This is really sweet. Enjoy!
Sunday 11 September 2011
Saturday 6 August 2011
Performance vs. Stability, a pair of ducks
By: Tess Cartwright
www.tessential.com
I am inspired to write this post since I have decided to take the leap. I have been part-time performing and working an admin job at a circus charity for 2 years. I have enjoyed the steady income of the admin but the paradox comes in while I am sitting in a chair staring at a screen for hours on end when all I want to do is train, rehearse and perform. I have been performing with my partner whenever we get work which is getting more and more frequent. I get frustrated that our performance isn't as good as it could be if it had my full focus. One of the joys of my job that I have had is directing the youth troupe in their circus routines. I get so much pleasure working with them I really wish I could do that more. They are such talented kids, I can't wait to see where they take their skills!
So, now, I have decided to dedicate all my time to my business and website, teaching and performing, theatre and circus. Yes, I am scared.
I am a firm believer in following one's heart, living in the present and going for it. I need to practice what I preach but it is the steady income that I know I will miss. I will not know when the next cheque may come from which is in some ways exciting and in others terrifying. I know how hard it is to hone a skill and perform. Frankly, I feel those people who say it isn't a real job probably wish they could dedicate their lives to something they love. If a 'real job' means you spend hours wishing the day were over and counting down to your retirement then I would rather live a real life and take the 'fake job'.
Any work one chooses one should find the joy and passion within it. If there isn't any then you are spending a good portion of your life being miserable and no monetary compensation for those hours are going to fill that void. Yes, times are hard and sometimes we need to take any work that comes so find ways to love what you do no matter what it is and watch as everything starts to look brighter around you.
So, I take the leap... I must believe the net will appear.
www.tessential.com
I am inspired to write this post since I have decided to take the leap. I have been part-time performing and working an admin job at a circus charity for 2 years. I have enjoyed the steady income of the admin but the paradox comes in while I am sitting in a chair staring at a screen for hours on end when all I want to do is train, rehearse and perform. I have been performing with my partner whenever we get work which is getting more and more frequent. I get frustrated that our performance isn't as good as it could be if it had my full focus. One of the joys of my job that I have had is directing the youth troupe in their circus routines. I get so much pleasure working with them I really wish I could do that more. They are such talented kids, I can't wait to see where they take their skills!
So, now, I have decided to dedicate all my time to my business and website, teaching and performing, theatre and circus. Yes, I am scared.
I am a firm believer in following one's heart, living in the present and going for it. I need to practice what I preach but it is the steady income that I know I will miss. I will not know when the next cheque may come from which is in some ways exciting and in others terrifying. I know how hard it is to hone a skill and perform. Frankly, I feel those people who say it isn't a real job probably wish they could dedicate their lives to something they love. If a 'real job' means you spend hours wishing the day were over and counting down to your retirement then I would rather live a real life and take the 'fake job'.
Any work one chooses one should find the joy and passion within it. If there isn't any then you are spending a good portion of your life being miserable and no monetary compensation for those hours are going to fill that void. Yes, times are hard and sometimes we need to take any work that comes so find ways to love what you do no matter what it is and watch as everything starts to look brighter around you.
So, I take the leap... I must believe the net will appear.
Thursday 30 June 2011
Festival Culture
This summer my performance partner and I have been gigging at various festivals. Our act is targeted towards families and festivals seem to be the perfect place to perform. I had never really gone to a festival before living in the UK. Last summer I was introduced to this magical bubble where every day is dress-up day and there are no rules. If you want to have a beer at breakfast that is perfectly acceptable! Everyone has about as many cares as they do showers and shoes are optional. Every performance has been lovely, it is a supportive and friendly audience who are there to have a good time.
Then I went to Glastonbury festival as a plus one. This was the first festival I have done where I wasn't working but got to reap the benefits of the crew camping. Without having to be anywhere at a certain time I was able to wander freely through the massive city that is Glastonbury Festival.
We arrived on the Thursday carrying all of our stuff (2 backpacks, our 6-man tent, air bed, sleeping bags and juggling equipment) and were dropped off on one side of the site but needed to be on the complete opposite side. The mud was so thick and sticky it took us two hours to walk across the festival to where we were going to camp. Once we got there we were tipped off to a lovely camping area called the secret orchard where we found the perfect place next to a beautiful tree. It was only later when I saw the alternative, where all the paying customers had to camp and use the toilet did I realize how damn lucky I was.
Glastonbury festival has a completely different demographic to any other festival I had been to up till this point. There were far less families. There seemed to be more students and adults who were really intrigued by getting as intoxicated as possible. There was such a sensory overload the last thing I wanted was a stimulant of any kind. The crowd seemed less generous as an audience since they could just walk away at any point and go see something else. Then again the acts were of such high quality their attention span probably had more to do with their sobriety level than anything else. There is something for everyone, all 200,000 people. I would guess a lot of people that go to Glastonbury aren't festival goers in general but go to Glastonbury because there is nothing else like it.
On the whole I would much prefer to be at a small chilled out festival with pot smokers than a huge, overwhelming fanfare amongst a bunch of loose cannons who haven't slept and pumped themselves with stimulants. That being said, all festivals are truly magical places, no matter where you go you can find a little gem of a moment, or a peaceful corner to have a intellectual conversation with a complete stranger. There is something incredibly human about camping in a field, ceasing to shower and just taking in the art, performance and music around you.
Then I went to Glastonbury festival as a plus one. This was the first festival I have done where I wasn't working but got to reap the benefits of the crew camping. Without having to be anywhere at a certain time I was able to wander freely through the massive city that is Glastonbury Festival.
We arrived on the Thursday carrying all of our stuff (2 backpacks, our 6-man tent, air bed, sleeping bags and juggling equipment) and were dropped off on one side of the site but needed to be on the complete opposite side. The mud was so thick and sticky it took us two hours to walk across the festival to where we were going to camp. Once we got there we were tipped off to a lovely camping area called the secret orchard where we found the perfect place next to a beautiful tree. It was only later when I saw the alternative, where all the paying customers had to camp and use the toilet did I realize how damn lucky I was.
Glastonbury festival has a completely different demographic to any other festival I had been to up till this point. There were far less families. There seemed to be more students and adults who were really intrigued by getting as intoxicated as possible. There was such a sensory overload the last thing I wanted was a stimulant of any kind. The crowd seemed less generous as an audience since they could just walk away at any point and go see something else. Then again the acts were of such high quality their attention span probably had more to do with their sobriety level than anything else. There is something for everyone, all 200,000 people. I would guess a lot of people that go to Glastonbury aren't festival goers in general but go to Glastonbury because there is nothing else like it.
On the whole I would much prefer to be at a small chilled out festival with pot smokers than a huge, overwhelming fanfare amongst a bunch of loose cannons who haven't slept and pumped themselves with stimulants. That being said, all festivals are truly magical places, no matter where you go you can find a little gem of a moment, or a peaceful corner to have a intellectual conversation with a complete stranger. There is something incredibly human about camping in a field, ceasing to shower and just taking in the art, performance and music around you.
Thursday 26 May 2011
3 days with Jay Gilligan and Wes Peden
By: Tess Cartwright
At the European Juggling Convention 2010 Finland, I saw one of the most mesmerizing and engaging performances. Jay Gilligan, Wes Peden, Luke Wilson, Patrik Elmnert and Erik Aberg brought their props to life in remarkable ways. I had never seen anything like it, I was on the edge of my uncomfortable stadium bleacher the entire time. I said to myself, I would love to bring them to Sheffield. A few months later I got an email from Jay Gilligan asking if Greentop would be interested in hosting a masterclass and show by Wes Peden and himself. This past week my dream became reality as I shared an incredible three days with two of the best manipulators in the world along side a diverse and inspiring group of star-struck jugglers.
I was slightly nervous about taking the workshop since my skill level is fairly basic. (I can juggle 4 balls, 4 rings, 3 clubs and I can pass fairly well) I never once felt out of place, I pushed myself in ways I never thought I would. I tried everything "If it's broken you can fix it, if you don't try, there is nothing to fix" - Jay Gilligan. Every day we challenged ourselves with new mind-boggling concepts. We could not help but smile and laugh with joy learning from Jay and Wes who are such positive and effervescent creatures. I walked away with a whole new perspective on my juggling, performance and life.
Wednesday night their show had the entire audience at Greentop blown away by their virtuosic skill, creativity and playful complicité. They created a poetic playground with their mountain of props and we were delighted to share in their joy. They bounced about the space surprising each other and keeping us guessing. The duo has the ability of serving their props and bringing them to life like no juggler I have ever seen.
The most valuable and thought provoking concept I took from my three days with Jay and Wes was philosophical. They both emanate happiness and positivity. They love what they do and put their heart and soul into it. They are so positive and focused and really connect and care about the people around them and one another. When they walked into the hall the space felt lighter. I don't aspire to be able to do all the tricks that they can but rather live life the way they seem to, believing anything is possible.
At the European Juggling Convention 2010 Finland, I saw one of the most mesmerizing and engaging performances. Jay Gilligan, Wes Peden, Luke Wilson, Patrik Elmnert and Erik Aberg brought their props to life in remarkable ways. I had never seen anything like it, I was on the edge of my uncomfortable stadium bleacher the entire time. I said to myself, I would love to bring them to Sheffield. A few months later I got an email from Jay Gilligan asking if Greentop would be interested in hosting a masterclass and show by Wes Peden and himself. This past week my dream became reality as I shared an incredible three days with two of the best manipulators in the world along side a diverse and inspiring group of star-struck jugglers.
I was slightly nervous about taking the workshop since my skill level is fairly basic. (I can juggle 4 balls, 4 rings, 3 clubs and I can pass fairly well) I never once felt out of place, I pushed myself in ways I never thought I would. I tried everything "If it's broken you can fix it, if you don't try, there is nothing to fix" - Jay Gilligan. Every day we challenged ourselves with new mind-boggling concepts. We could not help but smile and laugh with joy learning from Jay and Wes who are such positive and effervescent creatures. I walked away with a whole new perspective on my juggling, performance and life.
Wednesday night their show had the entire audience at Greentop blown away by their virtuosic skill, creativity and playful complicité. They created a poetic playground with their mountain of props and we were delighted to share in their joy. They bounced about the space surprising each other and keeping us guessing. The duo has the ability of serving their props and bringing them to life like no juggler I have ever seen.
The most valuable and thought provoking concept I took from my three days with Jay and Wes was philosophical. They both emanate happiness and positivity. They love what they do and put their heart and soul into it. They are so positive and focused and really connect and care about the people around them and one another. When they walked into the hall the space felt lighter. I don't aspire to be able to do all the tricks that they can but rather live life the way they seem to, believing anything is possible.
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