Voices from the Group
Reflections on 2014
Monday, March 02, 2015
We close out our blog entries for BTG 2014 with a montage of voices. First up are some final thoughts from co-directors Sherry, Kevin and Tim followed by quotes from group members taken from our final reflection session.Sherry: Bridging the Gap 2014 satisfied me in many ways. First, I got to take risks and experiment with the balance between freedom and structure as I directed the five members of my “crew” scene group. My group enthusiastically developed two alternate endings and presented them to the whole ensemble for feedback. Second, I found it exciting when the ensemble accepted the challenge of an entirely new form: a place play. I had never used this form as a director, so it stretched my artistic muscles and took me into new territory. In addition, the ensemble embraced the device of dividing each scene into three parts and then weaving the parts together throughout the show. In past BTG shows, each scene
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Brian on The Art of the Unknown
Sunday, November 02, 2014
Bridging the Gap is featuring blog posts from our group members to give an inside view of what it's like to be part of the project. This post is written by Brain, a member of Bridging the Gap since 2012. You can see a pictures of him in our productions of Food for Thought and The Quest for Love above. Enjoy!by Brian Frank
I’m 24 years old and I guess you can call me one of the “old” young people in this ensemble as this is my third year with Bridging the Gap. I joined this project in 2012, after a recruiting session at the LGBT Center’s YES Program (Youth Enrichment Services). I was drawn to this project because it was an opportunity to get involved with theatre. Theatre has always been a huge passion of mine, so if any chance to stretch my acting wings and develop skills on a stage came along, I was going to jump on it. However, I soon discovered this would be a unique experience, one that I never expected to come my way.
The concept of using theatre to bridge generation gaps between the young and old is nothing new. But the idea of theatre bridging the generation gap specifically in the LGBT community is something I never gave much thought. As a gay 20-something, my upbringing and coming out has had its hardships, but thanks to the advancements of the law and positive changes in the social perceptions of LGBT people over the last few years, it has been open and relatively smooth.
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Jeremy on Another Kind of Community: The Magic of the Theatrical Ensemble
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Bridging the Gap is featuring blog posts from our group members to give an inside view of what it's like to be part of the project. This post is written by Jeremy, a new member of Bridging the Gap. You can see a picture of him in the center of the group above. Enjoy!
by Jeremy Ashton
Creating theatre is, by its very nature, a bonding experience. Because thespians use emotions, vulnerability, trust and collaboration as key components to the artistic process, actors are somewhat forced (if not by our natural personalities, by the nature of our chosen art) to bond together. Being in a show requires individuals to support, trust and rely on each other (even if it’s just while the stage lights are up.)
Through Bridging the Gap, the experience of being part of such a diverse, multigenerational ensemble has brought that powerful bonding agent I’ve always experienced in theatre even more to the forefront. Through games, exercises, and a sense of shared risk and creative energy, I am willing to dive headfirst into situations and conversations with those whom I might not otherwise feel comfortable with, or who might not otherwise feel totally comfortable with me. Being in a theatrical ensemble allows us all to just be artists together, forgetting about the differences in age, gender, or sexuality between us all. The nature of the ensemble gives us a starting point from which to build trust and come together.
As the Bridging the Gap ensemble continues on our creative journey together, I can’t wait to see what this amazing group of people has to teach me. I am sure I will be inspired, educated, and challenged by my fellow artists, but I know I am going to enjoy my time as a member of the community we are building together.
SAVE THE DATE!
Our upcoming free performance will be on:
Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 3pm.
TADA! Theater - 15 West 28th Street NYC
More details to follow.
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by Jeremy Ashton
Creating theatre is, by its very nature, a bonding experience. Because thespians use emotions, vulnerability, trust and collaboration as key components to the artistic process, actors are somewhat forced (if not by our natural personalities, by the nature of our chosen art) to bond together. Being in a show requires individuals to support, trust and rely on each other (even if it’s just while the stage lights are up.)
Through Bridging the Gap, the experience of being part of such a diverse, multigenerational ensemble has brought that powerful bonding agent I’ve always experienced in theatre even more to the forefront. Through games, exercises, and a sense of shared risk and creative energy, I am willing to dive headfirst into situations and conversations with those whom I might not otherwise feel comfortable with, or who might not otherwise feel totally comfortable with me. Being in a theatrical ensemble allows us all to just be artists together, forgetting about the differences in age, gender, or sexuality between us all. The nature of the ensemble gives us a starting point from which to build trust and come together.
As the Bridging the Gap ensemble continues on our creative journey together, I can’t wait to see what this amazing group of people has to teach me. I am sure I will be inspired, educated, and challenged by my fellow artists, but I know I am going to enjoy my time as a member of the community we are building together.
SAVE THE DATE!
Our upcoming free performance will be on:
Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 3pm.
TADA! Theater - 15 West 28th Street NYC
More details to follow.
Read More...Sal on the Intergenerational Experience
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Bridging the Gap is featuring blog posts from our group members to give an inside view of what it's like to be part of the project. This post is written by Sal, who has returned to Bridging the Gap after participating in last year’s project. You can see a picture of him and DeAngelo above. Enjoy!
I'm an actor and playwright. I'm very happy to be involved with Bridging the Gap for the second consecutive year. It's one of the few intergenerational multicultural theatre communities that I know. It feels GREAT to be a part of an environment that offers a rich tapestry of life experiences and creative know-how.
Upon participating this second year, I was THRILLED to learn that my young friend-- who played the title role of Marvin in "Marvin's Fetish" (in my play reading at SAGE), --- had learned about Bridging The Gap and had actually become a member! There is legal justice, there is poetic justice and then there's DeAngelo Justice--who has just won a major role in my friend Alan Baxter's new amazing play, "Juan and Emmett”. DeAngelo is one of many young, talented and stimulating people who I look forward to working with week after week. I also very much enjoy interacting with "slightly" mature members such as myself--all of whom I've come to treasure. (Many members--by sheer coincidence--are faithful members of SAGE'S Monday night acting class.)
Everyone who attends Bridging The Gap--regardless of age--constantly offer thought-provoking comments, suggestions and keen observations. Each Saturday I look forward to participating in stimulating exercises, fun and original games and improvisational sketches. Tim Connell, Sherry Teitelbaum and Kevin Ray are AWESOME! They're encouraging, inventive and totally supportive of EACH ONE OF US--and of ONE ANOTHER. If you're interested in a safe, creative, fun, exciting, informative, friendly way to learn about theatre, check out www.bridgingthegap.nyc. I'm glad I did!
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I'm an actor and playwright. I'm very happy to be involved with Bridging the Gap for the second consecutive year. It's one of the few intergenerational multicultural theatre communities that I know. It feels GREAT to be a part of an environment that offers a rich tapestry of life experiences and creative know-how.
Upon participating this second year, I was THRILLED to learn that my young friend-- who played the title role of Marvin in "Marvin's Fetish" (in my play reading at SAGE), --- had learned about Bridging The Gap and had actually become a member! There is legal justice, there is poetic justice and then there's DeAngelo Justice--who has just won a major role in my friend Alan Baxter's new amazing play, "Juan and Emmett”. DeAngelo is one of many young, talented and stimulating people who I look forward to working with week after week. I also very much enjoy interacting with "slightly" mature members such as myself--all of whom I've come to treasure. (Many members--by sheer coincidence--are faithful members of SAGE'S Monday night acting class.)
Everyone who attends Bridging The Gap--regardless of age--constantly offer thought-provoking comments, suggestions and keen observations. Each Saturday I look forward to participating in stimulating exercises, fun and original games and improvisational sketches. Tim Connell, Sherry Teitelbaum and Kevin Ray are AWESOME! They're encouraging, inventive and totally supportive of EACH ONE OF US--and of ONE ANOTHER. If you're interested in a safe, creative, fun, exciting, informative, friendly way to learn about theatre, check out www.bridgingthegap.nyc. I'm glad I did!
Read More...Amethyst on Session 2
Sunday, October 05, 2014
Bridging the Gap is featuring blog posts from our group members to give an inside view of what it's like to be part of the project. This post about the second session is written by Amethyst, who has returned to Bridging the Gap every year since 2011. You can see a picture of her in conversation with Jack above. Enjoy!
This week was the first time the seniors and younger participants came together. Since I am one of the senior participants, I was very eager to meet and greet the younger members of our theatre group. Of the younger members who attended, some had been part of Bridging The Gap before, and some were brand new members. It was very good to see people I had interacted with in prior Bridging The Gap workshops; but it was also great to meet new people as well.
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This week was the first time the seniors and younger participants came together. Since I am one of the senior participants, I was very eager to meet and greet the younger members of our theatre group. Of the younger members who attended, some had been part of Bridging The Gap before, and some were brand new members. It was very good to see people I had interacted with in prior Bridging The Gap workshops; but it was also great to meet new people as well.
Read More...