"Brush": A music theatre workshop for people of all ages.

Welcome to Brush, a journey into the creative experience. Gather together for stillness, inspiration, conception, and creation. Learn from the wisdom of a legendary painter to help manifest our visions and dreams for ourselves and the world. Join Joan Chandler and David Sereda in this time apart for art.

Remember looking into a 3-D graphic image, and relaxing your eyes so that you could let the hidden pictures pop out at you. There is a surprise waiting there if you take the time. Look across the lake, or the yard, or into the woods with that relaxed vision. What pops out? Can you catch it?

"Brush" is a workshop process that opens you to being present, and to seeing the world around you in ways that may leave your preconceptions behind. Perceive it with your mind, and your intuition, as well as with your senses. "Brush" takes you deeply into the heart of the creative moment. Relax and kindle your imagination. Create and share songs, poetry and drama.

Our starting point is the the natural environment in which we live, and the art and times of painter Tom Thomson. Thomson took a leap ­ by making a conscious choice to paint in his own unique way; his artistic integrity, which inspired the artists who became The Group of Seven, continues to
impress and inspire people today. We'll explore some of these paintings, and then move on to the reality around us.

Our purpose is to rise to the challenge of freeing our own unique voice and style. Facilitators Joan Chandler and David Sereda share stories and songs, and offer practical guidance and exercise in vocal work, improvisation, collective creation, writing, movement and mask. [Stilting optional.]

"Brush" has been enjoyed by people ages 8 to 75+. This workshop will get your creative juices flowing.

Register for a Brush summer workshop, or book a session for your own group.

1. Make Believe Project
One Week Session: Monday – Friday July 11 – 15 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Fee: $125
Ages 8 - 12 Children love to make believe. Act out stories and songs and play games. Prime acting, writing, songwriting, mask and stilting skills in a fun week.

2. Creative Theatre Project
One Week Session: Monday – Friday July 25 – 29 from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm. Fee: $150 Ages 13- 75+ This musical theater project offers training in collective creation. Gain skills in songwriting, scene creation, stilting, and character development. Improv and games build ensemble skills and energize creativity.

3. Performance Project
Six Day Session: Tuesday – Sunday August 2 - 7 from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm. Fee: $175 Ages 13- 75+ This musical theater project prepares participants for their final performance. Working with script, score, and original material, participants gain skills in singing, acting, movement, stilting, and character development. Performances on August 6 & 7.
Special Package: # 2 and # 3 together for $300.

4. Giant Puppet Project
Five Day Session: Wednesday – Sunday August 3 - 7 from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm. Fee: $150 All Ages Gain hands-on experience in making and playing with parade wearable Giant Street Puppets. Learn techniques in painting, papier mache, and the fine art of working with found materials. Work with Shadowland: “The Leonardo da Vinci of Cardboard.”

Programs subject to change.