The Epitome of Teamwork and Collaboration

Anyone who has attended a Living Canvas performance is familiar with the creative choreography and disciplined dance movements that define each show. What audience members do not see, however, is an equally precise and choreographed sequence of tasks that the cast members complete behind the scenes before and after each performance as they set up and later dismantle all of the stage elements. With the addition of the water feature in this years show called Rain, the list of tasks is longer than ever as cast members set up two scaffold units, readjust stage lights, install a frame and pool liner on the stage floor, and hook up an overhead water delivery system—all in less than 30 minutes after the audience from the Salome performance exits the theater. The cast of 14 performers completes these tasks quickly and efficiently and their cooperative efforts provide additional evidence of the cohesiveness of this cast.

This cohesive and collaborative spirit has been a core quality of each Living Canvas ensemble over the years, and it is a testament to the skill and sensitivities that Pete Guither and his artistic team bring to each new show. Directors always hope that they can develop a productive sense of camaraderie when they assemble and work with a cast of performers, but when those performers work nude for the entire length of a show in a small space illuminated only by projected images, it is essential that every individual enjoys the trust and respect of every other dancer on stage. This year, Guither and director Gaby Labotka accomplished this goal in remarkable fashion, even in the face of the additional set-up and performance challenges that come with adding an overhead rain curtain and collecting pool to the mix.


As noted on the Living Canvas web site, “each show has had a different theme and structure, but all celebrate the power of the human body to be an expressive canvas, with an underlying theme of body acceptance. In fact, each show not only has a Q and A session following, but also an opportunity for adventurous audience members to see what it's like to be a Living Canvas”. When the 14 cast members came out after the performance of Rain this past Saturday for the traditional discussion segment, they were all very eloquent as they responded to questions from the audience. They addressed issues of body acceptance, the process by which the bonds of trust and respect were nurtured among cast members, and their thoughts about performing nude, a new experience for several of the performers.

The candid and spirited comments by these intrepid performers serve to reaffirm the core values of the Living Canvas concept and remind us once again of the importance of a theatrical festival in which the artistic directors and performers have the vision and the courage to take on such challenging issues in an enlightened and creative manner. If you have not had the opportunity to witness this dazzling display of music, dance, and projected images, be sure to see Rain this summer and immerse yourself in the Living Canvas experience.