Ladyfinger at High Spirits, March 19-23, 2014

You are invited to join Dawn Albinger and Julie Robson for a five-day voyage of creative discovery, March 19 - 23, 2014.

Drawing on processes used to create one-woman shows and ensemble productions, and using Ladyfinger’s research into the voice of the of the sirens, this fully-catered retreat will include:

• processes for opening to your own creative impulses,

• writing and physical explorations (in-door and in nature),

• perceptual practices, breath awareness and vocal strategies,

• storytelling with word, image and sound,

• meditation and ritual.

Participants will explore ways in which to transform life experience into contemporary performance material. Open to both novices and experienced performers, this creative lab deliciously weaves the craft of living with the craft of theatre. It offers time and space for deep reflection as well as rigorous exploration and experimentation. All participants can expect to take their first steps towards conceptualising the premise and scene-work for a solo show.

Prices:

Returning participants: $990

New participants: $1190

Places are limited. For more information and to book please contact Dawn Albinger on

d.albinger@gmail.com

Dawn Albinger trained as an actor at Victorian College of Arts and has worked as performance practitioner for over twenty years, creating numerous solos and ensemble works. She has University. Dawn also co-facilitates the annual Spirit of Woman intensives run by High Spirits Retreat. She has co-founded the performance group Sacred COW, as well as the women in theatre network Magdalena Australia. She was artistic director of the inaugural 2003 International Magdalena Australia Festival, Theatre- Women-Travelling. Dawn has undertaken doctoral studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, investigating the Diva icon and its usefulness to feminist theatre praxis.

Following her degree in theatre and education at Queensland University of Technology, Julie Robson initiated and worked extensively in vocal, jazz and theatre ensembles, including a cappella troupe Sister Moon Ensemble, Tokyo-based jazz trio Honeybeeswing, and performance group sacred COW. She also co-founded Magdalena Australia. When she completed her doctoral studies on siren vocality and female sound, she was appointed the author and coordinator of the Contemporary Performance course at Edith Cowan University where she produced numerous original works. Julie then became a postdoctoral fellow at ECU, focusing on innovation and the arts. She has served as a board member for the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and remains an advisor to PICA’s performance and education programs.

High Spirits Retreat is set the lush rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, 1.5 hours north of Brisbane. Accommodation is simple but comfortable with four participants per room. Each room has its own bathroom. Meals are served in the main house, a Queenslander set high with wrap-around verandahs and stunning views. Indoor activities take place in the hall and outdoor activities on the property and nearby walks. There is a salt-water swimming pool and a sauna for swimmers and sweaters - why not choose to de-tox while you stay? The menu will fresh, delicious and largely vegetarian. Tea and coffee will be available but as High Spirits usually functions as a health retreat, there will be no alcohol.