Sparks Ensemble
Challenge in the Time of Pandemic
May 12, 2020 #2
By Paula Kramer
. . .
Ensemble means together and, during this time of pandemic disconnect, being true to the meaning begs patience, creativity and the kindness of friends. The challenge is to keep the sparks flying until we can be together and do the necessary hands-on work.
Thankfully, the twelve artists in the Sparks Ensemble are all of these things and so much more.
The impetus and title of our project is Sheila Cowley’s short play entitled, Three Actors, Three Dancers, Three Visual Artists and One Piano Player – which is really Four Actors, Three Dancers, Three Visual Artists, One Piano Player, A Director, A Choreographer and A Playwright. Sheila Cowley’s imaginative words and vision. This project is an offshoot of the newly formed Sparks Ensemble, a collaborative of artists that have enjoyed working together in several configurations and wish to continue in a more formalized manner.
Our plan is to create and produce a multi-arts performance of the play and an accompanying gallery exhibit of the visual arts created. The production will take place at The Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, Fl. during a Saturday ArtWalk, Fall 2020.
To this purpose, we will focus on workshops that permit sharing our professional experiences while re-envisioning, redefining and enriching our individual art forms.
Presently participants are being asked to submit artful games that we can play when we physically reconnect and turn our focus to Sheila’s imaginative words and vision.
