In 2007, Rah Rah Productions began a performing arts project for young people living with a disability. Now in its 5th year, ArtStable has evolved and developed into a year-long workshop based program, facilitated and co-ordinated by Kimberly Grigg and Adam Pierzchalski of Rah Rah Productions (with immense support from the City of Kingston).
The group made puppets, created characters, objects and were able to work on scores for sequential puppetry scenes. Cesario explained that the ensemble found the use of puppetry was not only enjoyable but aided them in telling various stories or exposing meanings to more challenging ideas. It also gave them a second reality where anything could take place. After a rigorous script process, researching everything from Shaun Tan books & other picture books to a Japanese survival guide to loss and survival (which recognized various stages in grief particular to catastrophic loss) to music and imagery, to collecting newspaper clippings, creating walls of loss, tales of survival and reading children’s stories that dealt with relationships, friendships and overcoming loss or tragedy. “They workshopped ideas of community, support, how to make broken things function again and so on. Red Balloon is haunting, beautiful and moving, and explores themes of dealing with loss and tragedy in a unique way”, said Cesario. “The ArtStable project pushes the boundaries of theatre for people living with a disability by enabling actors to create and perform the whole work themselves and celebrates the difference in ‘on stage’ performance, openly allowing and accepting expression at any given moment. Red Balloon does not include other ‘professional actors’ to gel scenes or smooth out the edges (apart from some puppetry assistance backstage) but rather actively supports the creations of participants and their interpretation of thought and feeling caught in a sudden moment, celebrating chance and happening.” Red Balloon gives voice to those who are not always heard but are affected by the world around us.
Cesario says she hopes that this other communities across Australia will be able to benefit from Rah Rah Production’s wonderful initiative. “With funding and support from venues, this program could absolutely be adapted and presented across Australia”, she said. Red Balloon is playing for 3 performances only at the Kingston Arts Centre, Moorabin Friday 9 December 6pm Thursday 15 December 2pmFriday 16 December 2pm Bookings: www.kingstonarts.com.au
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