Page 67 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2018

Community-Building
at Walking Elephant Theatre Company
The radio broadcast will air on KRCB radio 91 on Sunday, August at 4pm. Because this show is by and for our community, KRCB has offered to share it with local media outlets, so any local radio stations wishing to re- broadcast this program, please contact Darren LaShelle at darren_lashelle@krcb.org.
Inspired by a documentary theater project for the Petaluma sesquicentennial, Brian Glenn Bryson founded Walking Elephant Theatre Company as an opportunity for social and ecological healing. Young people interview members of the community, and piece the conversations into compelling staged theater that is relevant to a local audience. The company encourages empathy, and discussion of challenging issues such as civil disobedience and addiction psychology.
“These rural enclaves each exhibit unique characteristics, yet share a proud sense of history, geography, and creative endeavor. By sharing stories, we learn about each other, and about ourselves. The communities highlighted in the Wonderland Radio Hour are connected by the Russian River and by the medium of radio”
Be part of the Wonderland Radio Hour Audience
By Nancy Dobbs, KRCB President and CEO
The community is invited to be present at the taping of the KRCB radio
series, Wonderland Radio Hour: Live From the Rio Theater, on July 28 at
11 am, featuring the enclave of Rio Nido. This series of community-produced, community-inspired programs showcase local musicians, artists, writers and characters from various areas of the Lower Russian River Area. Special guests include, Gaye LeBaron, the Slavyanka Russian Chorus and a walk down Rio Nido memory lane with Clare Harris.
The ongoing “Thicker Than Smoke” performances have included third
and eighth grade students, who interviewed victims of the wildfires, bringing their experiences to the stage in moving productions that helped raise funds for those affected. “Hearing each other’s stories awakens our compassion” Bryson explains. The company utilizes locations from traditional theaters
like 6th Street Playhouse to classrooms, homeless shelters and backyards, wherever they can make a difference. “Prop 8 Love Stories” has gone on to be published, and the cast traveled to New York for two weeks, performing at the 4th Street Theatre.
By Date
Jul 4, 11, 18, 25 ~ Improvisational Acting Workshop - Improve public speaking skills, overcome shyness, meet new friends, and laugh out loud! FREE, 6-7:30p, Call to Register, Gualala Arts Center, 46501 Old State Hwy, Coleman Hall, Gualala, 707-884-1138, gualalaarts. org
Thru Jul 8 ~ Illyria - A festive comedy of unrequited loves and mistaken identities. Illyria, land of fools - where clarity’s a rarity, and madness rules! $22-$38, 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W 6th St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-4185, 6thstreetplayhouse.com
Thru Jul 15 ~ The New Century - A provocative, outrageous comedy, featuring a collection of vivid and hilarious characters. Mt. Jackson Masonic Hall, 14040 Church St., Guerneville, 707-583-2343, John Rowan, pegasustheater.com, johnrowan14365@ gmail.com
Thru Jul 8 ~ Shrek - The Musical - Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek... $10-$35, Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg, 707-433-6335, raventheater. org, info@raventheater.org
Jul 6 - 22 ~ The Art is Medicine Show Rides Again - The Imaginists - Inspired in equal parts by Homer’s Odyssey, today’s headlines, tomorrow’s dreams and our own ten year journey of free bilingual bicycle-powered theater. $5, Go to website for times and locations. 707-528-7554, theimaginists.org
Jul 11 ~ Westside Stories - Everyone has a story. Come listen, or put your name in the hat to tell one yourself. $10, 7:30pWest Side Stories, 613 2nd St., Petaluma, 707- 477-4416, davepokornypresents.com/ west-side-stories
Jul 26 - Aug 11 ~ A Midsummer Nights Dream - Shakespeare’s most popular comedy is set in the 1980s - think Billy Idol meets Madonna meets George Michael! $10-$25, 7:30p, Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg, 707-433-6335, raventheater. org, info@raventheater.org
A fast-paced, interactive, outrageously funny, theatrical experience for heroes of all ages! Audience members provide the sound effects, become the scenery, suggest exciting plot twists. FREE, 11a - 12p, Guerneville Regional Library, 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville, 707-869-9004, sonomacounty.libcal.com/ event/4021851
Aug 2 - Aug 19 ~ I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change - The North Bay premiere of a brand new, updated version of the classic comic musical revue. Performed in an intimate cabaret style. $10-$35, Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg, 707-433-6335, raventheater.org, info@raventheater.org
Ongoing
Reader's Theatre Group ~ Read a script adapted from literature, and the audience picturing the action from hearing the script being read aloud. FREE; 2nd & 4th Tue; 7p, Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct., 707-829- 2176, occidentalcenterforthearts.org/, joanjustjoan@hotmail.com
Jul 12 and 15 ~ Histories and Healings - A Dance-Theater Experiment - Two friends from diverse backgrounds reflect on their experiences of family, culture, and trying to feel at home in Santa Rosa since the 1960’s. $7-$10, Museums of Sonoma County, 425 7th St., Santa Rosa, 707-579- 1500, museumsc.org
Using the recent grant for arts education from the Creative Sonoma Awards will enable the company to reach out to areas such as Village Elementary School in Santa Rosa, which does not have a theater program. Reva Navah believes in Walking Elephant’s ability to “positively impact...through learning and experiencing completely new forms of creative expression, storytelling and communication.” They produce original productions based on concepts that have meaning to students, who discover confidence and an inherent ability to create, with direct input into which topic will be explored for the documentary.
Bryson’s teaching techniques concentrate on truthful acting and nonviolent communication. He has seen “profound life transformations” through the program with students, building them up as members of the community. Initial ideas for upcoming productions are based on immediate concerns that will have significant personal impact. Young people choose which questions to ask, and the best interview moments are incorporated into the play, for
a sense of ownership in the process. Navah’s choreography in the pieces is collaborative with the ensemble, “creating authentic and original movement experiences.”
Jul 18 ~ Kenn Adams Adventure Theater
Walking Elephant Theatre Company gives the chance to make a difference and be part of exciting, uplifting theater. The grant from Creative Sonoma Awards will assist with growth in diverse areas of the county through the revitalizing power of the arts. walkingelephanttheatre.org
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