Charting the creative journey towards a daring and truthful production…..
Day 5
Friday 19th July 2013
Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford
Tonight I am speechless!
Blown away by everything that these incredible performers presented tonight.
For those lucky enough to have been there I know it was a truly uplifting and thought provoking experience… I could see in the faces of the audience members as they left Garter Lane that this was something that will remain in their hearts.
The beautiful programme gives an insight into our creative process that listens and considers the voice of everyone involved. This production has been a testament to the generosity, honesty, integrity and passion of the nine TRACES dancers who held us under their spell for the entire show.
I will share my Director’s Note from the programme that attempts to express how enriching this week and every workshop or project I embark on with TRACES Dance Ensemble….
A week when imagination tumbled flowed and bubbled over. Soon an eclectic mix of intriguing scenes was woven together seamlessly. Like a moving collage or flexible jigsaw puzzle, the pieces can fit in so many ways. Not always the most logical but hey! Sometimes illogical has more depth, beauty and strength than the obvious or expected.
Why Truth Or Dare? A message to the dancers: On our journey back from performing in Dun Laoghaire we played this game, and as I listened to the quests and questions that were bouncing around I considered the many ways in which you young people are facing the challenges of living your lives with Down syndrome. The daring spirit of you beautiful dancers is infectious and your truthfulness is a comfort and inspiration. Working with you is a privilege and a huge pleasure.
We are ready and eager to share our new work Truth Or Dare and two pieces from TRACES Dance Ensemble’s repertoire ‘Synergy’ and ‘I See You See Me’.
Many thanks to all the fellow artists who have helped fashion this fabulous show.
Thank you for coming, I am certain you will not be disappointed.
Libby
If you were not one of the lucky ones you can still get in to see it at 2 pm tomorrow. There is as much feel good factor in Truth Or Dare as there is in any hour spent in this glorious sunshine, only difference is the show won’t be here tomorrow!! L
FROM TINY ACORNS MIGHTY OAKS GROW
Day 4
Thursday 18th July 2013
Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford
We had the first taste of an audience this afternoon when Nick Kavanagh, Evelyn Power and some of Waterford Young Arts Critics came along to get a preview/ insight into TRACES and the upcoming show. We enjoyed the feedback especially as it was so positive, despite the rough edges (2 dancers down today)
There was a strong focus on the technical elements of the production today, and all sorts of theatrical magic is taking shape – if you want to know more you will have to come and see the show!!!
Costume checking can be a long and rather tedious business 
And now (sound of trumpets….) we can proudly present the programme for Friday (tomorrow!) at 8 pm and Saturday at 2 pm:
‘Synergy’ “The interaction of multiple elements that produces an effect different from or greater than the sum of their individual effects”.
Emotions and personal stories are expressed with physical eloquence in a seamless dialogue that conveys with sensitivity and tenderness the relationships between the dancers.
‘I See You See Me’
This intimate and engaging short dance film is a testament to the high artistic values embraced by TRACES dancers and artistic team.The film was presented at the World Down Syndrome Congress 2012 in Cape Town by TRACES artistic director and choreographer, Libby Seward.
‘Truth Or Dare’
A collage of imaginings and personal stories both light hearted and heartfelt that leads us on a journey from the familiar to the fantastic “To boldly go where no dancer has danced before”…..
- Welcome to our space
- Roots, rhythm and passion
- The Notebook
- Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
- Dining out with style
- Discovering
- How do we measure up
- Fashionistas!
- It’s a guy thing
- Skyfall and Smooth Landings
- Landscape, Bodyscape
- Expanding horizons
- Love’s light shines
- Traces of Light
Still rehearsing hard and the focus is still 100% – despite the heat 
We are ready and eager to share our new work Truth Or Dare and two pieces from TRACES Dance Ensemble’s repertoire ‘Synergy’ and ‘I See You See Me’.
Standing by backstage for a big entrance….
Many thanks to all the fellow artists who have helped fashion this fabulous show. Come and see I am certain you won’t be disappointed. A lovely quote from Eadaoin who is working on things to do with music and sound but has also landed herself a bit of stage crewing J
It has been a great experience to work with such a creative ensemble. My mood has travelled from contemplative to excited to giddy and back again. I’ve wanted to join in the movement so many times but I’m delighted to create the live sound to support the inspired gestures
Day 3
Wednesday 17th July 2013
Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford
Some thoughts and quotes from dancers and crew as we head into our last two days.
Lights Camera Action!! The day started with a trip to Waterford Regional Sports Centre for a filming session on the pitch. Darragh was caught in action by Keith Currams, the footage will be projected during his solo – can’t wait to see this….
I had great craic being filmed at WRSC, although it was a bit tough going playing in this heat! Darragh Quinlan
It has been a wonderful journey through memories and fun. We have worked long and hard. We laughed a lot and we danced like fireflies. We were together Grace Howley
Sharing precious memories:
I’ve laughed, I’ve cried. I have witnessed the true beauty of artistic creativity
Trish Murphy
I will never get tired of dancing, so this week was just perfect for me. We worked very hard but had great fun. The show will be brilliant and very moving
Brian McSweeney
Working on this project involves having one foot permanently outside of my comfort zone, always being stretched slightly further than before. The me that leaves on Saturday evening will be different to the one who entered on Monday morning. Embiggened by the experience
Keith Currams
Paul came on board today to operate sound – not as straight forward as you might think on this technically challenging show – I did warn him!!!
In at the deep end and loving this engaging and original working process. So happy to be playing a part!
Paul McDonald
We worked really hard and it was great fun and I am looking forward to the show! I love dancing with traces and all my friends
Carol Nairn
What a joy to be working with this generous and truly daring cast and crew 
It’s all coming together really well and we are very much looking forward to sharing it with our audiences.
Day 2
Tuesday 16th July 2013
Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford
Collaboration, Generosity, Patience and a bit of Birthday cake!!!
Such a joy to have the wonderful eye of Keith Currams capturing the days in photos to treasure.
This daring adventure moves along swiftly due to the commitment and enthusiasm of all involved, cast and crew alike…..
Day 2 and we have a structure for the show!
Today has been a day for fitting all the intriguing sections together. Like a moving collage or flexible jigsaw puzzle, the pieces can fit in so many ways. Together we have discussed and shared ideas about transitions and lighting, music and props, costumes and choreography.
And time to celebrate a birthday with cake, candles and a card signed by the cast and crew with a picture of Nureyev and Fonteyn – inspired!!
The stage is being transformed to accommodate this eclectic journey. Our first challenge today was how to travel from the living room and cosy armchairs to the hurling pitch in the blink of an eye (mission accomplished!). We are working towards welcoming the audience, like guests, into the dancers home. Please accept this invitation to get to know some extraordinary hosts.
Transitions were the major focus of the day and solutions to the trickiest were never too hard to find. Not always the most logical but hey! Sometimes illogical has more depth, beauty and strength than the obvious or expected.
Loving the positive attitude even when we are all tired after a long day…..
There is such a strong connection between the TRACES dancers, and they share this with the team. I remember how that connection was the inspiration behind the naming of the group – tracing the connections between the dancers in the space.
Bring on Day 3 J
We are having a ball!
Day 1
Monday 15th July 2013
Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford
Reflecting on today brings so many amazing images to mind of a day bursting with creativity and imagination. The dancers and the creative team hit the ground running and ideas tumbled and flowed. We now have a collection of intriguing scenes that will be woven together seamlessly by the end of the week…. Daring or What!!!!
To give a taste of the journeys we have started today I will start with Michael who led us into one of his paintings his movements echoing the brush strokes and the essence of the landscape that he captured on the canvas.
Darragh has a passion for hurling and his work today, accompanied by live bodrhan inspired a real sense of the roots of the game. Joanna took Keith, our filmmaker clothes shopping! Combining film and dance, her piece brings the world of fashion from the high street to the theatre with a few twists.
Florence enchanted us with her interaction with beams of sound, a solo that duets with sound artist Eadaoin. John drew inspiration from his family and his precious memories; we were invited to share with him as he filled the space with eloquent and heartfelt body language. Carol’s piece considered her work / life balance – she explored work routines from new perspectives and encouraged us to reconsider our everyday movements. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were brought to the stage by Declan in an elegant and timeless duet with dance artist Trish.
Brian was tireless today, building a playful duet with Florence that involved a notebook (mine!) and a pen Ideas and plans for Brian’s solo are in discussion and are still ‘under wraps’ – watch this space!!!
And if all the above is not enough to impress, we also found time to review and rehearse other work created over the busy year that TRACES Dance Ensemble has had. The day was full, rewarding, tiring and exciting and we all ended the day on a high. Michael and Lippy were generous with their technical and practical support giving us glimpses of Theatrical magic that lead us towards what I know will be a truthful and daring production.