Wondering what it's like to take part in the Vamos Emerging Artists programme? Thinking of applying? 2024 Emerging Artist, Ines Aresti, gives us a guide to the experience, from the taster workshop to the final residency.
I am deeply intrigued by non-verbal communication when it comes to theatre. I find it fascinating when bodies and movement are able to tell a whole story without the use of words. Therefore, I had researched and read a lot about mask theatre before the taster workshop, but I had never had the opportunity to experiment with masks myself.
A couple of hours are not much to learn such a fine and complex technique, so what I really wanted from the workshop was to have a first encounter with this art form. How does it feel to be under the mask? How well do I see the people and objects around me? How does the expression in the mask affect my movements? Do I need to exaggerate them? Am I being clear enough in my communication?
The workshop was the ideal atmosphere to have a first contact with the masks and to start answering my questions, as the environment was very welcoming and refreshing. We were all excited to discover how many opportunities are hidden behind the masks. It was fascinating to see how enthusiastic we all were at the surprise of being able to communicate our emotions with just our bodies.
After the taster workshop, I was even more excited to learn more about this style and technique. We got to know the principles of mask theatre, such as clocking, counter mask, or giving focus, so I was eager to continue practising them. However, I went to Newbury with many other questions. This time I was very intrigued by the company's process of creation and devising. Where do you begin to create a show? Is there a process you follow? When does a script come into play? When do other design elements, such as music, intervene?
The opportunity to participate in a residency with a professional company was incredibly generous, eye-opening and inspiring. I was thrilled at the idea of finding myself in a room with a group of strangers and seeing what we could create collaboratively. Collaboration excites me, and the idea of doing it in a space isolated from the rest of the world had me on cloud nine.
Honor and Sean led the week in an incredibly interesting way, mixing mask theatre and clown, two styles that seem to have little in common, but share endless similarities. It was an absolute pleasure to learn from them and to let them guide us along the way. It was as if someone was teaching us how to ride a bike, but letting us cycle wherever we wanted.
By the end of the week, we created a piece that we performed in the streets of Newbury. It was fascinating because we created it together, without hardly knowing each other, mixing our backgrounds, experiences and proposals. We built the performance through improvisation and collaboration. We wrote the story without knowing the ending beforehand, which resulted very brave, personal and meaningful.
The whole week and experience was magical. Starting with the space, continuing with the people and ending with the professional connections we made. I would go back any day, any time. I fell in love with it all. I can only say Thank You.
Ines Aresti