NNW Profile: Katie Kaufmann by Russ

3/24/2016

Hi-ya folks and welcome back to Savage Umbrella's humble behind-the-scenes blog.

Last week we introduced the first of three Night of New Works creator/collaborators collective unconscious and their new work: the sleeping beauty in the wood. This week we're going to keep the ball rolling by giving you a little more info about local performer and creater Katie Kaufmann and her new work: Keeper of the Light.

Keeper of the Light
written and directed by Katie Kaufmann

What's the story?

“The light is my child I know when it needs me even while I sleep.” An exploration of motherhood through the life the first officially appointed female lighthouse keeper, her heroic acts, struggle for recognition, and death in obsolescence.

Movers and Makers

Writer & Director: Katie Kaufmann

Cast: Heather Bunch, Katie Kaufmann, Brian O'Neal, Paul Rutledge, Lindsey Samples, Josiah Tompson

With assistance from: Robie Hayek, Mark Benzel

Tell me more! Tell me more!

What are the main themes in your piece?

Parent child symbiosis, struggle for formal recognition, isolation, success as a woman in a man's world, the rise of efficiency at the expense of humanity.

What is your creation process like for your piece?

I began thinking about making this play seven years ago. Two years ago, I wrote a script, my first script ever. Being a collaborative physical theatre maker, it was backwards to me to start out with a script, and not considering myself a very literary or verbal person, it was quite a challenge to write. In the Night of New Works process I have adapted that script to narrow the focus and have used improvisation, based off of images and text prompts, and group generation to fill in many of the visual, ensemble and movement ideas for the story. I have worked with the cast on some theatrical "problems" such as how to row a boat and drown on stage, how to be a lighthouse, and how to manifest a storm. The piece also uses shadow puppets I commissioned from Night of New Works artist, David Hanzal. Originally this proposal was to do a one woman show and I am so happy I decided to add an ensemble. The ideas and feedback the ensemble bring to the rehearsal room are helping me discover new things about this show that I never would have on my own.

If your piece was a cocktail or beverage, what would it be?

If my piece were a cocktail it would be a dark and stormy. There is a storm in the play, and there are notes of sweetness in the tempest.

NIGHT OF NEW WORKS
April 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Reserve your tickets now!

** Pieces are presented on different nights. Please see the full schedule here.
Keeper of the Light performs April 8, 9, 15 & 16, 2016.