CHALK, CHAIR & BROOMSTICK
small theater, big ideas
Chalk, Chair & Broomstick makes new works of theater which rely on skillful storytelling and the engaged, collective imaginations of artists and attendees, unencumbered by heavy production values and divided fiscal loyalties. C,C & B's current and ongoing project is
The Gorgeousity.
The Gorgeousity exists to directley and joyfully mend our torn society by engaging grown-ups in the magic of collaborative theater-making and play. We believe that better, brighter worlds are waiting to exist in the shared space of our collective imagination.
The Gorgeousity was created by Karen Getz and Dawn Falato. As ensemble-based theater creators, we have experienced the magical transformation which turns strangers into an ensemble of hopeful playmates. We know that the collaborative process can reset stubborn thought patterns, generate solutions to seemingly intractable problems, take us in surprising, previously unimagined directions and tap into the generous wellsprings of creative inspiration which exists only when two or more minds are engaged in a shared endeavor. We wanted adults who do not identify as "artists" to experience this magic. We also wanted to gift attendees some bite-sized performances of our own making , make sure the experience felt like a well-crafted party and never like a workshop, and nurture and support the future growth of connections made within
The Gorgeousity experience. We've spent five years crafting, showing, running, re-working and honing the project.
When you enter the room, your guides (Karen and Dawn) greet you and take you to a table covered in art making materials. You are introduced to others and encouraged to color and relax as you meet new folks.
After 8-10 minutes your guides "call" and transform intoTerpsichore and Aoede, the ancient Greek muses of Dance and Song .
Under the unpressured and playful guidance of these two muses, the audience experiences an epic journey towards an island of their making upon the vast sea of their collective imaginations.
There is singing and dancing, guided play and a walking meta meditation disguised as a surfer-god's ritual.
Without lecture or direct mention,
The Gorgeousity creates the empirical experience of shared humanity and the possibilities of what we can accomplish together within an hour and a half play-group for grown ups.