SoulOTheatre: Kat & The Smurfs All Star Show
Have you ever had an experience that unlocked a creative surge in you? How many experiences like that have you had? I’ve been blessed to have had many– sometimes it’s in the form of an individual kindred connection I make with someone else, sometimes it’s discovering new technology, sometimes it’s something I stumble upon by my own mistake, and sometimes it’s in the form of tools gained in direction from a teacher. I’ve been blessed with having the open mind and heart of a student and also blessed by the existence in my life of brilliant and generous teachers– not all teachers have been this way, but those who have gifted me make up for those who didn’t. Tracey Erin Smith is one such guru. She founded the SoulO Theatre Company. I’ve known the name of the company and workshop series for years but it wasn’t until I was sitting in the Master Class intensive this past May staring at the cover page of the workbook that it dawned on me with a jolt: Oh! Soul- O Theatre, like soul theatre! Ahhhh!” said I. “Whoa,” said the rest of the group. I may not be the brightest bulb on the tree but I do twinkle and flash.
I encourage you to find out more about Soulo Theatre, and if you’ve ever contemplated exploring something like this, DO IT DO IT DO IT!
For more information, please visit the website at www.Soulo.ca @TraceyErinSmith @SOULOFest
From the official website:
“SoulOTheatre is an innovative, interactive program designed to help people create, write, direct and star – in their own One-Person Show by transforming raw material from their lives into creative personal story telling performances. Smith’s process turns personal experience into compelling and entertaining theatre, with no prior acting experience necessary.
Participants take part in writing and theatre exercises to explore their lives, gaining insight into their trials and triumphs, as well as the wisdom they have earned; and share a ten-minute performance with an audience of friends and family at the end of the course.”
During the Master Class intensive I made new friends while I explored own bits of my life, fragments of memories that turned into stories. I discovered just how much my life has been molded by my two greatest influences: Madonna and The Smurfs. I have yet to do a show entirely of covers of songs from The Smurfs All Star, but it’s agonna happen, oh yes it is! Here is my homage to Papa Don’t Preach.
Here is my piece that came out of the Master Class intensive: Kat & The Smurfs All Star Show— still a favourite album of mine.
For more photos from the 2015 SoulOTheatre Festival, please see SoulO General Manager and magician James Alan’s album at his website Reality Based Magic and while you’re at it, check out the rest of his magical stuff. It really is magic because he’s a magician, eh!
Don’t forget I’m doing an hour-long version of Myselfie for Roof’s Off on Saturday July 4th where I plan to regale you with inspired and humorous storytelling, song and dance with my body bits! More on that here!
Wishing you a glorious day! See you soon!
🙂
In Defense of Madonna
As a huge fan of Madonna (in more huge ways than one :)) I’ve found I’ve had to come to her defense over the past week since the release of her 12th album, MDNA, on March 26, 2012.
It’s been a good exercise for me because, to be honest, I haven’t been a fan of a lot of her recent work. On many levels I’m confused by her music and choices. I feel like the concepts and execution she’s pursued of late fall short of the legacy she’s been building.
Personally, I wish she would explore more unique music with clever lyrics. I wish she’d return to melding controversial ideas with triumphant pop and/or funky ballads. But I’m not the boss of her. No one is the boss of Madonna. She may not be the best at everything she attempts, but at least she experiments and takes risks. And she has a lot of fans that love her in this genre, and I suppose she’s in good company with the genre she’s currently exploring.
I think as human creatures we become hypercritical when others don’t meet our expectations and fall short of what we desire them to be—especially if we’ve received certain positive outcomes from them in the past. We become dependant on them for joy and fulfillment and are easily disappointed. But I don’t think it helps to be critical (analytical, yes) of people for not behaving the way we want them to or making the decisions we want them to or making the music we want them to. I would like to see Madonna fans be thankful for what they’ve gained from her and hang on for the next Madonna incarnation—because history shows there will be one. 🙂
In the meantime, I hope Madonna holds true to herself and makes decisions based on her own gut.
“Poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another.”
Madonna- Justify My Love
Words to live peacefully by from one of my most significant heroes whom I will remain forever faithful to. Dear Madonna and reader: Express Yourself!
I leave you with my Bossy video, which I made a few years ago, a bit of a tribute to Madonna as I play with Papa Don’t Preach. http://youtu.be/UgmZiHCFU9Q
Love KAT
PS The new song I F**ked Up on the Deluxe Edition of MDNA is AWESOME!!! Seriously.
KAT LEONARD 