CRISLETTER
#7
Hi there,
welcome to my seventh Crisletter, the place where I share monthly updates about my artistic journey.
April and the first few days of May have been good ones. Pleaser had its premiere during Circusstad, where I played it twice to a sold-out “The Kitchen” in Theater Rotterdam, and received its first review. Spending a few days at Circusstad also gave me the chance to dive deeper into the circus world, meet many interesting artists, see great shows and feel genuinely welcome by a community I am feeling more and more to part of.
Last week I performed a good chunk of Heavy Meta as a work in progress at Torpedo Theater, the smallest theater in Amsterdam.
And next month I'll finally bring my theater work to my home country: from June 2 to 6, I'll play Pleaser at FringeMI in Milan.
You can read more by scrolling down.
(Click here to read the first 6 Crisletters, in case you missed them.)
AGENDA
18 MAY
Comedy Special Showcase by Quips
and Bits Comedy, O-Casey, Den Haag
I'll be back to O’casey to test some 20min of material for Heavy Meta,
23 MAY
Open Your Mind, Experimental Dance Battle, during Urban Dans Dagen at Parktheater Eindhoven
I am very much looking forward to joining OYM, the place where my experimental dance journey started more than 10 years ago and the place where the international experimental community comes together every year.
INFO & TICKETS →
02-06 JUN
Pleaser, Nolo Factory during FringeMI, Milan
I am very curious to see how the Italian audience will receive it. I will be playing Pleaser 5 nights after each other. If you know anybody in Milan that can help me spread the news, please get in touch.
INFO & TICKETS →
ON MY RADAR
Upcoming shows I am interested in
7/05 » Rosas danst Rosas, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker / Rosas
“In 1983, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker had her international breakthrough with Rosas danst Rosas, a performance that has since become a benchmark in the history of postmodern dance.”
at Theater Rotterdam
12/05 » Amarte Wonderland
A selection of the projects will be showcased during the third edition of Amarte Wonderland on May 12. Go to experience the diverse artistic disciplines and creative visions that the Amarte Fund has supported in recent years, ranging from visual arts, theater, and performance to music, literature, and interdisciplinary projects.
at Club Raum
Amsterdam
28/05 » Sexodus (Premiere) by Naomi Velissariou
“In SEXODUS, we see an actress on the threshold of her fortieth year. She knows: if she wants to keep going in the Western world, she has to keep looking like she is twenty-four until she is sixty. So she tries to adapt. Again. And again.”
at Theater Rotterdam
during O festival
22/05 till 24/05 » Urban Dans Dagen Festival
Urban Dansdagen is returning to Parktheater Eindhoven. The theater will be dedicated to hip-hop, battles, workshops, and performances for three days. Dancers, creators, and enthusiasts from the community will come together for a festival brimming with energy, talent, and culture.
Eindhoven
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Workshops, coaching, and learning moments I’ll join in May.
16 May
Clown and Physical comedy Workshop by Lil Wenker
A fun and insightful workshop on clowning and character work by an award-winning London based clown, actor and writer. If you want to join let me know and I will put you in contact with the organizer.
Floor acrobatics, Codarts Circus, Rotterdam
I'll keep giving Floor Acrobatics classes to the Codarts Circus students.
Productions and Location
Theater workshop by Amsterdam Fringe Festival
I'll get together with the Amsterdam Fringe Festival group of makers for a day dedicated to location theater.
PAST MONTH
Shows/spots I was in
Pleaser (test performance)
16/04 at my studio, Rotterdam
I did a run through in my studio for a very cool group of people. Thanks again to everyone who showed up!
Heavy Meta extract/
work-in progress, De Mus
29/04 at Torpedo Theater, Amsterdam
I did some 25 min of material from Heavy Meta in this cute little theater in Amsterdam, it was a great night and it was very cool to perform alongside singer and poet Anna Syliva and the Gypsy jazz trio Mokum Manouche.
Pleaser (Premiere), Circussstad
2/05 at Theater Rotterdam
I played twice, once as part of the Circusstad showcase for professionals and programmers, once open to the public. The review in TheaterKrant titled it "Meer dan een danssolo, meer dan een clownsact", you can read it below.
READ REVIEW→
Shows I watched
3/05
at Circusstad, Rotterdam
Tricolous
Whether it’s breakdancing, beatboxing, or aerial straps; singing, making music, or hand-to-hand; pole acrobatics or slapstick, the guys from Berlin have it all down. This striking combination results in a show that rocks, moves you, and bursts with infectious humor and the joy of performing.
2/05
at Circusstad, Rotterdam
Late night at the Opticum by Harvey Cobb, Daredevil Chicken & special guests
A hilarious evening with many different comedic flavours, extroverted characters, absurdist magic, physical and standup comedy, burlesque, puppetry, banana juggling, trapeze, and a very special guest act. A lot to take in, all of it fun.
1/05
at Circusstad, Rotterdam
Vrij! by Goos Elena
“Two comical characters relive the same short film of their daily lives over and over again, trapped within the screen. Outside that world, two musicians perform the soundtrack and provide live sound effects for every silent gesture. When the film characters realize they are stuck in an endless loop, they begin to search for a way out. This leads to a joyful and surprising journey of discovery toward new connections and toward freedom. ”
1/05
at Circusstad, Rotterdam
Lumen by Leire Froufe
A solo performance that combines Chinese pole with real-time interactive projections. Lumen emerged from Leire Froufe’s personal experience in Palestine, where she witnessed the consequences of occupation and the global silence surrounding it. In this performance, Leire explores mourning as a collective and political process.
1/05
at Circusstad, Rotterdam
Droplines by Tall Tales Company
Three top jugglers reveal something you don't normally see: the failures behind their success. In a series of choreographies filled with hypnotic juggling patterns, their failures take center stage. Juggling balls transform into powerful metaphors about how we cope with pressure, missteps, and the gaze of others. Droplines is an intimate and unexpected celebration of imperfection and an ode to the failing human.
Past Sessions
Workshops, coaching, and learning moments I joined on April.
23 April » Dance-comedy workshop, my studio, Rotterdam
Together with a fun group of people, we explored how to use everyday gestures in a comedic way, how to integrate them in our movement style and build short performances.
2 May » Panel Discussion, Take Care conference during Circusstad
I took part of a panel discussion with Frédérique Lessard, Alice Davies & Laura Murphy, and moderated by Valentina Barone during Take Care is the first-ever EU project dedicated to supporting mental health and well-being in the circus arts sector.
Closing words
Thanks for reading, skimming, and scrolling until here.
Till the next Crisletter!
(short for Cristian and Cris)