Artist Survey: RAJEEYAH & CHRISTIE

TMTC Ladder Series Artist, RAJEEYAH & CHRISTIE, took some time in the midst of getting ready for his presentation THIS weekend [Friday, April 27 - Saturday, April 28] to answer a few questions regarding his process and his piece: The Ritual of Being Ms. Somebody.

Q: What YouTube video best describes how you are feeling right now?

A: Rajeeyah 

A: Christie:

Q: What has been the most exciting thing about developing The Ritual of Being Ms. Somebody?

A: Rajeeyah - Having the freedom to take risks and embracing the process. Plus I don't have to do it alone:)

A: Christie - The most exciting thing is that this is REALLY HAPPENING! I have been able to use this series as a platform to interact with artists and professionals I would have otherwise been hesitant to connect. Rajeeyah and I have helped others along the way, this is our artistic stamp!

Q: What has been the most challenging thing about developing The Ritual of Being Ms. Somebody?

A: Rajeeyah- Bridging ideas with another artist (Christie) in a way that allows both of our voices to be represented authentically and clearly. There are so many things we could share but at some point we have to pick something and go with it.

A: Christie -So many ideas, so little time! Crafting our piece so that our audience experience something is so important and finding that element in an authentic, organic voice. 

Q: If The Ritual of Being Ms. Somebodywas a song, what song would it be?  WHY?

A: Rajeeyah- "I Choose" by India Arie

A: Christie- Make Them Laugh - from Singing in the Rain... The words say it all

BUY YOUR TICKET TODAY TO SEE THE FINAL PRODUCT ONLY $10!!!

www.themovementtheatrecompany.org

C&R: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

The idea for The Ritual of Being Ms. Somebody came out of a conversation with Rajeeyah - in a rehearsal studio in New York City. The two of us were in the room and realized that underneath the surface, we were the same - human beings who like to play, laugh, cry and most importantly, BE EXPRESSIVE. 

I've learned that the resiliency of the human spirit is what drives me. I'm blessed to have a comfortable life and continually impressed by our strength and ability to celebrate, despite the loss that's inherent. 

Over the past month, I've reconnected with childhood friends (some I haven't seen in 15 years!), as well as new additions. I am so grateful...they are like angels/messengers/teachers because through their stories of hardship and obstables, I am healed...greeted by people who still smile and know how to let loose and PART-AY! 

Thank you to The Movement Theatre Company for believing in our idea! Thank you in advance to all of you, readers, who will be joining us this Friday & Saturday for our workshop production. 

We are ready to stand in the room and share a piece of our hearts, openly and honestly.

We ask you in joining us to do the same.

Artist Survey: BRANDON KYLE GOODMAN

TMTC Ladder Series Artist, Brandon Kyle Goodma, took some time in the midst of getting ready for his presentation THIS weekend [Thursday, April 19 - Friday, April 20] to answer a few questions regarding his process and his piece: HAPPY.

Q: What YouTube video best describes how you are feeling right now?

A:

Brandy's "I wanna be down"

Q: What has been the most exciting thing about developing HAPPY?

A: Working with such a phenomenal cast, and creating fantasic music.

Q: What has been the most challenging thing about developing HAPPY?

A: Fulfilling the requirements requested of me as a writer/artist. I think there are some flaws in the process.

Q: If HAPPY was a song, what song would it be?  WHY?

A: "On the ground again" by me and ryan. It describes the purpose of the piece, which is to discover what love really means.

BUY YOUR TICKET TODAY TO SEE THE FINAL PRODUCT ONLY $10!!!

www.themovementtheatrecompany.org

Artist Survey: CHERRYE J. DAVIS

TMTC Ladder Series Artist, Cherrye J. Davis, took some time in the midst of getting ready for her presentation THIS weekend [Friday, April 13 - Saturday, April 14] to answer a few questions regarding her process and her piece: TAPES.

Q: What YouTube video best describes how you are feeling right now?

A:

The more I get to know Tapes, the more it becomes it's own beast. This is what I feel like when I dance with the Tape-Monster. Sometimes we flail. Sometimes we walk away from each other. Sometimes our stillness is most eloquent.


Q: What has been the most exciting thing about developing TAPES?

A: The most exciting part of developing Tapes has been working with an amazing, diverse, generous collaborators. They have inspired new changes and pages, as well as kept me smiling when I felt stuck. It has been a real blessing to have everyone's hand on the fader to push the piece further.

Q: What has been the most challenging thing about developing TAPES?

A: The greatest challenge has been listening to what the piece is becoming and remembering to take chances with it. It can be scary to release scenes. However, through chopping old things, I make room for new things that make the piece so much clearer and brings the piece closer to itself.

Q: If TAPES was a song, what song would it be?  WHY?

A: If Tapes was a song, it would have to be a 3- headed speaker monster in Apple tribute:

1. Empire State of Mind- Jay-Z and Alicia Keys : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8
2. Autumn in New York- Ella Fitzgerald: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50zL8TnMBN8
3. Back in the New York Groove- Kiss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHOeTShtxSg

BUY YOUR TICKET TODAY TO SEE THE FINAL PRODUCT ONLY $10!!!

www.themovementtheatrecompany.org

The Rehearsal Process

As we get closer to the final presentation of our work through the Ladder Series, we are discovering new things about our story. It's interesing to look back at the people we've invited to witness our process and give their feedback. Each helpful in his/her own way...each giving their opinion through the lense of their own experiences in art...in life. In the end, though the piece is about 2 women, it really tells the story of all of those who have been a part of the process. We all touch, share and shape the story rather we realize it or not. Even if it's about helping Christie and I open up - to be more honest about what we have to say.

C&R: Q'Viva _ The Univision Variety Show con Corazon

The hottest new show on Univision, Q' Viva: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony go into ghettos, jungles and many places talent scouts wouldn't dare go to find Latino talent.

Unlike what is on American talent shows, we see the difficult circumstances some of the contestants come from, so the audience really gets behind them.

Here's a clip - START AT 9:02:

C&R: Nice Title...So, what is the show about again?

This show is not to be simply summed up as a piece about womanhood or gender roles (i.e. women not being able to tell their story b/c of man’s influence); it may address the theme in the work b/c I happen to be a woman and our interview subjects (our mother’s) are female. It goes beyond our prescribed gender…it speaks to the universal idea that Western society has such an overwhelming influence on all aspects of our lives that through the American, multicultural female lens there is additional pressure to be “somebody” and we may end up stopping short.

Standard Cultural Expectations in America: Education is primary, date at a later age, respect your elders, you are a child until you have your own, what will the neighbors say if they found out about this circumstance, etc. Rajeeyah and I have 9 to 5 jobs, but our creative spirit endures. I am priviledged - I recognize my position in the global sphere (my ability to vacation, live in a home without the constant threat of religious or political conflict, free speech, etc). However, I graduated college and realized that my new friend, Sallie, needs to get paid every month. So I had to press pause and earn a living. Now, I want to get back to my spirit - telling stories. If R & I had limitless wealth, I am certain we would be performing and directly influencing the artistic sphere. This show is our debut, coming out party, quincenera – a proclamation of our artistic identity. Here we are world!

Additionally, we were affected by loss...it has literally stopped us in our tracks – witnessing and personally (i.e. parents, loved ones, relationships, pets), so we want to investigate how do we bounce forward after a significant loss?

Oftentimes, as accomplished as I may appear, I feel like I’m limited. Has the pressure to satisfy my cultural expectations mixed with the standard struggles of growing up overwhelmed me? I know that I am not alone, so want to explore this idea in a show. Especially in New York City, it is a city of DOERS, but are people nurturing their spirit? There are moments when I see this as a city of isolated people who happen to be clustered together. When do we deal with the pain of our traumatic experiences and allow transformation to settle in?

I believe that we are all shining, radiant morsels of LOVE, so my intention is to shed light through our creative lens that we do have the choice to grow, heal and be happy.

CJD : Hip Hop made me think today...

How Hip Hop made me think on a Sunday: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRIZJ1NRhVw

C&R: Pursue Your Dreams

If everybody else is doing something very different than what you're doing, there's always going to be someone saying to you you might not succeed with it, you might not make any money with that, there's always going to be some type of obstacle in the way - all of those things will go away if you really focus on what makes you happy."~Kevin Clash; Muppeteer and the voice of Elmo

C&R: Collage by Rajeeyah

C&R: Muppet-y World!

Yes, this is how I see the world and would love the show to have an uplifting, fun tune! Currently developing a jingle entitled " Limitless" I wish I had been confident enough back in 2008 to audition for this movie so I could work with the Muppets. Till the next one! Wouldn't it be nice to see a pretty Christie singing tra-la-la.
YOU CAN -

JOIN US ON APRIL 27th & 28th at Harlem School of the Arts - Screening Room

Enjoy readers!

C&R: Inspiring Visuals

Rajeeyah actually shared this with our team. There's something so ALIVE with the background text and interconnected bodies. Reminds me of the graffiti/murals urban communities around the world showcase to mourn the deceased.

C&R: Judd Apatow + Girls

I'm a huge fan of Apatow films with Forgetting Sarah Marshall at the top of my list. I've been hooked on Jason Segal for showcasing his man-package to international audiences and the brilliance of mixing puppetry targeted to mainstream viewers.

Now, Lena Dunham will have the chance to speak for our generation via HBO in Girls, well, a segment of this population.

Here's to more post-college milieu series, with characters that are typically heterosexual, white, middle class, and in their twenties. Maybe we'll be able to sneak in a multi-cultural best friend into the mix of this series?

Keep watching out for me readers! I'll be among the ladies of this generation to keep pushing the artistic envelope and demanding access for diverse representations of women on major networks. Remember starlett, Christiamilda wrote it here first!

C&R: Check out the Cupcakes!

In my ideal show, I'd love cupcakes seating the audience...This artist must've had a similar vision.

"Mining childhood memories and media constructions of gender roles, her photographs are charged with an eerie, dreamlike quality. On first glance, her works often appear whimsical, but there is a disquieting aspect to Simmons’s child’s play, as her characters struggle over identity in an environment in which the value placed on consumption, designer objects, and domestic space is inflated to absurd proportions."

Watch Romance on PBS. See more from ART:21.

C&R: Transformations on Reality TV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_vNXW1Yl90


When I was about 11, I used to eat Wonder Bread and mayo sandwiches at midnight with my sister while we watched Jenny Jones reality tv (yummy, right?). I loved watching the transformation episodes b/c the guests would confront their bullies and then showcased theirnew bods and impeccible abs. There was something so addictive in watching these episodes. Perhaps it was something I wished for me. I wanted to be on TV, to host and dress in delicious clothes. It also must've played in the innate part of our personalities that loves to see good win vs. evil prevail. I found this clip from Maury. Oh, Maury! Today we're overloaded with these shows likeMob Wives, but this stuff is classic!

C&R: Inspiration

I love this video! Not only does it highlight the beauty of simple movement, but it also reminds me of the power of perspective. My take away is to lean towards creativity rather than complexity - something Christie and I hope to do in our piece.

C&R: La Vida Es Un Carvaval

IMAGINE IF WE ALL LIVED LIFE SINGING?

This song is a gem and an inspiration to produce this upcoming piece

Life is a carnival

Anyone thinking that like is unfair,
Needs to know that's not the case,
that life is beautiful, you must live it.
Anyone thinking he's alone and that that's bad
Needs to know that's not the case,
that in life no one is alone, there is always someone

Ay, there's no need to cry, because life is a carnival,
It's more beautiful to live singing.
Oh, Ay, there's no need to cry,
For life is a carnival
And your pains go away by singing.

Anyone thinking that life is cruel,
Needs to know that's not the case,
That there are just bad times, and it will pass.
Anyone thinking that things will never change,
Needs to know that's not the case,
smile to the hard times, and they will pass.

Ay, there's no need to cry, because life is a carnival,
It's more beautiful to live singing.
Oh, Ay, there's no need to cry,
For life is a carnival
And your pains go away by singing.
For those that complain a lot.
For those that only criticize.
For those that use weapons.
For those that pollute us.
For those that make war.
For those that live in sin.
For those that mistreat us.
For those that make us sick.

http://lyricstranslate.com

C&R: On Excellence...

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
- MLK, Jr.

Oftentimes when we watch interviews of accomplished professionals in business or the arts, excellence is mentioned. I live my life with that intention. As Rajeeyah and I move into the next phase of development toward the presentation, the people we trust to review our material and provide insight are valued.

In grammar school, our motto was: Strive for excellence.
Growing up in Jersey City - a diverse melting pot of nationalities and identities has shaped me to be an open individual who is willing to embrace the potential and drive that others provide.
My birthday falls on Martin Luther King, Jr. day this year - JANUARY 16th (presents are welcome lol). He was such an influential Capricorn - look, my birth date falls between powerful individuals. January 15th - MLK born ---> January 17th - Michelle Obama born. Do you see what's missing? Yep - Christiamilda Correa on national calendars, are you with me?

This piece is speaking to me - it's aching to be born already. Every night in my dreams, I see the show..."SING IT OUT LOUISE! LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU, LET ME MAKE YOU SMILE!"...wait, that show was produced already. "A STAR IS BORN"...wait, that one too.

I'm trusting this process and know in my heart that since Rajeeyah and I are approaching this piece with integrity and from a raw, honest place and are people who demand excellence in all we do...fellow audience member, we are in store for a darn good piece of theat-re!