Hi! I'm Brad, a theatre artist working and living in Fargo, North Dakota. I'm also an Ensemble Member at Theatre B in Fargo. I am hoping to fund a journey to Japan to train with the Suzuki Company of Toga.
What it is:
I have the privilege of training with the Suzuki Company of Toga (SCOT) in the Suzuki Method of Actor Training (SMAT) for two weeks this fall. The Suzuki Method’s principal concern is to restore the wholeness of the human body to the theatrical context and uncover the actor’s innate expressive abilities. A rigorous physical discipline, the training seeks to heighten the actor’s emotional and physical power and commitment to each moment on the stage.
An example of the Suzuki Method:
Why I want to go:
The first time I watched a performer trained in the Suzuki method
it radically altered what I thought performance was. During the course of the 90-minute,
one-person show, the actor’s incredible presence, energy, and focus held the
room breathless. ‘I’ve never seen anything like this’, I thought to myself, ‘I
have to figure out how he is doing this’.
This experience affected me profoundly because it was so unexpected
and outside of my understanding of what performance is and what it could be.
I have had the good fortune of experiencing the Suzuki Method through the teaching-artists of the SITI Company.
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These training experiences have fueled my desire to be able to train directly with the Suzuki Company at the Toga Arts Park.
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I have lived and worked in the same cultural context for all of my theatrical life. As an artist who primarily works as a director, I want to experience the training personally; that personal connection will allow it to influence my work. Seeking Suzuki training is an intentional way for me to put myself far out of my context and comfort zone so that something different can emerge.
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This is an opportunity not just for me, but also for the ensemble of Theatre B as well as for the artistic community I am fortunate to be a part of. When I return, I plan on offering several workshops in the training to fellow artists. I also plan on incorporating it into each rehearsal process I undertake to give us all a shared vocabulary and to better bring our bodies into our art.
The Need:
True Fact! Travel to and around Japan is expensive! It's a long way away!
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Add in tuition and taking time away from work, and it's a pretty big number. Thankfully, I've received an Artist Fellowship from the North Dakota Council on the Arts that helps defray the cost, but not all of it.
Some hard numbers:
Expenses-
Airfare: $1700
Tuition: $1000
Lodging: $500
Travel within Japan: $300
Meals, etc: $500
Funding-
Artist Fellowship Grant: $2500
Personal Savings: $1000
The Gap: $500 + no income for 3 weeks
Your help will cover the gap to make this crazy dream possible. Without it, I am uncertain how I will be able to afford this opportunity.
Because words alone are inadequate to express my appreciation, there are donation perks to amuse and gratify you. Every backer will also receive access to a blog I will be keeping to chronicle my experiences.
I thank you in advance for your help.
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