A New Chapter: Interviews with MFA Cohort IV

Group 2: Aubrey Clinedinst, Tristan Schaffer-Goldman, Emily Childers

We took time with the members of Cohort IV at this important and hard-earned milestone, asking them to reflect upon their journey up to this point and gaze ahead into the new chapter unfolding before them. Over the next few weeks we’ll publish their thoughts in groups of three to four here in the ADALife blog. Group 2’s interviews are below.We hope you’ll take a few minutes to enjoy them. To see Group 1’s responses click here and don’t miss Group 3 next week!

Aubrey Clinedinst

You’ve just completed the final final performance of 14 Lines in Arezzo. Can you describe how you felt afterwards?

Honestly, relieved. I was nervous for this performance and wanted it to go so well for our families and friends and was very happy with how it turned out. It took so much hard work, even up until the day of because we had to adjust the piece to every single space, but this space was the most challenging yet. Then when we did the show, it just sang and went along so smoothly that I was just so relieved our hard work paid off so well.

Looking back over the past 2+ years what would you say you are most proud of about Cohort IV? How about of yourself?

About cohort IV, I would say how incredibly far we have all come and developed. We were all good to start, but the leaps and bounds I have seen everyone make, and every challenge I have seen us not only overcome, but leave well behind in the dust has been astounding.

For myself, I’m not so sure what to say; I’m still processing. But right now I would say my ability to grow and keep working in the face of discomfort-not just physical but also mental and emotional. Also my sweet clowning skills 🙂

The next and final step in the program is writing your thesis. Can you give us a brief description? What started you down this path?

I am writing about the clown and how this theatrical presence actually has the best grasp on reality, seeing what is actually there while we as humans project things that are not there. The clown breaks these projections and perceptions, and in doing so makes the clown either the lowest-common-denominator, most perfect idiot or the smartest one of us all…Though they themselves have no agenda. Like I said, they just see what they are: a clown. It’s me the human talking all smart about them.

All this started with me wanting to write about and champion comedy as an art form. So frequently it is looked over as inferior (when’s the last time a comedy won best picture?), but it is far more challenging and for me has a better pay off–laughter. We absorb information better when we laugh and make positive connections in our brains with the material and the other people present. Finding exactly what comedy to write about was then determined by these past few years 🙂

What are your plans or aspirations for the next few months?

Get this thesis written! I also have a few projects I am currently working on back in the states, and I am excited to get going on them and keep going with my theatrical pursuits.

How do you anticipate the knowledge, skills and experience you’ve gained over the course of the program will inform your work as you move forward?

This is a hard question to answer because this knowledge IS my work moving forward. Before all I had was ideas and only a fraction of the tools needed to realize them. Now, I know I’m not “finished” because as an artist, as a person, one is never finished developing and learning, but I feel more complete as an artist, and not only are my ideas more refined, but I have more tools to see those ideas realized…Or at least I am now super equipped to improvise and make it up until I find a way to realize the idea without the tool I feel I need.

Cohort V is now in the middle of Year 2. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for them as they continue?

Find what you love and stick with it. Don’t let anyone tell you or make you feel less if what you love and want to work on does not meet their standards of what is worthwhile or correct. You know you best.

Also, don’t stress so much about the gradlab. It’s just a seed for your future. Keep in mind the finding what you love bit and the rest will happen. Keep working and doing great things 🙂

Tristan Schaffer-Goldman

You’ve just completed the final final performance of 14 Lines in Arezzo. Can you describe how you felt afterwards?

The final performance in Arezzo was particularly emotional for me for a few of reasons. Firstly, because it finally felt like the show really clicked and it was a shame we might not have the opportunity to keep exploring that. Secondly, looking out on the faces of family and friends, I was really glad to have had the opportunity to share the work with them. Thirdly, and most obviously, it occurred to me that this was most likely the last time I would share the stage with the 13 people I had worked so closely with for 2 and a half years, so it was like a proper goodbye to the group.

Looking back over the past 2+ years what would you say you are most proud of about Cohort IV? How about of yourself?

I would so I am most proud of the visible improvement in every single member of the group over our time together, and how no matter how hard it got we always stuck together and created solid work. For my own part, I’m proud of myself for constantly staying open to new ways of thinking about and performing theatre, and that I have learned to revel in, rather than fear, the uncertainty and true potential of the creative process.

The next and final step in the program is writing your thesis. Can you give us a brief description? What started you down this path?

Being exposed to so many different theatrical styles and pedagogies over the course of my life (and particularly in this program), one of the most consistent concepts I have encountered, especially in physical theatre, is this concept of eschewing the brain/rationality/logic in order to open the body (and subsequently the mind) to more honest or authentic impulses and ideas. In my thesis I intend to explore the concept of ‘nonsense’ and its usefulness both in the creative process and in performance.

What are your plans or aspirations for the next few months?

I will continue living and working in Arezzo for at least another year. As of now I am working 2 jobs; one using theatre to teach English to Italian children, and one teaching acrobatics and sphere (walking globe) to teenagers/adults. The latter will most definitely lead to performance opportunities. My plan for the next few months however, besides tackling this thesis, is to professionally develop some of the work I did as a student as well as apply what I have learned during the program to some of my older ideas. Oh, and of course to eat lots and lots of Tuscan food.

How do you anticipate the knowledge, skills and experience you’ve gained over the course of the program will inform your work as you move forward?

My experience and personal improvement over the last 2 and a half years has been invaluable. Besides acquiring entirely new skills, my relationships to art, to performance, and even to my own body have grown stronger and more complex. Any work I create in the future will inevitably be an extension of the lessons I learned here.

Cohort V is now in the middle of Year 2. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for them as they continue?

Stay open and curious; and even when things are at their toughest, try to enjoy the moments of struggle, confusion, or utter failure, because those are the most teachable moments. As a professor of mine used to say, “the jewel is in the shit.”

Emily Childers

You’ve just completed the final final performance of 14 Lines in Arezzo. Can you describe how you felt afterwards?

I felt proud of our final performance. I think it was the best performance we have given of 14 Lines.  I was much more emotional after our opening show at Continuo.  It was our final opening night together and I was severely sleep deprived! But it was beautiful, no less.  

Looking back over the past 2+ years what would you say you are most proud of about Cohort IV? How about of yourself?

I am proud of the professional and honest attitudes we maintained between each other. Being part of an ensemble in a conservatory-like setting on top of devising and creating your own material is a challenge.  There were a few bumps along the way, as to be expected, but for the most part everyone truly supported one another and when an issue came up- we engaged in open and honest communication.  I’m also quite proud of all of our work we created- from devisings in year one, to our clown show with André, and our Russian Absurdist piece with Lilo.

As for myself, these two years have been a long and beautiful road full peaks and valleys, both creatively and personally.  This might be a general note, but I am just plain happy with the person I am becoming, the people I’ve met and collaborated with, and I’m content with my open and teachable attitude towards life and my actor education.  The learning and lessons are never finished.  There was always a ‘thank you’ after constructive critiques in class and if I continue with this type of attitude I think I’m going to be alright.   

The next and final step in the program is writing your thesis. Can you give us a brief description? What started you down this path?

I will be exploring the ways one can implement the Laban method in Commedia dell’Arte character development.  I directed a Commedia canovaccio for my grad lab last spring, that is what propelled the idea for my thesis.

What are your plans or aspirations for the next few months?

Well, I plan on getting a good start on my thesis and soaking up the Tuscan life for the next two months and then I’m going on tour with A.C.L.E Theatrino where I will be a traveling teaching artist-bringing children’s shows and workshops to schools all throughout Italy.

How do you anticipate the knowledge, skills and experience you’ve gained over the course of the program will inform your work as you move forward?

I think it will mainly inform my body in character development.  I also, now have a plethora of tools on how to write, direct, and create my own material.  I look forward to implementing it in a professional atmosphere in the future!

Cohort V is now in the middle of Year 2. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for them as they continue?

Support one another and remain as teachable as possible.

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