From our lively discussion Tuesday–the following was decided.
The purpose of the community based performance project is
share the voices of the many voices of /in Ypsilanti.
Through this sharing we may address issues of pride, division, isolation, honor, displacement,etc.
This piece will be both a project of affirmation and education and awareness. In a city divided, I think that such is evident, sharing the voices of many to many will both affirm and enlighten our community audience.
Given the purpose-go back through the prior postings, your own notes and begin to make connections –what are some of the voices of the many voices whose story we should/could tell?
Start thinking in metaphors/visuals…
Post any additional comments of the first day collaboration between CTT and the university students—
First of all, I was so impressed by the young people that are involved with the project! Not only by their ability to create, share, and collaborate, but how such a group of individuals have bonded! I look forward to working with them.
I know we agreed to forget about the physical center of Ypsilanti, but could that be a useful metaphor? I like the idea(s) of pride-yet division…perhaps another reason why I think the actors will be so great…they all seem to be from such different experiences, yet all share this common goal.
Hey there~
I just want to thank everyone for their great energy with the CrossTown members in class last Tuesday. They were on such a high after MLK day, and it just continued in class. Thanks!
I like what Gina said about pride in the diversity of voices. I think it owns what Ypsi is.
Thanks again~
[One silly side note before I begin this post. There is a character in Avenue Q who searches for his purpose. There is a big number called PURPOSE. So that song was in my head every time I heard the word ‘purpose.’ Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mATf3SAqj30 if you want to hear the song.]
It is rare to take a class or form a group and decide what your purpose will be. The purpose of your group or class is often foreordained. Honestly I didn’t think that we would be able to articulate such a clear purpose in such a short period of time.
Our purpose as stated is rather complete. It is general enough to include the many but specific enough to give us focus as we enter and interact with the community.
CTT is great. There was a natural fit with the adults and the youth. I enjoyed hearing there ideas and seeing them express their hopes. They are quite the family. Sometimes when you collaborate with youth they bring ideas to the table that adults would never imagine. Mostly because, as many in our field have noted, adults often loose their ability to play. When you work with a group like this you think maybe there is hope for the future and this isn’t a generation loss as reported so often in the media.
It was great to work with the CTT and everyone involved. It feels like a great group- everyone seems excited to work together and create something for the community!
I agree- the pride and diversity of voices peeked my interest as well. I’m looking forward to going out into the community!
(side note- the pics on this web page are very cool. Thanks!)
I think we are at the begining of a very fun, exciting and very complex project. I keep thinking about making some kind of list or chart of where we will start the story we are telling. will it start within us as a group, with crosstown, or someone we have yet to meet. I would like to ask the younger members of our collaboration who and where we should start our collection of voices.
Great post Donald! And D- I (for once) like the idea of a chart of some sort-I am having a wee bit of trouble decided what we have seen/done will serve as the purpose aka focus aka theme of the project and what will serve to support that purpose/focus/theme. Perhaps that is why I am stuck on this “center of Ypsi” idea-because I can’t stop looking for it!
“Ypsi was close”
When I talked to CTT members last week, I felt Ypsi was close to me.
At that time, center of Ypsi was not issue anymore.
How many people live in Ypsi was not important.
The most important thing was “I was with them, and they could be friend with me”
Stranger feeling inside of me when I saw a Korean boy in the class.
As I mentioned, I did not see any American region as my land.
But I met another Korean, who flew from the land of Korean to this land.
(To meet me? To confirm “Yo, we are Ypsi people”? To say “You are not alone”?)
Right now, meaning of Ypsi is expanded more.
It is not just a city in the US, but can be one of the centers of the world.
Ypsi can be a city where everyone in the world is welcomed and to stay.
Am I still welcomed?
It was so great to meet with the CTT group last week. It really refreshed the whole thing for me — it was starting to feel like we were talking the subject to death a bit and going around in circles with topics and then bam! they got there and everything was so refreshed and felt so much more… purposeful. I’m so excited to see what kind of work we come up with together, and after last week’s mini-presentations with the students I have absolutely no reservations that we will be able to come up with something fantastic together with such a talented (and aware!) group of youth.
I still see the image of empty chairs…
hi,
um i couldnt find the picturs for the preformans on MLK day ?? were r they ??
Voices fill the empty chairs:
Possibilities:
Youth voice (Elementary, Secondary, & Drop-out?)
Elderly Voice
Homeless Voice
Family of Immigrants Voice (Generational?)
Voices from an Ethnic/Racial perspective
GLBT Voice
University Student’s/Professor’s Voice
Business Owner’s Voice
A Crime Victim’s Voice?
Mayor/Politician’s Voice
The Transit Authority’s Voice
Chorus: “Voice of the People”?
Voices from those seeking active change in Ypsi.
More??