eiwart and improvised dances stemming from seed movements Mankwe created with the help of cast member Kenna Sarge and others.

We organized our set into five instrument nations (photo above shows 3 of the 5) allowing us to move from individual spaces to come together in communities to create pieces.

My nation of dream chimes

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Because such a large part of each show was improvised, it felt like I was in three shows this weekend. Friday night’s performance was energetic and quick-paced as we claimed the space and revealed Mankwe’s “seeds” to our audience for the first time. Saturday night was more open and reflective with longer pieces and stories, including a sing-along with audience. Sunday, we dubbed family day and included more guest appearances (thanks to those who danced and sang!) and high spirits for wrapping up our successful first “run.”

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As the Rythm Changes Cast: Kenna Sarge, Sarah M. Greer, Aimee K. Bryant, Libby Turner-Opanga and creator Mankwe Ndosi

All in all, I was thrilled to work on such interesting material with such fabulous collaborators, including Aimee K. Bryant, Kenna Sarge, Libby Turner-Opanga. The collaboration seemed effortless; we all just “clicked.” As Aimee stated, there were no diva moments — everyone just jumped in with both feet and enjoyed the ideas, skills and talent each of us had to offer.

Mankwe wants to further develop the concept which hopefully means more changes to come.

“Just when you come to think you’re just where you oughta be – somethin’ changes.”
– Wenda Grabeau

Note: Mankwe interviewed the Grabeau family as part of preparing to create “As the Rhythm Changes.”

I’ve been thinking for some time (Hello again, Procrastination) that I should write a post explaining why I write this blog (especially as I approach my second blog-ivesary).

Some experts would argue that this should have been my very first post.

But as you, dear regular reader, know, I’m taking a more improvisational approach to things these days. You know, my life, my work, my music and certainly this blog.

I mean, if I’d had to know what I was doing (and where I was going) with this blog, I might have talked myself out of writing it in the first place. And I (at least) think that would be a shame.

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“She didn’t know it couldn’t be done, so she went ahead and did it.”
–Bridget O’Donnell

That’s the truth. I didn’t really know what I was doing.

But, I wanted to write about vocal improv, so I did it. I started writing this blog with no expectations about how it would turn out or really what it would even be like. (Not having ever blogged before, it was easy not to have a lot of expectations *smile*).

I thought I had some stuff to say about improvisation. To be honest, I thought this blog would be much more technical and much more focused on the how-tos of singing. I had no idea it would prove so educational (for me) and so inspirational (to others).

“I love receiving your messages. Thank you!”

“Thank you! Perfect! Exactly what I needed to hear today!”

“Thanks for sharing your process.”

“It’s fun to hear your adventures, your perspective, & especially this tasty audio tidbit.”

I thank you for taking the time to read and email and comment. And, hey, if you enjoy reading my blog, I’d appreciate it if you’d send it on.

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Remember: The next Songtaneous is Saturday, May 22. Visit the Events page for all the details. Hope to sing with you soon!