Page 16 RAIN February/March 1978 EN;EiGY THEATER UPDATE In the October 1_977 issue of RAIN (Vol. IV, No. 1) we ran an article on AERO's New Western Energy Show that.traveled about during the past two summers bringing ideas on energy conservation and alternative sources of energy home to people of small Montana towns. At the end of that article we:asked for informatio11 about other such groups aro~nd the country. . Here are our responses from North' Carolina to Santa Cruz. Anybody know of any more? PrlcMJ mime tJrnlrc Friends Mime Theatre 1248 North 86th St. Milwaukee, WI 414/453-6281 This group of three fro_m the Midwest conducted over 300 performances and workshops last year for children and adults in theaters and community co-ops, universities and street corners. Their current show is ""'The Energy Circus" which according to Robin Leenhouts (co-director of AERO's New Western Energy Show) is "a very good show with lots of information and exceptionally good acting. They're very different from us-more political and hardhitting but not as har~h as some West Coast groups I've seen. :rhere's a real positiveness to them." They have a bib1iography on energy they hand out after the show and they encourage folks to talk to them. Their message to the audience is to ·act on the issues. They also do other thematic shows-an earlier one was on food, a new one is planned on work. Hello, Seeing the article in the October issue on energy theater excited me to the point of tingles. For the past couple months I have centered my energy on clarifyin·g and acquiring information concerning alternative energies. The time factor surrounding the energy problem h'as contributed to my feeling responsible for motivating the 'masses to get off their asses. Respording to tqis pass~on I derived the· thought of an energy .road show. •. Sharing the idea with inspirator Coleman Smith and others aware of the necessity has.generated a promising display of enthusiasm. Still in the planning stag,e,_the show will involve ~rchitects, musicians, designers, technicians, filmmakers, dan£ers and variou:s creative talents. Observing generally a lack of knowledge amongst individu- ' als and groups on methods for solving energy problems,·we , intend to remain in particular locations long enough to make a considerable impression. Through workshops we can offer solutions which ~ill be gathered during the next couple months. We are seeking input to define the a·re-as of greatest con: cern ~n preparation for grant application. Discovering your · existence has added impetus to our endeavor. With warmth, Denise Decker 11 Maiden Lane Ra)eigh, NC 27607 Apollo Players _ c/o Ted Genova· 9 Tennis Crescent Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Apollo Players was one of ten theater troupes formed under the Summer Job Corps Programme in Canada. They were co-sponsored by the Office of Energy Conservation of Energy Mints and Resources Canada and by Employment Immigration Canada. This Toronto-ba·sed troupe Was comprised of five theater arts students, a creative writing graduate and an environmental studies graduate. They toured schools, shopping malls and summer camps du.ring the summer of 1977-and were hoping to get funded to continue during the rest of the year. "Our costumes are made mostly from our own reused ~aterfal: a little ·homema:de magic to bl~nd fantasy with reality. W,e strive to_bring the children into tpe act, as Dorothy in the Wizer of Off appeals to the audience for lessons learned during her adventures in the land of Off. Dorothy, an energy wasting little girl, and her puppet dog Toronto, stumble upon the lost power ring of the Wicked Waste of the_West, who uses all the precious, saved-up energy of the Munchkins who live in the land of Off." Santa Cruz Meme Workshop 153 Myrtle Street Santa ~ruz, CA 95060 408/423-7807 '-'The Santa Cruz Meme Workshop is a community-based ensemble involved in people's theate,r a~d popular entertainments supporting progressive social issues locally and bio- • regionally. Our plays speak to those realities which people create and can change together." • Their current repertoire includes Warriors of the Rainb_ow, a compilation of West Coast Indian mythology told in story theater form, and Water, Water! A Tale of Two Species, a watershed celebration. They are pulling together two new shows for a tour in Fall 1978-one on energy, ecology and children's rights tentatively entitled Homeskin, and a second one on personal liberation. The tour, including residency works~pps, will be geared towards rural Northern California. If you're from that area and would like to have them visit, 'let them know. •
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