Martial Arts in Live Theater

[GeneChing]

see previous post

Fight choreographer is David ChienHui Shen (Taiwan; www.davidshendance.com). Set design is by Yoki Lai (Hong Kong, http://www.yokilai.com). An original score is being created by Sam Su Seng (China). Costume Design is by David ChienHui Shen and Yoki Lai. Lighting Design is by Joyce Liao (Taiwan).

The actors, all martial artists and dancers, are Wayne Chang, Rachel Filsoff, Aki Goto, Zane Hayes, Carl Ka-Ho Li, Ashley Liang, Ajia Maximillian, Phillip Redmond, Adrian Sinclair, Peter Song, Derrick St. Hill, Rashawn Strife, Steven Sun, Stephanie Willing, Sen Yang, Cedric Yau, Sarah Yu and Jie Zhuang.

Jin Yong (the pen name of Louis Cha), a co-founder of Hong Kong's Ming Pao Daily, was author of fifteen Martial Arts novels between 1955 and 1972 and is considered the preeminent writer of the golden age of the Wuxia genre, which extends from the 1960s to the 1980s. The popularity of the genre has caused it to spread to art, comics, films, television, theater and video games. He was born in 1924 and retired from writing in 1972. Most of his works were initially serialized in Honk Kong newspapers, particularly Ming Pao, where he was co-owner and Editor-in-Chief. Beside his Wuxia novels, he has also written many non-fiction works on the history of China and received many honors, including the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1981 and the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (1992) and Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2004) from the French government. He served on the Hong Kong Basic Law drafting committee, but resigned in protest after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. He was also part of the Preparatory Committee set up in 1996 to supervise Hong Kong's transition by the Chinese government. He revised and reissued all his major works between 1999 and 2006. As of June 2007, he was studying for his PhD in Oriental Studies (Chinese History) at St. John's College, Cambridge.

Joanna Chan (author/director) co-founded Yangtze Repertory Theatre of America (www.yangtze-rep-theatre.org) in 1992 to produce works for and by Asian artists. Since then, it has become New York's most significant entry point for dramatic works from Chinese-speaking countries and a place of collaboration for artists from various parts of Asia. Her own plays also include the political and controversial drama, "The Soongs: By Dreams Betrayed." Her "One Family One Child One Door," a black comedy on the human cost of China's one-child policy, premiered in 2001 and was revived twice. It was a finalist in the Jane Chambers Playwriting Contest. Chan's 1998 drama, "Crown Ourselves With Roses," has been selected as one of 23 most significant works in Chinese theater in the past 100 years for An Anthology of Modern Chinese Theater to be published by Columbia University Press later this year. An English version of Chan's 1985 drama, "Before the Dawn-Wind Rises," was included in An Oxford Anthology of Chinese Contemporary Drama (1997).

The 60-plus productions she has directed include her own works and classics. Reviewing Chan's "Oedipus Rex" at Sing Sing in 2006, Michael Millius wrote in the (Bedford, NY) Record-Review, "You might think I'd have seen some great theater over the years with my aunt, Michael Strange being married to John Barrymore, or my work with Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber as creative director of MCA Music. But still, even after all that, and more than half a century of theatergoing, I was not prepared for the experience of seeing a performance of "Oedipus Rex" by inmates at Sing Sing prison. When written by Sophocles circa 430 B.C. (and considered by the ancient Greeks to be his best work), the author couldn't have imagined how his play would enjoy one of its finest hours 2,500 years later, being rendered by inmates in a maximum-security prison."

David ChienHui Shen (fight choreographer) graduated from the Chinese Cultural University, majoring in Martial Arts with a focus on Tai Chi Chuan. In 1997, he won the gold medal at the National Tai Chi Competition in Taiwan and began his dance career with the Chinese Youth Goodwill Mission, touring 25 cities around Asia in 1991. He danced professionally with the Taipei Folk Dance Troupe from 1991-1997, where in 1992 he choreographed the Martial Arts Suite for the Troupe's special performance "Ode to Chinese Culture" at Lincoln Center. In 1996, Mr. Shen performed the special role of Villain in the Taipei production of the dance drama "The Pea**** Princess" and as "Director" in the opening dance for the "Golden Horse Movie Award"s on Taiwan TV. He was the lead performer in the "History of Taiwanese Jazz Dancing" series, a 6-month series of performances exploring the history of Taiwanese cultural dance. Soon after that he joined the Peggy Wu Jazz Dance Company, where in 1998 he was a member of the first Taiwanese Jazz Dance troupe to be invited to tour mainland China. After performing in "The White Snake Legend," a Chinese drama, at the Taipei Cultural Center in New York in 1999, Mr. Shen moved to the United States to work with the Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, where he performed until 2003 when he joined the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company. With these and other companies he continues to perform around the world. He currently works as a dancer and choreographer based in New York City. He appeared in "Li, The Last King" with Mabou Mines at PS 122. He is a member of the Executive Board of Yangtze Rep and has appeared in its productions of "Luo Shen," "Forbidden City West" and "Beyond Time and Place." Last fall, he was one of four choreographers featured by Yangtze Rep in "TRACES: Variations In A Foreign Land #10" at Flushing Town Hall. (www.davidshendance.com)

Sam Su Seng (composer) is a noted music producer in Mainland China, a professional lyricist, composer, opera singer and pianist. He also specializes in keyboards and synthesizers. His works "You And I On The Road Of Love" and "The Fish Looking For Love" won prestigious awards for original music composition in China. He has been a television producer for South East TV and Sinovision.

Yoki Lai (set design) has designed sets and costumes in the US, UK, Hong Kong and Japan since 1999 and earned her MFA from Yale School of Drama in 2008. She designed "From Mao to Met" for PBS. She won the Donald and Zorca Oenslager Fellowship Award in Design from Yale School of Drama in 2008, The Asian Cultural Council Fellowship Award in 2007 and two awards from Hong Kong Federation of Drama Societies: Best Set Design in 2006 and Best Make-up & Image Design in 2005. She is currently assisting Santo Loquasto. (http://www.yokilai.com)

Joyce Liao (lighting design) holds an M.F.A. in theatrical lighting design from Ohio University and has designed lighting for operas, musicals, dance and plays in NY and across the country. Her design for "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" won the USITT Peggy Ezekiel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design and was included in the World Stage Design 2005 Exhibit in Toronto. Her recent projects include "Soul Of Shaolin" on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre, "King Lear" at the National Black Theatre and "Stella Rising" at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre. Her NY credits also include "The Stronger" at ArcLight Theatre, "Handball" at Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, "The Alice Complex" at Cherry Lane Theatre and "Nowadays" at Metropolitan Playhouse.

[GeneChing]

A Show Born in a Garden, but Not Garden Variety
By CLAUDIA LA ROCCO
Published: April 9, 2010

A disclaimer before I review Paige Martin’s “Panorama”: I left 25 minutes before the show’s conclusion.

So did much of Thursday night’s audience — I think, anyway; it was hard to tell, given that we stumbled out of the darkened St. Mark’s Church with only our cellphones to guide us. What followed, we were told, was nearly a half-hour of the same. Then fini.

Thus ended my experience of Back to New York City, the terrific Danspace Project series organized by Juliette Mapp. But let’s rewind a little more than two hours, to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, when “Panorama,” Ms. Mapp’s final curatorial selection, began outside on the serenely beautiful church grounds.

The audience was herded from the front gates to a side garden. As the daylight faded, dancers rushed about us, their swooping, turning actions increasingly difficult to discern in the gloom. A Led Zeppelin song played. And then it was time to go inside. A logjam formed as the garden emptied of people save for three men, all Shaolin martial artists, driving their bodies through gorgeous, controlled arcs of force.

The logjam’s cause became clear upon entry: each viewer had to ease between two naked performers, Ms. Martin’s version of Marina Abramovic’s “Imponderabilia,” currently on view at the Museum of Modern Art. Once all were inside, the visual art world trappings piled up, with everyone milling around as if at a gallery opening. There were drinks to be had, and some sculpture, including a tall phallic column wrapped in fabric. Cellphone use was welcomed.

Then nothing much happened, for roughly an hour, other than the space’s growing uncomfortably hot. The column was dismantled. Eventually there was about seven minutes of naked noodling on the floor (Sharon Stone would have been impressed), and an also-brief chorus line of engaging topless dancers. Finally a young man delivered a rambling, mumbled speech about light and darkness, ending with (Can you guess?) the blackout.

Things could be said here — about durational art, about the viewer-performer pact, about art world versus performing arts world mores. On paper “Panorama” might add up. In practice? It was sloppy, lightweight, humdrum. I wish I’d stayed outside with the Shaolin guys.

“Panorama” runs through Saturday at Danspace Project, 131 East 10th Street, East Village; (866) 811-4111, danspaceproject.org.

Stay outside with the Shaolin guys or easing between two naked performers, seven minutes of naked noodling on the floor and an also-brief chorus line of engaging topless dancers. Tough choice...

[GeneChing]

Cover story: 'Keeper of Fury' kicks off tonight at Cabaret
By KYRA GOTTESMAN - The Buzz
Posted: 04/08/2010 12:00:00 AM PDT

CHICO -- "Keeper of Fury: A Martial Arts Epic" premieres tonight at Chico Cabaret.

Written by local community theater veterans Conan Duch, who also directs the production, and Daniel Penner Cline, "Keeper of Fury" is an original script loosely based on a story by Bruce Lee and James Coburn called "The Silent Flute."

"Keeper of Fury" follows protagonist Korde, and his Id, "Drok," who only the audience can see, as he embarks on a journey through a post-apocalyptic world populated with strange creatures and fraught with danger.

"The story follows the basic hero quest archetype with a few twists. Being that 'Keeper' is in a post-apocalyptic setting, there are a few things one can expect to see: tire armor, a blend of futuristic and pastoral society, mutated monkey people -- called 'fowlers' -- and gypsies -- we call them 'gyptians,'" Conan said. "While this is not a musical, it does have some strong musical elements -- it is an epic after all, and what's an epic without a sweeping soundtrack? -- that help bring the audience into the world the cast and I have created."

Duch, a self-admitted Kung Fu movie fan, wrote "Keeper of Fury," his first foray into script writing, last April with the goal of bringing all the action of his favorite genre of film to the stage.

In June, he met Cline, a script writer and martial arts practitioner, who read the script and together the two revised and fine tuned the product. The pair took the script to Chico Cabaret and the theater company agreed to mount the production.

"I was very excited. I am very excited," Duch said.

With a cast of 27, featuring some of the most noted local character actors, including Sean Green, Granison Crawford, Jessica Smith, Nick Anderson and Richard Cross, "Keeper," says Duch, is an "electrifying adventure of epic proportions."

The production includes no less than 17 martial arts fights, choreographed by Cline and David Robles of Chuck Epperson Dojo as well as some belly dancing, choreographed by Jenn Ward.

"There's a little bit of everything -- action, drama, poignancy and comedy. I truly believe that no one has ever seen anything like this on stage before," said Duch, who is also the production's costumer. "It's really a story about harmonizing the light and dark side of ourselves, using all parts to make ourselves better. The Buddhist term for it is 'walking the middle path' and that about sums it all up.

"Keeper of Fury" contains some swearing, violence and sexual content so it is recommended for mature audiences only.

The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, through April 24, at the Chico Cabaret, 2201 Pillsbury Road. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $16 in advance or $18 at the door. Senior and student tickets cost $10 on Thursdays. Advanced reserved tickets cost $20 at 895-0245 or at www.chicocabaret.com.

As long as there's belly dancing...

[GeneChing]

Anyone here from Macalester College?

Martial arts show combines fighting, Shakespeare and bros
By: Daniel Kerwin, Editor In Chief
Issue date: 4/16/10 Section: The Arts

When going through dress rehearsals before a stage production, you wouldn't necessarily expect the success of the rehearsal to be determined by the amount of blood that was shed. But the Macalester Martial Arts Club's martial arts show isn't your average stage production.

"We've gotten through two dress rehearsals so far with only a minimal amount of blood," said Zach Lazar '10, who has been with the club since 2006.

Club president Devon Kristiansen '12 has already lost blood in the pursuit of putting on this year's show. Her arms show the cuts and bruises she has received rehearsing the fight. She has been practicing for the show since February.

You will be able to see the fruit of her work tonight at 10 p.m. on the MGO Stage in the campus center. Although the show is intended to include as much comedy as it does martial arts, Kristiansen's fight with Marius Johansen '13 will be one of the most physical sequences in the show.

The annual martial arts show is the crown jewel of the Macalester Martial Arts Club (MMAC) and is performed every spring with only a single showing.

Commenting on the nature of the show, Lazar said "It's like a musical comedy, only instead of breaking into song we break into fighting each other."

Each year the club writes a new comedic script to base the show around, with this year's theme a take off Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. There is no one title for the show, and as per tradition the posters for the show on campus feature three alternate titles for it. The story line is set in sunny St. Paul and revolves around a rivalry between two families; the Scots, a family of hipsters, and the Tommies, a family of bros.

"I like to think of [the show] as balancing out the political correctness for Macalester for the rest of the year," Kristiansen said.

The show is narrated once again by Kevin Williams '09, creating an effect that makes the show feel similar to a vintage dubbed martial arts film. The plot was described by Kristiansen as being "more of a cohesive, recognizable plot" than past years, and the costumes will be more regulated than past years along the hipster and bro theme; in past years cast members dressed however they pleased without regard to their particular role in the show.

"It helps people remember who's on what side," said Kristiansen in regard to this year's coordinated costuming.

The show incorporates many different styles of martial arts, including Muay Thai, Capoeira, Brazilian jiujitsu, Tae Kwon Do and even Drunken Boxing (which is apparently a distinct martial arts style). There are also a variety of weapons used in the performance, though their use is toned down to minimize the risk of injury during the performance.

This year's show will present a lot of fresh talent that is in the club. Last year 12 of the of the club's 18 members were seniors, but a large freshman class this year has provided a necessary boost after losing so many of the club's former members.

"From the time I joined the club it was dominated by the class of 2009… fortunately the large freshman class has provided ample new talent and we've been able to keep our numbers high," Lazar said.

Some of the current freshmen became interested in the club after seeing the show during a prospective student sampler last spring, and this year's show is also during a sampler weekend.

Besides putting on the show, the Macalester Martial Arts Club (MMAC) hosts classes in six different styles of martial arts. Five of the classes are student taught, but the Wednesday night karate class is taught by professional instructors. Classes are held both in the Leonard Center and 10K. Part of the purpose of the show is to raise the visibility of the club on campus. Anyone who likes what they see and wants to try it out is encouraged to contact Kristiansen to learn more about the club.

"We're always looking for new members any time of the year," Kristiansen said.

So whether you're a fan of martial arts or simply just comedy, or just are excited by the possibility of seeing blood, don't miss the chance to see the martial arts show tonight.

[GeneChing]

Hidden dragon
* Ashleigh Wilson
* From: The Australian
* August 14, 2010 12:00AM

THERE'S a chill in the air. Everyone can feel it. It's always cool at this time of year at CarriageWorks, the contemporary arts space in inner Sydney, and this cavernous room isn't bucking the trend.

The crew is watching Wang Fei, the petite acrobatic rocket in the centre of the room, who slashes her sword and leaps in the air and slashes the sword again. There's movement all around as others kick, spin, cartwheel and slide in a dizzy combination of dance and physical combat.

Considering what's at stake, the long morning warm-ups are important. "If Wang Fei pulls a muscle," says director Rachael Swain, "she can't be replaced."

Wang looks relaxed. These sessions have been intense, but it seems they're nothing she can't handle. At 23 she's already a martial arts veteran, having competed at elite levels of a discipline called wushu for more than a decade and developed an expertise in tai chi, which she practises twice daily. These skills are now being directed towards an acting career in television and film and whatever else comes up, such as this demanding hybrid performance taking shape around her.

Not that you'd know it from looking at her. Certainly pretty, charming and fit, but gentle, small and physically unimposing.

She smiles. "You look at them," she says of martial arts experts, "and they look skinny and small but actually they are very strong."

There was something about Wang, too, that appealed to Swain, the co-artistic director of Stalker Theatre Company, a physical theatre organisation based in Sydney. The casting process for her new production, Shanghai Lady Killer, took two years. Eventually she chose Wang to play the central role in the show, which will have its premiere at the Brisbane Festival in September. The show, commissioned by the Brisbane and Melbourne festivals, will be seen in Melbourne next year and also tour Europe.

For Wang, who has starred in a film produced by Jackie Chan, the show is an opportunity to develop her acting and expose her talents to a wider audience. For Swain, her presence brings an elusive intensity to the show.

"The reason I chose her was that she accesses power in her body in a way that's really different to Western physical performers," Swain says. "She has this amazing fluid power in the way she performs martial arts, but also a real passion."

Written by Australian filmmaker Tony Ayres, Shanghai Lady Killer is the first time the company has used martial arts as a central element in one of its productions. It seems almost inevitable for Swain, a former fencing champion who gave up the sport "cold turkey" before the Barcelona Olympics to apply herself to the performing arts. "I think I always had a bit of an unrequited sword-fighting epic waiting to come out."

Shanghai Lady Killer is a genre piece that draws on film noir and wuxia, a Chinese martial art fiction style as seen in the films Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The setting is Sydney in the near future: China has become the global superpower and an Australian detective is hired to track down a Chinese assassin targeting a Shanghai-born Australian mayor. But he falls in love with the assassin, forcing him to decide whether to bring her to justice. Meanwhile, the mayor's wife emerges as an influential force. "It's very much a piece about female power in multiple forms," Swain says.

Wang is one of two martial arts experts in the 13-member cast, and the only one brought in from China. The others include circus performers, dancers and actors.

Wang came to Swain's attention after she appeared in Wushu, a 2008 film produced by Chan and featuring Hong Kong action star Sammo Hung. The Mandarin-language film follows a group of wushu students who grew up together in a martial arts academy in China.

"The story of Wushu the movie, it's like my experience growing up," Wang says.

Born in Beijing, Wang started wushu training at the age of nine. She quickly developed a talent for it, leaving her family and friends to train full-time at a wushu academy two hours from home. She remained there for seven years, winning gold at a world wushu championship in Henan province, among other accolades.

"If you learn wushu, it's good for your body, your heart," says Wang, speaking through one of the performers, who has been brought aside to act as a translator.

It has also been helpful for her ambitions as an actor. Her first roles were supporting parts in Chinese television before she was cast in a starring role in the action film. She says she was drawn to Shanghai Lady Killer because it gave her a chance to try her hand at contemporary dance.

After the show she will return to Beijing to appear in a Chinese television series. From there, she would like to work on more films. She wants to "to try all different kinds of characters in movies", she says, "not just martial arts".

"I'm here to do this show, and while I'm doing it, I want to learn more English and let more Australian people know about Wang Fei," she says.

"After this one, maybe some director in Australia will want me back for an Australian film. But I will try my best for Australian audiences. Hopefully they'll like the show. Hopefully they'll like me."

Shanghai Lady Killer opens at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on September 23 as part of the Brisbane Festival, which opens on September 4.

We remember Wang Fei from Wushu.

[GeneChing]

If there can be Shaolin at the Circus, why not at Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey?

Kung Fu Kings

Audience members will think they are watching a Kung Fu movie when they see Sun Junjie and Qin Guojing in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® IlluscinationSM. These Kung Fu Kings use their minds over matter to twist solid steel rods around their bodies and only using his sense of hearing, Sun dives through hoops of razor-sharp swords blindfolded!

Both experts in the Far East discipline, the two began training at famous martial arts schools in China at a young age. With over 15 years of training the two were revered as the best martial arts performers in their school. While practicing at their school in Shan Dong, they caught the eye of current troupe leader Wu Hsiung who began performing the awe-inspiring act in 1976.

“I saw Sun and Qin perform and they had really good potential. They had won several awards so I took both of them to train them to be my protégé,” explains Wu.

From 2004 to 2009, Sun and Qin were under the tutelage of Master Wu learning how to mix their natural strength with their skills in martial arts so that the torch could be passed to them.

Making their debut with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, the two are excited to be able to share their extraordinary talents with Children Of All Ages. “We heard about the Ringling Bros. circus in China and how famous it is, so to be able to be a part of this brand new show is very honoring,” states Sun.

[GeneChing]

Are there any members from NZ here?

New show is fusion of martial art and theatre
CARLY TAWHIAO - Central Leader
Last updated 05:00 12/11/2010


AIR TIME: Xu Han (left) & Mitchell Kwan demonstrate a Kung Fu move

Willie Ying may make wushu look effortless, especially when he's attached to wires and pulleys, but it's something he does not take lightly.

"Wu means military and shu means skill. There are so many kinds of martial arts but this is the mother of them," he says.

The 35-year-old Mt Roskill resident is on a mission to share his passion for wushu by providing a free and entertaining one-off theatre show called China Genesis.

"We want people to know what is behind wushu and what they can do with it, by showcasing what we can do," he says.

"The story is based on the traditional Chinese philosophy yin and yang and involves wushu martial arts, stunts, drama and wire works. It physically expresses out how yin and yang formed at the beginning of the time in China.

"The most important goal is to entertain the audience in a different way. My other goal is to innovate a new look for the martial arts industry as well as the drama and acting industry in New Zealand," Mr Ying says.

"I love it. It's like art to me and I'm working hard to let people know about it. It's something I want to do for the rest of my life."

The producer and director has enlisted Xu Han and Mitchell Kwan from his wushu team, Dragon Origin, to be lead characters in the show.

Mr Han has been studying martial arts for more than half his life and is a graduate of Beijing Sports University.

"It's very good for your health and character," the 21-year-old says.

"It also helped to teach me the philosophy behind Chinese culture. I hope more people get to know about wushu and its culture."

The 18-year-old Mr Kwan perfects his weaponry skills in wushu when he is not studying at Auckland University.

"For me, it's more of an art form than a sport.

"I like its emphasis on acrobatics and the beautiful fluidity of movement," he says.

"This is the first of its kind. It's a fusion of martial arts theatre and storytelling so there will be something for everyone."

Dragon Origin will perform China Genesis this Sunday at the Freemans Bay Community Centre, 52 Hepburn St, Freemans Bay.

The two-hour show starts at 6.30pm.

Visit www.dragonorigin. co.nz or call 021-1069- 566 for more information.

[GeneChing]

Martial Arts and the Actor's Craft by Lewis Manalo

[GeneChing]

I wish there was some sample humor, so we could get a taste.

Comedian incorporates martial arts in sketch
Nate Robson The Citizen AuburnPub.com | Posted: Thursday, January 20, 2011 3:15 am


Comedian Dylan Brody will perform at APT this weekend.

What: Dylan Brody: “More Arts, Less Martial”
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23
Where: Auburn Public Theater, 108 Genesee St., Auburn.

Cost: $20; Tickets available at the door, at the boxoffice or online at www.auburnpublictheater.org

One man’s hodgepodge of martial arts, storytelling and comedy will be the basis of his one-man show at Auburn Public Theater titled “More Arts, Less Martial.”

Comedian and storyteller Dylan Brody will expose audience members to some of the concepts of martial arts while discussing how those concepts came into play during colorful incidents throughout his life.

Many of the stories and life experiences that Brody will share build off of each other, and include elements of comedy while also being somewhat insightful.

Brody’s story begins as a young, unathletic, bullied child looking to martial arts and examines how he applies life lessons learned through his studies and other experiences to some of the situations he encounters throughout life.

“As one becomes more advanced (in martial arts), it is expected that one will share their knowledge,” said Brody, who is a tae kwon do master in addition to a comedian and writer. “You can never study just for yourself. I feel I can bring the ideas (of martial arts) to a wider audience using my writing and storytelling abilities as opposed to opening my own studio.”

“Also, that means I would have to teach children, and I don’t like children,” Brody quipped.

Carey Eidel, the theater’s executive director, said Brody’s comedic background includes writing an Austin Powers Super Bowl ad and monologue for Jay Leno’s “The Tonight Show.” Brody has also shared the stage with comedians such as Adam Sandler, Jeff Foxworthy and Jerry Seinfeld.

But the appeal of Brody’s show is that it extends beyond the basic stand-up act, Eidel added.

“It’s like stand-up comedy, but with a little more depth,” Eidel said. “Not only is he entertaining, his writing is strong in that it makes us look at our lives and how we conquer adversity. He talks about being a better artist than martial artist.”

“Auburn Public Theater strives to bring quality entertainment to Auburn. We often try to think outside the box when trying to raise the bar, and this is one of those chances to see someone who you might not have heard of, but is at the top of their craft.”

Brody’s appearance in Auburn will mark the first time he has performed the show on the East Coast.

Brody’s first showing of “More Arts, Less Martial” occurred nearly three years ago at the Story Salon in Los Angeles.

Brody, who lived in eastern New York as a child, said he looks forward to returning to upstate New York.

“I missed the weather, I missed freezing my (butt) off.” Brody said. “I miss the smell of the east, the sound of snow crunching under my feet. I like fall too, so maybe I should have come back then. But any chance I get to come back to New England ... it’s nostalgia from my childhood world.”

[GeneChing]

This looks fun. Love the pics.

"Songjiang" martial art performed in Taiwan
English.news.cn 2011-03-04 10:04:31

Actors perform during a news conference of 'songjiang' martial art array, a kind of folk performance featuring the character of Chinese kungfu and traditional art, on a plaza in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan, March 3, 2011. The 'songjiang' martial art array activity, which is usually performed by 36 or 72 persons, has a history of more than 400 years. It originated in the coastal area of southeast China's Fujian Province. As an important festival activity of Taiwan, the folk performance will be held in Neimen of Kaohsiung of southeast China's Taiwan on March 12. (Xinhua)(mcg)

[GeneChing]

I was torn about posting this here or on the Bollywood thread.

Martial arts and meditation come to Indian theatre
Martial arts and meditation come to Indian theatre
2011-03-06 12:20:00

Chandigarh, March 6 (IANS) At first sight, martial arts and meditation may seem activities that are miles apart from theatre performances but an on-stage experiment by the department of Indian theatre at Panjab University here is trying to build on the commonality they share.

'People might find it surprising but if you know theatre, you understand the underlying similarities between the two,' department chairperson and noted theatre personality Neelam Mansingh Chowdhary told IANS.

Chowdhary, who has directed nearly 30 plays and was conferred a Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian theatre, said: 'Martial art teaches alertness, working with objects around, relationship with space, balancing, flexibility and risk taking ability. All these qualities are a must for a good theatre artist.'

At a workshop in the department, which has been the learning ground for leading actors like Anupam Kher, Poonam Dhillon, Kirron Kher, and Satish Kaushik, students learned Manipuri martial art 'Thang-ta' and Chinese meditation form 'Tai Chi' from S. Biswajit Singh, who has been into this art for over three decades, to better their performance.

During the 10-day workshop, students were taught sword and stick fighting, the art of defending themselves, the warrior dance, exercises for mental peace and stability and physical balancing.

On the unique combination of 'Thang-ta, Tai Chi and Theatre', Biswajit Singh said: 'The two traditional forms widen the possibilities physically and in the performance. It brings in more flexibility and energy and this, in turn, helps to polish the skills of an actor.'

The experience has left participants yearning for more.

Krishan Kumar, a final year student, said: 'We never thought we will get to learn such things. The experience was amazing. We could not imagine that being an actor, we will be taught such good fighting skills.'

Himanshu Dwivedi, a research scholar at the department, told IANS: 'Synchronization of three things is most important for an artist when he performs - body, voice and mind. A good performance is a result of the perfect management of these three and this is what Biswajit Singh's lessons instilled in us.'

The sessions were an 'experience of a lifetime' and these skills will make them 'even better performers', he said.

Indian theatre traces its origin back to about 5,000 years and now it has evolved into a full-fledged career option for students.

Giving a platform to learn all aspects of the subject, the theatre department at PU offers a masters degree. It has 24 students, all of whom participated in the event.

Students passing out from the department find jobs in acting, direction, production and other aspects of films, television and theatre.

[ghostexorcist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmlkm...layer_embedded

Wushu comps could learn from this.

I just now saw this on another website. I came over here to post it, but you beat me to it. I thought the mix of the movie screen and the actor was interesting.

[GeneChing]

It's a new play by Taiwanese stage director Wang Chia-ming. I posted it on our Bruce Lee Memorials thread here.

Cool post, Xiao3 Meng4.

[GeneChing]

I just heard from Dylan Brody (see More Arts, Less Martial). He is coming to San Francisco's Punchline on Tuesday Apr 12 (08:00 PM) with a show called "Contagious Calm". He tells me it's a slightly altered version of the same show.

[GeneChing]

Remember lite-up numbchuks?

Monday, June 20, 2011; Posted: 10:06 AM - by BWW News Desk

"ILLUMINATE: A Martial Arts Experience" a live show at the Capital Fringe Festival


About the show:
Conflict, enlightenment... and glowing weapons. See martial artists strike, dodge, jump, break, and battle in the dark with LED equipment. Enjoy live drumming, original music, and comedy. Witness a hero's walk from student to master.

Specific details:

Who: A group of black belts (and friends) who have trained together for over 20 years in Maryland. Four brothers in the group, as well as a firefighter, teacher, comic artist, and computer programmer. Cast: Brad Lust, Charles Shryock IV, John Shryock, Jamie Noguchi, Nick Oben, Michael Stahly, Zach Stahly

Where: Warehouse Theater • 645 New York Ave., NW • Washington, DC 20001 www.warehousetheater.com • 202-783-3933 • Located near intersection of 7th NW and K St NW., across from the Washington Convention Center. METRO: MT. VERNON SQ. (Green/Yellow Lines): 1 Block - walk south on 7th St. METRO: GALLERY PLACE - Chinatown Exit (Red/Green/Yellow Lines): 4 Blocks - walk north on 7th St.

When: Tuesday July 12 @ 6pm • Friday July 15 @ 8pm • Sunday July 17 @ 9:15pm • Saturday July 23 @ 4:15pm • Sunday July 24 @ Noon

Tickets: Tickets cost $17 and can be bought online at CapitalFringe.org or by calling 866-811- 4111.

About Capital Fringe:

Fringe Box Office and Headquarters: 607 NEW YORK AVE., NW, WDC 20001
Fringe Website and Email: CAPITALFRINGE.ORG INFO@CAPITALFRINGE.ORG 202.737.7230

Capital Fringe is a nonprofit organization founded in the summer of 2005 with the purpose of infusing energy into performing arts in the Washington, DC region through our yearly Fringe Festival and year-round Fringe Training Factory. Our mission is to connect exploratory artists with adventurous audiences by creating outlets and spaces for creative, cutting-edge, and contemporary performance in the District. Capital Fringe's vital programs ensure the growth and continued health of the local and regional performing arts community by helping artists become independent producers while stimulating the vibrant cultural landscape in our city.

Capital Fringe is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Corina Higginson Trust, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, Weissburg Foundation, Dreyfus Foundation, PEPCO Holdings, MARPAT, Washington Post Company, PNC Bank, WAMU as well as invaluable support from our Fringe Family of Donors.