Helena Bryant, Muhlenberg College

Semester Physical Theatre Program

After an almost 7 hour bus ride we finally arrived in the beautiful Ljubljana. Attempting to sleep in the hostel that night was hard, as the excitement for the following day’s master class was overwhelming. None of us knew what to expect, but still, we were ready for the unknown.

When we arrived to Španski Borci we were immediately thrown into an intense pilates workout, led by the incredible Ana. After thoroughly warming up our bodies, (and witnessing a light burst above us), we were taught a phrase created by Iztok Kovač. Little did we know that this phrase would lead us into the rest of our 6 hour day with En Knap.

Soon after, we were told to create our own “identity card,” a short phrase that showed who we were as a performer. This was one of the first times this semester that we were giving complete freedom to create as artists and performers. It brought a relaxing atmosphere to the room, even though everyone was already sweating profusely from the warm-up and choreography learning.

After a delicious lunch of vegetable soup, we continued our work with Ana, splitting up into smaller groups to create even more choreography. We used the choreography from each of our “identity cards” to create a group piece, which we then showed to the rest of the group. Soon our choreographed pieces turned into 20 minute improv sessions, accompanied by random music to give inspiration.

All in all, it was a very fun first day at the Španski Borci!

 

Milla Blackwelder, Coastal Carolina University

One Year Physical Theatre Program

22 is the number of theatre students.
10 is the number of music students.
4 is the number of classes I get to take in a day.
0 is the number of apples I am allowed to steal from the mensa on the weekend.
3 is the number of showers I take in an afternoon.
1,00,000 is the number of pages of my Philosophy homework- which is fine.
6 is the number of hours of sleep I get every night.
2 is the amount of cones of gelato I eat in a week.
The supposed age in seconds of the Universe is 10^22.
10^22 is the amount of seconds of my energy to continue in the Universe.
My breath and inspiration will grow, dissolve, flow, and absorb into what will be a part of
the infinite.
The ADA is watering my soul flower.
I do not think there is a number or unit of measurement for the amount of love and
freedom I feel here.
Infinitely love, growth, and learning.

Amanda Hinge, Skidmore College

Semester Physical Theatre Program

Reflecting on this past month
Happy one month anniversary to Italy and the Fall 2019 ADA group! One month ago
today, August 30, 2019, I was terrified to board my plane or to even introduce myself to my new
peers. I was thrown into life in Italy and at the Accademia but I wasn’t the only one of course.
We have ventured through together from the first time we were dropped off in the center of
Arezzo. My new surroundings and circumstances really hit me when I had to order gelato in
Italian, an entirely foreign language to me. My new friends were there to struggle with me.
The first time I felt a sense of community here was when everyone had wandered up to
the roof of the Teatrino to watch the sunset. We all stood there in awe at the beauty of our new
home. The sunset gatherings have become a nightly occurrence, a place for music, jokes,
stories and philosophical talks, and what I look forward to most after a long weekend of travel.
This community has stayed with me whether I like it or not. I know it will stay with me
long after the program ends. When developing pieces for our master class in Ljubljana bouncing
ideas off of my peers, my community, helped in the process. They were also the most helpful in
providing feedback towards my work and talking things out after a hard day.
Looking back on this past month, it seems such a long time but also so short. I am
grateful for the community I have found myself in. I have known these people for so long but so
little. That is what I love about this arts community.