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.