http://creativelyindependent.net/blog A Digital Ensemble - Inspiring, Creating and Educating Together Mon, 14 May 2012 21:34:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=383 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=383#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 21:34:23 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=383 I am a magpie collecting moments of brilliance that illuminate the unknown; bright and shiny jewels well buried in the shoulds, have to’s, and can’t’s. I am an artist enamored and challenged by choreographic patterns, theatrical storytelling, musical heartbeats and complex thoughts. A revolutionary who believes in one’s potential not one’s past. I am digging deep, following arts’ roots to the source of humanity.]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=383 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=364 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=364#comments Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:18:18 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=364 Actors must come into auditions on a healthier foot than “please give me this job/college spot, I beg of you.” If the actor already feels this sense of “my fate is in a stranger’s hands” then how can he/she feel strong enough to perform, to be vulnerable on stage in front of that stranger? Forced acting and false energy is the direct product of this feeling of helplessness....]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=364 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=354 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=354#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:43:35 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=354 Last summer Episcopal School brought Creatively Independent in for a Master Class week of Physical Theatre.  It turned into a joyous adventure of actor devised work exploring the themes inside childhood games. This Master Class series is open to all Jacksonville students and will occur again June 25-29, 2012.  9-noon. *Open enrollment, limited space, $300/student*  [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=354 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=347 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=347#comments Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:36:42 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=347 New interdisciplinary arts LAB opening in Jacksonville, FL headed by co-directors, Chris Beaulieu and Jess Pillmore. THE LAB is a month-long training ground in experimental arts using theatre, dance, music and creative writing as tools to explore your unique point of view as an artist. Each month we’ll explore theme-based art creation that promises to be physical, dynamic and challenging with a strong focus on play!]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=347 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=341 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=341#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:22:53 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=341 The classroom, rehearsal hall or lab is where one must try anything and everything for the sake of the exercise or tool to be explored not for the sake of an audience. That is another, very important, but additional step in the process; one that is often jumped to for the sake of energy or treat-oriented teaching.]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=341 1 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=312 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=312#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:05:16 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=312 I was in school mode and trying to be childlike and excited about opportunities I might not have let myself take advantage of because of silly “adult” excuses – too busy, too expensive, too tired… But the good little schoolgirl, Jessica, took my hand and we experienced many fun and interesting moments in the performing arts this summer – all with my older, critical eye.]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=312 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=299 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=299#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:54:11 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=299 This is just another clear example of how the seemingly individual threads of my life – work, motherhood, marriage, art – are woven into an intricate and ever-changing pattern of me. Which makes me question are any of us truly individuals? Even inside ourselves, there are many selves. Are we all tiny communities built out of tinier communities, all trying to focus on a common goal?]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=299 1 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=287 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=287#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:30:50 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=287 A critical essay on a strong individual’s exploration inside the dance world. When I think of stunning contemporary dancers, or performers in general, a few come to mind quickly: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Martha Graham, Judith Jamison, Savion Glover and Sylvie Guillem. All had the reputation for being both muse and diva; motivating and challenging; loved and gossiped about. All had amazing talent discovered in themselves at an early age, a drive to work that talent into an art and the ambition to show it to the world no matter who said they shouldn’t or couldn’t.]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=287 2 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=268 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=268#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:56:38 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=268 To observe without judgment, to help by not helping at all Staying, listening, recording How I have difficulty not assessing Difficulty waiting without planning Imagining putting pieces together to form a larger whole All this stops me from working as a witness Finding stillness, breath, letting stories of pain, happiness, joy, longing - flowing through me]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=268 1 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=269 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=269#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:47:17 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=269 Hi everyone, This is Jess Pillmore, Co-Artistic Director of CI. I’m currently working on my MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts at Goddard College and would love to share some of my work with you on this blog. My goal for this degree is to explore how to active an individual inside an ensemble and conversely how [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=269 1 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=254 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=254#comments Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:42:46 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=254 C.I. has been slacking a bit with the blog entries (hopefully, this will change… today). Busy bees that we are, we have tons of news: Jess & Chris have conceived and directed a post-modern feminist look at HAMLET, that’s one rollercoaster ride of rock ‘n’ roll and physical theatre! We decided to do gender specific [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=254 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=244 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=244#comments Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:27:26 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=244 There are a lot of sayings that pop into my head with this one: “Timing is everything.” “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” All of these tried and true quotes and yet we still downplay the importance of timing. A prime example, in our work, is when companies and schools call [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=244 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=229 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=229#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:24:59 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=229 So... I volunteered to partner with a student for his small sword test. And unfortunately, that is where my ownership of the experience started and stopped. I thought I was being helpful "just being his partner", letting him lead the rehearsal process and giving him whatever he asked for. Because of this, I was holding back many things: a personal interest in my work, major skills I could utilize (teaching and coaching) and a point of view....]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=229 3 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=214 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=214#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:20:18 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=214 Great week in Jacksonville working on physical theatre (contact improv, “As One” collective consciousness, intention and actor/creator skills).  We had a blast with a terrific group of risk takers!  Watch the video here…]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=214 1 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=194 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=194#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:55:11 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=194 On the blog, we’re starting to spotlight exercises we use in rehearsals and workshops.  The key is never the game itself, it’s the use of it.  One game can be used in so many different ways, accomplishing many different goals.  Keep in mind:  What does the group need?  Why am I using this exercise now?  [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=194 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=188 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=188#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 03:34:44 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=188 Here’s the quandary… how does someone know what someone else NEEDS to learn?  They can’t, they can only guess based on statistics and past experience.  But we’re not living in the past and education is meant to prepare us for the future. So… what to do? I suggest switching roles. Let the student be the [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=188 1 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=96 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=96#comments Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:08:09 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=96 They say we all have a little bit of stereotyping/prejudice in us and I am no exception.  Recently, I was at a conference of multicultural schools in Germany.  While there, I worked with teachers and students from many different countries and cultures.  As our ensembles formed, I noticed a student who fit the Non-Team player [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=96 1 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=94 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=94#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:08:31 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=94 As I watch a student try an activity, I see how we’ve truly become creatures of multitasking… and I don’t know if that’s good or not.  The more you’re doing the better, seems to be the current motto.  With that in our blood stream, are we ever doing one thing well? I ask the students [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=94 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=162 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=162#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:40:41 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=162 When directing a play or teaching character work, I have many exercises dedicated to giving the actor the opportunity to live inside the world of the play.  We start these exercises at the beginning but I’ve noticed it’s difficult for some actors to fully commit early on.   They tend to hold back in rehearsal, [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=162 0 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=145 http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=145#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:48:42 +0000 Co-founders, Chris & Jess http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?p=145 Clean slates are important in our work, starting from neutral in order to build a character, a play, a song, etc.  Yet most of us tend to cover up our neutral in one of two ways… doing too much or suppressing doing anything… both fight what truly “is”. Sometimes we observe our students doing more [...]]]> http://creativelyindependent.net/blog/?feed=rss2&p=145 0