This year, the directors of Living Canvas – Demons have once again integrated the audience participation segment into the final portion of the show in a way that will make it very easy for interested and curious audience members to join in the fun. At the conclusion of the curtain call at the end of the performance, cast members will invite people to undress while the house lights are still down and then move onto the stage that will already be bathed in colorful patterns. The performers will guide them through some basic movements as rhythmic music adds to the experience. Some people may want to simply stand and watch in amazement as the colors play over their skin. Others will feel totally liberated as they play and dance like children under the cover of the projected images.
Sound outrageous? Perhaps to some, but many people from the audience participate after every show and they all seem to agree that they never really feel exposed on stage since the intricate projected patterns cover their naked bodies like clothing. It’s like body paint without the mess!
At the end of this segment, those audience members who ventured on stage will be able to return to their seats, put on their clothes again in the darkened theater, and then take their seats for an informative question-answer session to end the evening. The performers and directors will take questions from the audience and explain all aspects of the artistic concept and the challenges of staging a Living Canvas production.
So this year, as you watch the energetic performers bring Living Canvas – Demons to life, remember that you too can be part of the experience. It’s easy and it’s fun, and it is definitely an experience you will never forget.
We've had as many as 15 people join in for the audience participation, young and old, male and female, of all body types. It's both liberating and empowering.
ReplyDeletecan we sit through the whole show naked?
ReplyDeleteAt this point, we are asking audience members not to sit in the audience naked, to avoid the possibility of making others around you uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind, for many audience members, this may be their first experience with naked performers that close to them (as opposed to being on screen). That can be disconcerting enough without a naked guy sitting next to them.
It is very important that we not discourage those who are braving a new experience.
Sure, we could just perform to nudists (and we have done nudist-only performances before), but how would that serve one important mission of The Living Canvas, which is to help people become more open to body acceptance?
Join us for the audience participation section!
We a have a number of performers this year who had seen the show, got up to do audience participation, and were so inspired they auditioned for this year's production. I myself was one of those audience members 6 years ago. From there I started doing the photography, then performed in the 2005 production at Victory Gardens, and now this is my second year directing.
ReplyDeleteOnce I got past the initial anxiety of removing my clothes, actually being naked was strangely comfortable, natural. Add to that the texture and beauty of the slides, and I was hooked. There really is nothing like looking down at one's own body and feeling like a work of art. After thousands of sharp intakes of breath at each glance toward cellulite, c-section scarring, broad this, wide that, morning after morning, mirror after mirror...it's like a great, cleansing sigh of release.
You should really try it.
I found this page of comments while I was reading about the Naked July shows for this year and I decided to write about my experience.
ReplyDeleteLast year my friend and I saw the Living Canvas for the first time. We thought it was incredible, but we had no idea that anyone could participate until we heard the announcement at the end. I remember thinking that there was no way that I could ever strip and be naked in a theater with other people there, but when I looked over, I saw that my friend was already getting undressed. “C’mon—it will be a blast!” she said and before I knew it, my clothes were off too and she and I were walking around with the light patterns moving all over our skin. Like the others wrote here, it really is a unique experience that makes you feel good about yourself. I still can’t believe I did it last year, but I am glad that I tried it because it was fun and I was surprised that it felt as comfortable as it did. We are already planning to do it again this year!
- Michelle
I will be coming from out of state by myself and think it'd be fun to participate but am worried about what I'd do with my wallet. If clothes/belongings are left at your seat if a dishonest person was next to me what keeps someone from taking my wallet?
ReplyDeleteWe are very pleased to know that interested people from out of state are planning to attend the Naked July Festival and to see the Living Canvas show. You raise an interesting question that may have occurred to other readers. Once you see the theater space, though, we think you will feel more comfortable and confident that your belongings will be secure. The house is rather small and if you choose to sit in the front row on any side of the thrust stage, you will be just a few few feet from the performers. If you choose to undress and join in the audience participation segment at the end, you will never be more than a few feet from your seat and your belongings and they will always be in your sight.
ReplyDeleteIf you still have concerns, you would, of course, be welcome to hold on to your wallet and other valuables when you join the others on stage. We hope you decide to participate and make the most of the Living Canvas experience!
Do you only perform during the Naked July Festival in Chicago or do you go to other theaters around the country during the year?
ReplyDelete