This project began nearly three years ago, at a time when I chose to acknowledge an honest struggle in finding my voice. Not only in art, but more importantly throughout my space in this world. I certainly have no shortage of perspective. I tend to be a highly critical and opinionated person. A characteristic which I found highly motivating in refining how I represented myself. Which I felt I had done rather well, to a certain expectation. However, that expectation wasn’t of my own definition. It belonged to others.
The work I am sharing with you this evening is the contrary of that expectation. This confrontation of self and the challenge of vulnerability is much of what clown is founded upon. The idea of reflecting on our culture and society while taking claim to how we exist within it. We have devised a very clear structure of being, while simultaneously stumbling over every hurdle we’ve placed ahead of ourselves. Finding solutions in the acceptance of this duality, is precisely where my clown resides. A place I have deeply struggled with inhabiting at times.
Don’t be fooled, you will be delighted to learn that I am still very far from finding my voice. I’m barely speaking in gibberish at this point but be assured that I am telling my story in all honesty. It’s not necessarily important that you understand it. The logic is completely askew. It’s only important that you make a similar effort, in your own way. I assure you it won’t be as ridiculous as mine.
The above image was captured by Pangtography by using antique tintype exposure.
Opening Act: Alisha Hanlin
I am honored to be sharing the stage once again with Alisha this evening. I will never forget the first time I heard her play. Until that moment, I had yet to hear a voice that so deeply resonated with me. It was as if the soundrack of my most vivid imagination suddenly existed in this time & place. Her performing this evening creates a rich history in my work. Opening for my first ever solo production and now setting an honest and vulnerable stage for our shared experience this evening.
Please continue to support the varied gifts she offers our community. Stay in the know via the link below.
Director: Mara Neimanis
of the most influential collaborators in my life; as a friend, mentor, clown, and aerialist. Mara has been instrumental in supporting this work. Her intuition and direction has gracefully composed the essence of both my character and this narrative. A refinement which clarifies the origin of my clown, giving way to a broader understanding of where he thrives.
A significant portion of the creative process behind this work was to start acknowledging where I fit within myself, as well as where that self fits among our given place. In doing so this work, with Mara’s direction, truly demanded I ask what size and volume of space I am capable of inhabiting (as an artist and as an individual). It is a very curious task to reflect on. Examining how you occupy the space that surrounds you. The simple guidance to inhabit a greater volume of myself (& to take a breath) truly shaped the definition of this show.
The world of theater and aerial performance are deeply indebted to Mara’s substantial contribution. Her influence on how we experience theater art is significant and well recognized. She has managed to fill every nook of the space surrounding her with compassion, understanding, instinct, and artistry. You will be amazed at how gracefully she takes flight. Her work is an invitation to explore that very space with such curiosity that it shapes not only who you are, but furthermore the potential of your place in it’s existence.
Creative Direction: Hapi Phace
A man with more creative history than most people any of us know. It is such an honor to share companionship with this extraordinary man. In only the past five years our confluence of synergy and passion for performance has had an enormous influence on my character development. Both as a clown and as a person. Such a rich history on the stage has made him one of the strongest guiding hands of my career. My name Funi Phace was obviously given by him and places me among a family of artists I’ve always admired.
Hapi is to be applauded for nurturing the first two years of this project especially. The conceptual development and character perspective were evoked by our many conversations around; art, culture, society , and the importance of clown.
He has a very specific way of being so close and mindful alongside my journey, even if at a great distance. I couldn’t be more grateful for the gift of his presence in my creative and personal life. I am honored to be a part of his lineage and very excited to share a glimpse of his brilliance, tucked in every corner fo this performance.
Production Residency
Mark Schiavone & John Restraino
The Sycamore House is the foundation of which this production has been developed, as well as being offered. Not only does this property occupy an expansive landscape in my heart, it embodies an essence of home that often feels surreal. So surreal I can’t quite comprehend the amount of grace and harmony it continuously offers. The property is one thing in itself. John & Mark, who have nurtured this place into existence, are significant contributors to my creative process. Their continued support and friendship has given root to much of my current work. Having a resident space to rehearse my aerial work for several years is truly a generous offer. Furthermore, a recent two week residency on the property was the final stitch that mended this frayed narrative into one cohesive story. After three years of creative development there still was one missing factor that couldn’t quite surface in the work. During this residency I discovered exactly what that factor was. It turned out to be my own acceptance and confidence of where and how I fit into the landscape surrounding me. Suggesting the concept that isolation, despite it’s perceived loneliness, allows one to occupy a greater space, uninterrupted. Continuing to occupy this awareness of size and space in self (& art) will inevitably persist in my work. Which will be something I cherish and look forward to as this show continues to mature with more audiences.