Been here unbelievably just 48 hours; it feels like so much more. In beautiful Highland Lake, in upstate New York, near the Catskills, this old country house we get to live in for a week is perfectly lovely. Living and breathing and creating ensemble and solo work for the past two days has been deliciously satiating.

Here's a little summary of the work thus far:
After a hearty breakfast, starting in the mornings with the "Animal" work which is physical training and ensemble building through rigorous spatial relations and awareness listening exercises for three and a half hours. We've also been working on strengthening our "core" muscles around the spine and in the pelvis and each learning how to achieve one-minute handstands. The "Vegetable" work which includes vocal training has been enlightening. Getting into the minutia of where our voices resonate and learning to sing simple international songs a cappella in three-part harmony brings about more listening skills than most non-musical actors tend to experience.

Then after a delicious lunch (we all take turns cooking and cleaning all week), the afternoon is dedicated to the "Mineral" work which is all about creating. Yesterday we were given an assignment to create a three-minute solo composition comprising of only one sentence, 5 changes of speed, 3 moments of pause and a surprise. I felt like I was on a reality show challenge like "On The Lot" where one of their assignments was to shoot/edit whole films in maybe one hour. Embarking on this daunting task was an excellent challenge. The results for all of us was delightful and extremely interesting. After the first day, I already created the skeleton of a a brand new solo piece! (For those close to me, they know I've been hemmin' and hawin' for the last four years about expanding my "Don't Tell Your Father" solo work.)

This morning and throughout the day, due to all the physical training and running in bare feet (in their gorgeous theater converted from a church), I've been battling sore muscles drenched in lactic acid. My quaint room is on the third floor of this historic former resort next door to the theater and I look like a performance piece in itself just coming down the stairs for breakfast in the morning.

Been swimming in the lake for refreshment in between trainings. Great group of people ranging in age from 19 to early 50s, from all over the US, Canada and Greece.

More later on...