Projects
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TUMA THEATRE
Fairbanks, Alaska
An ongoing Alaska Native performance project sponsored by the University
of Alaska, Fairbanks. Project has included extensive academic research
and field work throughout Alaska. The project has included the
development of seven performances (either directed or co-directed by Mr.
Riccio) Utetmun ("Going Home"); The Child From The Sea; Qayaq: The Magical
Man; The Eagle's Gift; Inua; Naam/Gen Ehu; and Yupik Arnaq. Tuma, which
means 'the path' in Yup'ik, productions have all applied dance, drumming,
and performance expressions evolved from Inupiat, Yup'ik, Aleut, and
Athabaskan Indian ceremonial, ritual, and performance traditions. Ongoing
from 1988 through the present.
Related Links:
· Tuma Photo Gallery
· Elemental Forms
KOREAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOR THE ARTS
Seoul, Korea
A Teaching and Performance residency. Classes and workshops conducted
with graduate and undergraduate students in acting, applications of
traditional performance, and directing. The residency included research
in Korean Shamanism, training, and development of a contemporary
performance style extrapolated from traditional Korean P'ansori and Mask
Dance. Project resulted in the development of a workshop performance,
Twelve Moons. Residency: August to December 1996.
Related Links:
· Twelve Moons Photo Gallery
!XUU AND KHWE CULTURAL PROJECT
lower Kalahari Desert, South Africa
A Workshop and Performance residency. The workshop included interviewing
and documenting the performance expressions of music, ritual, and dance of
the !Xuu and Khwe Bushmen. The workshop group included eight traditional
healers and extensive field work was conducted in the area of traditional
healing methods and ceremony. The project identified and explored
traditional performance expression to express contemporary issues. A
collaboratively developed workshop performance, People Come Out of Here,
resulted. Sponsored by the !Xuu and Khwe Trust, the Northern Cape Tourist
Association, and the South African Defense Forces. Residency: May
through June 1994.
Related Links:
· !Xuu and Khwe Healers Photo Gallery
· Today We Sing
THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Lusaka, Zambia
A Workshop and Performance residency. The project brought together
performers from tribal groups from throughout Zambia and was the first
ever attempt at creating a national theatre style crossing tribal
boundaries. Imipashi (The Spirits), was an outdoor performance evolved
from the workshop process. Performed either day or night, the performance
toured throughout Lusaka's compounds and to provincial and rural areas.
The performance was inspired by a Lozi creation myth, included traditional
ceremonial practice, and featured traditional story telling, dance,
puppets, masks, and community theatre techniques from a variety of tribal
traditions. Residency: February to May 1994.
Related Links:
· Imipashi Photo Gallery
· In Zambia, Performing the Spirits
NATAL PERFORMING ARTS COUNCIL
Durban, South Africa
A Workshop and Performance residency. Commissioned to research and
develop performance methodology addressing the unique needs of Natals
under served Zulu population. The performance, Makanda Mahlanu (The
Snake King with Five Heads), applied elements of Zulu traditional dance,
song, story telling, praise singing, ritual, and drumming. An outdoor
community theatre performance, it was performed 41 times throughout Natal
and Zululand and addressed issues particular to pre-election South Africa:
participatory democracy, voter education, and conflict resolution.
Makanda was performed at township, rural and urban venues: including
schools, clinics, government offices, marketplaces, parking lots, beach
fronts, open fields, and squatters' camps. Residency: September through
January 1993.
Related Links:
· Makanda Mahlanu Photo Gallery
· Makanda Mahlanu
THE SAKHA NATIONAL THEATRE
Yakutsk, Russia (Siberia)
A Workshop and Performance residency. The project included extensive
travel and field research in Sakha traditional and shamanic performance.
A two week training and skill's exchange was followed by a workshop to
evolve an original production inspired by the traditional folk tale of
"Bayberican." The resulting performance Sardaana applied traditional
Sakha and shamanistic performance idioms and explored issues of cultural
re-discovery in a post-Soviet era. The performance is now a part of the
company's permanent repertory. Residency: May to August 1993.
Related Links:
· Workshops Photo Gallery
· Sardaana Photo Gallery
METAMORPHOSIS THEATRE
St. Petersburg, Russia
A Performance residency. The project explored and applied pre-Christian
Slavic ritual, dance, song, masks, and language. Using the trance
experiences of group members to re-imagine a ritual context the group
evolved a workshop performance, Shadows From The Planet Fire. The
performance was presented the Baltic House Theatre in St. Petersburg and
subsequently toured the northern Ukraine. Residency: June to August 1992.
Related Links:
· Metamorphosis Theatre Photo Gallery
TUKAK' TEATRET
Fjaltring, Denmark
A Teaching and Workshop residency. Conducted classes in imaginative
movement, Alaskan Eskimo dance and drumming. Movement instructor for the
companys performance of Tuullik (the Loon) which was presented at the
Inuit Circumpolar Conference and subsequently toured Canada and Europe.
Assisted in the exploration and articulation of a Greenland Inuit
performance language inspired by their drumming and storytelling
traditions. Residency: Intermittently throughout the Spring and Summer
1992.
SPRINGS THEATRE
Hoslebro, Denmark
A Workshop and Performance residency. Conducted skills and training
workshops for a newly organized group composed of political refugee Tamils
from Sri Lanka. The workshop included performance and administrative
development. The workshop performance explored the Hindu legend of King
Harichandra, a story of homelessness, and applied traditional dance and
theatre styles of Bharata Nadyam and Khutu. The performance, Kaliyugam
(In the Time We Live) was the first performance of the group. Residency:
Intermittently throughout the Spring and Summer 1992.
NATAL PERFORMING ARTS COUNCIL
Durban, South Africa
A Workshop and Performance residency. A training and performance
development project combing the Kwasa (Group 19 Zulu) and 8 non-Zulu
performers. The workshop evolved Emandulo (The Ancient One), a
performance based on the Zulu myth of Umshayandlela. The allegorical
performance applied traditional expressions, values, and perspective to
express modern political issues, reconciliation, and healing; a first for
a state-run South African theatre. Emandulo was performed 28 times in
Durban and Pietrmaritzburg. Residency: April and May 1992.
Related Links:
· Emandulo Photo Gallery
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