How does CCdd Connect With Communities?

“...theatre can...be a weapon for liberation.” – Augusto Boal.

Anyone wonder how we work with our communities?  We use the 'CRAFT' conceptual map that stands for the five parts needed to develop any Community-Based Project, and maintain retention in the project.  “CRAFT” stands for:

CONTACT – Cultivating initial trust with a group, one-on-one introductions and discussions, transparency in practices, setting up reasonable time commitments, and determining a goal for the time put into the project. 

RESEARCH – The time to accumulate as much information as possible on the group we are working with.  And deciding on what the best resources are that I have to develop work with them.  (Lesson planning, interview questions, acting and writing exercises are decided upon after the CONTACT phase).

ACTION – Teach Workshops, and develop a new work of art that benefits the community we are working with based on our discussions and our research. 

FEEDBACK -  Create a dialogue during the workshop between organizing artists, and members of the community on the product we are creating and how best to spread the impact of the production. 

TEACHING- Through performance, talkbacks, and interactive activities, allow the product to inform audiences of the world they are emerging themselves into.  

Now go create your own Community-Based Project!!

Technical Director Patrick Kelly Brags about CCdd!

That's Patrick in the middle, serving up the handsome. Photo by Rich Soublet

Hi everybody,

Summer has hit us and Circle Circle dot dot never sleeps!   After Deconstruction of a Drag Queen company members found themselves instantly whisked throughout San Diego stages to continue their artistic endeavors whilest we are planning our post-summer projects.  So we wanted to share with you an update on the great work they are doing.

*Wonderful company member Sam Ginn is off playing a hilarious Anita Bryant in Moxie Theatre’s fabulous production of Coming Attractions which closes this week and should not be missed so go get your tickets.  She will also be featured at New Village Arts later this summer!  Go Sam!  

*Shaun Tuazon stepped out of his heels for Sunny Peaks and directly into the stunning heels of Angel in San Diego Musical Theaters critically acclaimed production of Rent.  It's playing at the Birch North Park Theater through July 8th, and it is sure to blow you away!

*Evan Kendig is showing his stencil art at the  Stage "HANDS": A Gallery Art Showing.  This show also features pieces from our good friends Kristen Flores (Set Designer for Ragnarok) and Kevin Liddel (Lighting Designer for Ragnarok) and will be up in the lobby the the Lyceum Theater through July 9th.  Go see the beautiful art made by the technical side of San Diego's community . 

*Artistic Director Katherine Harroff handles social marketing, Technical Director Patrick Kelly Assistant Directs and Company Member Justin Warren Martin takes the stage as The Barber/Cardinal/prisoner/horse for Cygnet Theatre's Production of Man of La Mancha.  This beautifully staged, designed, and acted piece gives new life to a timeless classic.  The show begins previews on July 5^th.

*You can also check out Soroya Rowley's awesome band The Cypress Project playing at local venues throughout the summer.  Next up- The Tin Can Ale House on July 7th! Check out their facebook page to stay connected HERE.

We are so proud to see our friends and colleagues branching out to work with such great companies and we are proud to say that we are deep into work on our next few projects.  So make sure you make it out to see these shows and support your local theater makers! 

-Patrick Kelly

CCdd Undercover!

We are in the process of finding and interviewing the artists for our Street-Art Play!  As mentioned before, we are working with the fabulous Michael Mahaffey, and now we can officially announce that we will be interviewing and working with the incredible artists Saratoga Sake, and Gloria Muriel (Glow)!  Make sure you click on all of those links and check out their amazing work!  

Last night we had the absolute honor to go check out Gloria Muriel's curated art opening at Counterpoint in Golden Hill!  We feel so fortunate to be able to emerge ourselves in the different worlds of our subjects, and we truely had a blast!  Here are some pictures from the night:  

Check out Counterpoint, it rocks!!

The fabulous Delia Knight will be interviewing Gloria Muriel for our upcoming production! Check out Glow's art!

There is our woman! Gloria and her big night!

Company member Soroya Rowley will be playing Gloria in the production!

We love our work!  Stay tuned for more information on this, and all our incredible projects for our second season!  

First Anti-Bullying Assembly Workshop

Last Sunday CCdd met up with a couple of actors, and an awesome LifePlay Teaching Artist named Marina (featured in our video below)- to take our first stab at coming up with the Anti-Bulling Assemblies we are helping LifePlay Productions with.  There are so many different types of bullying that can come from so many different places.  We have our work cut out for us!  

On this particular day, we found ourselves talking a lot about the bullying "pack".  When a group of kids get together, sometimes they find camaraderie in picking on outsiders.  

The video is of an improvisation we set up for a gal (Marina) in High School, getting preyed upon by a "cool" group of kids.  We asked Marina to use her resources to NOT be affected by the taunting and abrasive behavior from the pack.  Her response, deflection, and general lack of care for the group's bullying behavior towards her is an attitude we hope to teach to kids in similar situations.  

Day one was exciting.  This weekend we are welcoming the group to bring their own sketch ideas to the table.  Eventually we will have scripts, casts, and a lot more!  We are excited about this project and hope that our work can make a difference in school life.  

More soon!

Late Blog! Busy Circle folks!

Hi Friends! 

Circle is late at updating their blog this week because we are busy beavers!  We promise our next blog will be a bit more action-packed as some of our upcoming projects are starting tomorrow!  For those of you that check weekly- thanks!  And, we promise there will be more soon.  We're just taking in some air and enjoying a couple of dormant days off before we spring into work! 

This year is going to be amazing!