The Charlotte Street Arts Centre and Solo Chicken Productions present an intergenerational exploration of identity and belonging.
The Charlotte Street Arts Centre and Solo Chicken Productions are gearing up to present the grand finale production of The engAGING Art Community Project. This multidisciplinary, arts-based project began last fall as a means of offering students from George Street Middle School and seniors at Evelyn Grove Manor the opportunity to explore themes of identity and belonging together through artistic expression.
“As an artist I can truly say that I am driven by duel passions,” Solo Chicken Productions’ Lisa Anne Ross. “I love being in the studio with student and professional actors making new works, but I also derive so much from my community arts practice. In the past few years through Solo Chicken I have heralded a number of really exciting community arts projects including Moving Stories and The Bridge Project. They were amazing projects with exciting outcomes but I didn’t get to be in the studio with participants. For the duration of the engAGING Art Project I have had the luxury to not only run the project but to be in the studio on a weekly basis.”
Inspired by workshops in poetry with M. Anne Mitton, in theatre with Alex Rioux and Sharisse LeBrun, in movement with Lisa Anne Ross and Lesandra Dodson and visual art with Shinaid McGillvray, the program’s participants are currently working together to create a performance that incorporates elements from all these disciplines. Under the direction of Lisa Anne Ross and Lesandra Dodson with support from Sharisse LeBrun and Alex Rioux, this production will feature a multi-generational cast exploring elements of poetry, movement, theatre and art as one.
“Each week, Lesandra Dodson and myself spend two amazing hours with a group of women who call the Evelyn Grove Seniors Manor home. We have been helping the women to animate a collection of poems that they wrote under the tutelage of the splendid M. Anne Mitton,” said Ross. “There is a lot of laughing, arguing and passion during these sessions and each week I leave knowing that the arts are a critical part of a healthy happy life. Making art is exciting but facilitating opportunities for others to make art is a balm to the soul! I can’t wait to share the work of the Evelyn Grove women and the youth of George Street Middle School with the public. Bring your tissues!”
Life’s Reflections | The engAGING Art Community Project | Tuesday April 17 | 6 p.m. | Charlotte Street Arts Centre Auditorium. Admission is by donation.
For more information, please contact Eva George ArtReach Program Manager, Charlotte Street Arts Centre 506-454-6952
