Devising Aerial Stories with Mara Neimanis

This workshop will investigate the layered kinesthetic territory of creating stories off the ground using suspended metal aerial sculpture as environmental realms of play. Students will gain a three dimensional approach to devising story, character, choices of action, and strategies of play that includes the relationship of object, gravity, and risk. The workshop will expand techniques in physical organization and body awareness, while developing the student’s receptive and expressive skills. We will apply our findings in devising new usages for aerial technique tied with gesture, text, and communication on stage. The workshop will be augmented by The Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education® as a modality for injury prevention and a way to integrate physical awareness, movement break down, and improved self -use.

Mara Neimanis is a guild certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and creates theatre in the air using mounted and suspended steel sculptures. Integrating training in Clown, Mask, Commedia Dell’Arte, and Feldenkrais, her work blends text, character and context to explore the rich imaginative space between ground and air. Mara teaches aerials, ensemble development, and physical theatre at Niagara University and is a commissioned artist at The Cherry Arts, Ithaca NY where she is currently based. Other commissions include grants from the Deutsch Foundation, Baltimore City, New York State Council of the Arts, and The Ruby Artist awards to name a few. Mara has a long history creating site specific work in Baltimore, Costa Rica, and in California as well as for Pixar Animation studios. She is currently engaged in a contract with Rutledge Press London in creating a book about aerials and identity. Mara served as a company member of Dell’Arte International for 10 years and is part of the lineage of aerial dance pioneer, Terry Sendgraff with whom she mentored with for a decade.