We're punching a hole through the wall that is 2009 and rolling around in the precious goods on the other side of that wall, and those precious goods are, indeed, the glories of 2010.
Remember the zine? Those crude, handmade, paper publications with sketchy, jagged, mostly black and white hand-drawn artwork on the cover, over stacked on the back-of-the-store bookshelves of independent bookstores?
Truth is: neither do I.
BUT, I'm getting more into it. And I like what I see. Tim and I had a great talk with a really smart and cool gal over at Quimby's Bookstore, in Wicker Park, where they still have a zine shelf. Go buy their stuff.
What I'm getting at: every year for the "Best of"weeks, the Neos try to have a zine which they allow you to purchase. This zine includes the best plays of that year, assembled in an exciting, tangible, paper form. It's a nice souvenir to cap off your Too Much Light experience of the past 12 months.
This year, we're trying something new with this idea. We're going to assemble plays and notes on plays, napkins and coasters with plays on them; we're digging through our closets for receipts and love letters and parking tickets-- anything that got our brains writing plays this year-- and we're going to smash it all together, awesomely, and give it to you (the audience) in a digital format, for FREE. It won't just be "the Best of the Year" zine. It will be "THE YEAR" zine.
More on this in 2010, when we are closer to actually having the thing made. I just want you all getting excited about all things zine, for the time being.
Here are the plays we will do this weekend, written and performed by Phil, Tim, Genevra, John, Kurt, Megan, Greg, Ryan, Jessica, and Caitlin:
Good, then. Hey, another thing: comment on this blog about things that you remember from this year, regarding the Neo-Futurists. We will review your comments, and our favorites will be published within the Best of 2009 digital zine. Tell us your stories. Shock and surprise us. Make us smile. Thanks.
NEO CLASS OFFERINGS WINTER 2010
A VERY NEO-FUTURIST ADAPTATION
INSTRUCTORS: CHLOE JOHNSTON AND RACHEL CLAFF
WEDNESDAYS 7-10PM
JAN. 6 – FEB. 24
8 WEEKS
Do you have an idea? How about using someone else's? In this class, we'll learn how to use the Neo-Futurist aesthetic to adapt works of fiction, non-fiction, and everything in between, for the stage. The Neos have a long history of exploring existent texts and works of art through performance in prime time shows like "A Very Neo-Futurist Christmas Carol," "Mr. Fluxus," "Windmilled: Tilting at Don Quixote." Participants will be expected to come to the first class with a topic or work of literature in mind. We encourage writers who are interested in creating their own, full-length work.
NEO-FUTURIST PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
INSTRUCTORS: JOHN PIERSON AND BILAL DARDAI
SATURDAYS 1-4PM
JAN. 9 – FEB. 27
8 WEEKS
Over the course of eight three-hour classes we will explore the basic theory and practice of Neo-Futurism - a new form of personal, immediate, non-illusory, audience-interactive performance. You will be introduced to classic Neo-Futurist exercises in task-based action, collage, self-expression, and absolute truth on stage. The class will also be given bi-weekly assignments to bring in original pieces exploring autobiography, audience participation, and site-specific staging. By the end of the workshop, you will emerge with a new handle on how to create an artistic response to your life and your immediate surroundings. There is no need to have acting experience, just the boldness and creativity to stand up and express yourself. All are welcome!
INTRO TO TOO MUCH LIGHT: Writing and Performing the Two-Minute Play
INSTRUCTORS: BILAL DARDAI AND GENEVRA GALLO-BAYIATES
SUNDAYS 2-5PM
JAN. 10 – FEB. 28
8 WEEKS
Ever wonder how Neo-Futurists create plays for Too Much Light? This workshop will explore the process and tools needed to create a 2-minute play in the Too Much Light style. We will examine specific play formulas and styles that recur on our stage. Students will write from their own life experiences and then examine staging techniques that will equip their scripts with mind-blowing, low-budget, renegade-theatrics. This class will mimic the actual weekly process of the show Too Much Light, focusing on our techniques for generating ideas and showing you how to write, stage and perform your own scripts. The class culminates in a student-written performance of 20 plays in 40 minutes in our theater - with a live audience and everything! No experience necessary.
All classes are $250.
All classes will meet at the Neo-Futurarium 5153 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60640
Class size is limited to 15 on a first-come first-serve registration.
To register, go to www.neofuturists.org. There you can choose which class you'd like to take. You can pay online through our website or send a non-refundable registration check for half of the amount ($125) made out to "The Neo-Futurists" to The Neo-Futurarium at 5153 North Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, 60640. Full payment is due at the first class.
I want you to think of this as an all-star cast. And I want you to remember the holiday season. And now I want you to think of us as this:
, we'll also be teaching two other workshops...
