The Desire For Immortality: An Artistic Exploration Of The Fear Of Life's Transience

Facilitated by Theatremaker Pascal Buyse

July 22nd - 24th & July 29th - August 2nd

Join queer theater director from BRONKS Theater in Brussels, Pascal Buyse at WildHeart Center for Performance & Embodiment Practice in Wallkill, NY (1 hour north of NYC) for a two-week devised, movement-based theatre creation immersion. The first week (July 22 – 25) will be devoted to research and development, exploring themes, and creating material. The second week (July 29 – August 1) will be a rehearsal intensive crafting the research into a performance and performing for the public on August 1st.

**Participants can come for one or both weeks**

During this artistic research workshop and performance project, we delve deep into the quest for immortality, drawing inspiration from the epic adventures of Gilgamesh, while seeking parallels with modern-day life and today’s connection with nature.

Throughout the work, we warmly invite you to participate in discussions, brainstorming, and creative sessions where everyone is encouraged to openly and respectfully share their ideas. We will look to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of humanity’s oldest tales, the mortal hero Gilgamesh embarks on a quest for identity following the demise of his friend (lover) Enkidu. His journey takes him through uncharted realms, offering contemplation on the fleeting nature of life. This timeless theme of humanity’s yearning to transcend death reverberates through the ages.

At the heart of this artistic research, we explore leveraging the power and beauty of nature to craft sensory performances for an audience. How can we, through theater performances in nature, craft profound experiences that reignite our connection with the natural world in the face of mortality? How can we develop new narratives that lead an audience in a world where all life forms harmoniously coexist?

The aim of the workshop is to create an in-depth exploration of the complex relationship between immortality and conservation, culminating in a transformative sensory theater experience for participants and audiences in The Gardens of Wildheart.

About the Process

The participants will be challenged to collaborate, improvise, experiment, and create a new theater production. 
The methodology focuses on guided visualizations and integrating sensory experiences (touch, smell, sight, hearing, taste) into a theatrical outdoors performance. This with attention to subtlety and nuance, and an artistic exploration that connects dance, theater, and visual art. Through fiction, layered narrative levels, and generous improvisation, we explore dance and performance in nature as a soothing mechanism. This involves studying narratives, movement patterns, temporal and spatial choices in relationship with nature.

We will ask questions about what moves us on a physical and conceptual level. What do we gravitate towards? What do we need to let go of? What do we want to invite?

We will explore queer performance strategies of transformation, change, and yielding to discover new and unexpected pathways together.

We will explore the borders and investigate between knowing and not knowing, abstraction and intention, images and action. By meeting each other through touch, shared fictions, and energetic exchanges, the aim is to playfully embrace risk and discover the bliss of vulnerability.

In this devising intensives, it is a requirement that discussion, brainstorming, and creative sessions proceed when everyone has the opportunity to openly and respectfully share their ideas. Creating a collaborative and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued is paramount.

More info + Registration: 

https://www.wildheartcenter.art/desire-for-immortality/