Jeremy on Another Kind of Community: The Magic of the Theatrical Ensemble
Saturday, October 25, 2014 Filed in: Voices from the Group
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.
Read More...
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...Comments
Our First Session(s)
Monday, September 29, 2014 Filed in: Session Recaps
Two different generations of LGBTQ people met separately for Bridging the Gap’s first session(s) of 2014.
On September 27th, older LGBTQ adults aged 60 and up and younger LGBTQ adults between the ages of 19 and 27 convened during two different first sessions. It’s a tradition to hold separate, age-defined sessions during the first day of Bridging the Gap to give people from each generation an opportunity to meet each other, begin to form relationships, and air perceptions about the other generation in a safe space before both generations come together for our second session. This year’s first session was a wonderful mix of fresh-faced new members and familiar friends from the past. The sessions were led by facilitators Timothy Connell, Kevin Ray and Sherry Teitelbaum.
Read More...
On September 27th, older LGBTQ adults aged 60 and up and younger LGBTQ adults between the ages of 19 and 27 convened during two different first sessions. It’s a tradition to hold separate, age-defined sessions during the first day of Bridging the Gap to give people from each generation an opportunity to meet each other, begin to form relationships, and air perceptions about the other generation in a safe space before both generations come together for our second session. This year’s first session was a wonderful mix of fresh-faced new members and familiar friends from the past. The sessions were led by facilitators Timothy Connell, Kevin Ray and Sherry Teitelbaum.
Read More...