PERFROMERS AND WORKSHOP GUIDES
The P.A.Collective is a group of artists who offer performances, workshops, and retreats with art and the creative imagination as tools for exploration, personal development and rejuvenation. All of us in the collective use the arts and the art of prayer and meditation as an integrating force in our personal lives. We come from a diverse range of spiritual backgrounds and study the universal truths that bring us together in wholesome ways. Our work is rooted in nature and takes the art experience into an exploration of individual and collective potential of the human spirit. Our goal in every event we share is to provide a joy break and to offer simple tools that transform stress into vitality. We work and play on the pathway of kindness.
Maria Formolo is a performance artist, educator and writer. She has a Master’s degree from Northern Michigan University in individualized study. Her B.A. is in art and theater from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. She currently teaches at Northern Michigan University and is known as a performance artist and workshop leader. She has had a long career as an artistic director, dancer and choreographer in Canada with many awards for her original works before relocating to Marquette Michigan where she was born. Her work is rooted in nature and the elements. Maria has researched and written the scripts for the Five Dakinis and Dancing the Heaven~Earth Spiral.
Jen Pickard is a mother of three boys and one girl, a teacher, gardener, and musician. She spends much time in nature with her children and husband where they live near the Yellow Dog River near Big Bay in the upper peninsula of Northern Michigan. Jen is a Chi Gong practitioner and guides meditations for both children and adults. She speaks Spanish and English and is an inventive cook who makes good food on a low budget using recipes that are balanced protein with healthy snacks and sweet treats.
Laura Nagle Laura is a peaceful spirit who exudes positive energy as a life practice. She is currently studying at Northern Michigan University to be a Nurse. Laura received an Associate in Science and Art from North Western Michigan College in Traverse City. She is an avid singer, song writer, and dancer. Laura hopes to incorporate music and dance into her future healthcare practice as nurse. She is a member of the drum group Logjam and loves to get people excited about the native beat from within. She also sings with woman in the community to bring awareness to Mother Earth and our connection to this world.
Performances
Dancing the Heaven~Earth Spiral
&
Elemental Angels: the Dakinis of Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Space
Both of these performance events are a vibrant and energetic blend of story, dance, song and drum rhythms that reach across cultures to trigger the wisdom that shines within each of us. The performances work well for all ages and can be adapted for younger children. Younger children with parent or teacher are intrigued and entertained by the many changes in mood, music, dance, masks and costumes. It is an excellent event for further discussion on the themes presented. Each piece is approximately 50 minutes not counting audience participation and discussion with the artists.
A full length performance with a short intermission presents both works and includes a story telling/music event from an African healing tradition. This performance ends with an invitation for the audience to get up and join a snake dance that opens into free dance. A DVD clip of actual performance events is available upon request as well as more detailed description, script and art work.
Festival Performances are events at art shows and other cultural events. We also work in a school or building where the musicians and dancers sing and dance as they walk, stopping at set locations for dance and music events. Costumes and masks are colorful and evocative. The themes are of honoring and dancing with Spirit and Nature from world cultural traditions. The performers interact with audiences and other performers with sensitivity. Our intent is to bring happiness and joy in all seasons.
Performance Requirements: The performance works well in intimate settings such as small theaters or a room with open performance space and good acoustics. Outdoor performances are designed and adapted to festival situations where the performers travel or are stationary.
For more information and bookings contact Maria Formolo mformolo@nmu.edu
906 377 8868 or 906 227 2130 messages
Dancing the Heaven~Earth Spiral
This is a performance event based on the Taoist Five Elements Theory which is the philosophy behind Tai Chi and Qi Gong practices designed to transforms stress into vitality.
Each Season is associated with organs of the body and negative and positive emotions that affect the body chemistry. A ten minute guided meditation opens the performance which is filled with songs, dance and a poetical script. The audience has an experience of rejuvenation and fun. The program includes a brief description of the guided meditation so those who wish can use it. The performance can be done in sections or take the journey through Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer and Harvest. The full performance is approximately fifty minutes including the opening guided meditation. Taoist theory is based on deep observations of the natural world and the human being in harmony with the cosmos. The contemporary research into cognitive science and the observations of the new biology and physics explains these ancient theories as a current scientific reality.
The Nubian Woman
This is a story telling theater based on an African soul retrieval story documented by Laurens Vander Post. It is about 10 minutes in the telling and leaves the audience with much to discuss and think about. It holds timeless wisdom encased in a good story with
Workshops and Master Classes
Workshop with the Expressive Arts as Creative Relaxation
Sample Workshop
· A performance of either Dancing the Heaven~Earth Spiral or Elemental Angels: the Dakinis of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Space with dance, drum, story, songs by the workshop guides. This could be a public event presented the evening before the workshop or open the workshop day. This performance serves as a lively introduction of the work and the workshop guides.
· gathering circle for introductions and setting the intention of the day.
· Tai Chi and Chi Qong movement focusing on the elemental of Air, breath of body, breath of spirit and the all pervading Life in Space.
· an expressive art experience with drawing/painting and writing focused on the element of Earth and the Trees.
· lunch break
· drum and dance to honor the healing element of Fire that leads into a story telling performance by the workshop guides. The story ends in a Water song that all can join in with movement, voice or rain stick and rattle instruments.
· closing circle and dedication of the work.
Each workshop and performance event is tailor made to the situation and designed with the event sponsor. Handouts and a song CD can be given for exploration beyond the workshop sharing. This event provides a safe space, free of critics. Techniques explored are for personal use, or adapted for teachers, caregivers, councilors and artists. Children are welcome with parents and mixed age groups work well in this format.
Requirements are a comfortable room with natural lighting and space to move. Chairs for each participant are needed as well as a larger table for the art project. The performance can be done as intimate theater with no technical requirements or as a stage event in small theatre setting.
Tony Stone 3729 Fence River Road, Republic MI. 49879
All of us in the collective use the arts and the art of prayer and meditation as an integrating force in our personal lives. We come from a diverse range of spiritual backgrounds and study the universal truths that bring us together in wholesome ways. Our work is rooted in nature and takes the art experience into an exploration of individual and collective potential of the human spirit. Our goal in every event we share is to provide a joy break and to offer simple tools that transform stress into vitality. We work and play on the pathway of kindness.
