Persona // Naga Collective

Persona is a theatrical circus show, a dance on the floor and in the air. The show is both a praise to vulnerability and a call for connection.

Project visual Persona // Naga Collective
Successful
49
Contributions
17/03/2018
End date
€4.000
Out of €4.000
100 %

Persona // Naga Collective

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p>Can we be too pathetic, too clumsy, too idiotic, too unstable, too needy... to be loved?</p><p>What is the price to pay not to be left behind?</p><p>What are we ready to accept in others?</p><p> </p><p><img alt="_dsc6329_2-1507711125" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/457202/_DSC6329_2-1507711125.jpg"></p><p>Photo: Bernard Boccara</p><p> </p><p><strong>WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT YOU? WHAT MAKES PERSONA SO SPECIAL?</strong></p><p>Persona is a theatrical circus show, a dance on the floor and in the air. The show is both a praise to vulnerability and a call for connection. In Persona we bounce on the C.G. Jung’s theory of the persona/shadow as a way to dive into human vulnerability.</p><p>From the floor to the air, the multilayered world of Persona is one where the soul turns upside down and back to front as instinct rises.</p><p>Twisting bodies inhabit the ground through contortion, handbalancing and acrodance, as heights are taken by hair-suspension and vertical rope. On the stage, the imposing structure of a 6 meters long semi-pendular Chinese pole creates a space of conflict and an opportunity for closeness. Our four characters navigate these spaces alone and together, often depending on each other. This swinging motion between solitude and collaboration creates the dance that makes Persona a piece about singularity as much as community. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img alt="Bernardboccara2-1507712244" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/457233/BernardBoccara2-1507712244.jpg"> Photo: Bernard Boccara</p><p> </p><p>The show starts from a seemingly innocuous, every day scene that explodes and spreads; the audience is invited to look closely and see the cracks in the characters and their relations. We encourage the spectator to travel into their inner worlds, hearts and minds and discover their true natures as they come afloat, sometimes softly, sometimes violently. We portray these four individuals with both humor and solemnity. Flawed and puzzled, fragile and brave, we let their stories unfold and get tangled as they are left with nothing else but themselves and the others.</p><p> </p><p><img alt="Fabienneantomarchi5-1507712314" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/457239/FabienneAntomarchi5-1507712314.jpg"></p><p>Photo: Fabienne Antomarchi</p><p> </p><p><strong>WHAT THE PRESS HAS SAID ABOUT US</strong></p><p><em>"I see four highly-trained bodies embrace the space, own the space, using the floor, the air, their own and other’s bodies, the equipment. I see circus tricks and turns – Chinese pole, contortion, hair-hanging, acrobalance – but more, much more. I see the playing out of female identity and human  relationships; I see an exploration of the joys and challenges of circus; I see and feel and respond to the humour in the game-playing we are offered, and the observation of what it is that makes us human.</em></p><p>[…]</p><p><em>Persona</em><em> is a superb piece of contemporary circus-theatre, exploring identity, challenging gender stereotypes, and celebrating femininity in all its complexity. The circus skills are top-notch; the scenography and theatrical staging of those skills inventive; and the onstage combination of all elements of sound, image and physical action carefully thought through – although by no means a linear narrative, </em><em>Persona</em><em> has a dramaturgical logic which is pleasing: it is far more than the sum of its very able parts. The piece was created collectively by the four women performers, joined offstage by director/dramaturg Virginie Strub."</em> <strong>Excerpt of Dorothy Max Prior's article talking about Persona's long form - Total Theater - November 2018</strong>  </p><p> </p><p>“<em>The dimension of pain is more explicit in Persona, a 20 minute circus show presented by Naga Collective, that puts on stage four women looking to come to terms with, on one side, their bodies, and on another, with themselves. With a simple scenography, created mainly with ropes and handbalancing cannes, bodies separate, twist, are subjected to unbearable torments. They suffer, each in its own way, and express through risky acrobatic movements: bending their backs, holding upside down from a rope, being dragged through stage, falling to get back up... The pain continues until the moment where the four bodies learn to connect, get together and fusion.” </em></p><p><strong>Excerpt of Diana Tass’ article talking about Persona’s short form- Blog Le Suricate - March 2017 </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img alt="22424250_10154857904682050_8634445466901013175_o-1508172802" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/458633/22424250_10154857904682050_8634445466901013175_o-1508172802.jpg"></p><p>Photo: Thor Hauknes</p><p> </p><p><strong>WHO ARE WE?</strong></p><p>Naga Collective is a Belgian company founded by four artists graduated of the Lido de Toulouse and ESAC in Brussels: Norwegian fearless strongwoman Mari Stoknes, Italian hurricane of optimism Viola Baroncelli, Finnish sassy freak Jatta Borg and Mexican geek with attitude María José Cázares.</p><p>Though our roots are multiple, Naga Collective embodies the spirit of Brussels, where most of our team is based; plural, mixed and vibrant, it is a melting pot only strengthened by the diversity in its heritages and the backgrounds of its members.</p><p>Our goal is to create a sensitive, explorative kind of circus, one that enters dialogue with other artistic forms and allows us to twist and rediscover our own disciplines and reinvent our work. We aim to create projects that can travel beyond borders and are both bold and playful.</p><p>Hence our name.</p><p>Inspired by the Spice Girls and the naga jolokia pepper, our name emphasizes our will to defy, mock and rebel against the myth that female artists necessarily speak about femininity, and feminine collectives are automatically “girly”.</p><p> </p><p><img alt="22499015_10154857905962050_1557728623407389484_o-1508234175" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/458823/22499015_10154857905962050_1557728623407389484_o-1508234175.jpg"></p><p>Photo: Thor Hauknes</p><p> </p><p><strong>CREDITS</strong></p><p>Conception, creation and performance : Viola Baroncelli, Jatta Borg, Maria José Cázares &amp; Mari Stoknes</p><p>Dramaturgy and mise en scène : Virginie Strub</p><p>Artistic collaborators : Joris Baltz, Chloé Beillevaire, Sara Lemaire, Catherine Magis, Hanna Filomen Mjåvatn</p><p>Set design and construction: Virginie Strub &amp; Viola Baroncelli</p><p>Costume creation and design: Eugénie Poste.</p><p>Light design: Jere Mönkkönen</p><p>Music and sound design: Iannis Héaulme</p><p>Rigging manager : Mari Stoknes</p><p>Stage technician: Jere Mönkkönen or Virginie Strub</p><p>Administration, Production and Communication : María José Cázares</p><p>Diffusion :  Espace Catastrophe / Thomas Steygers</p><p>Production : Naga Collective, TRABEM asbl</p><p>Associated production : Espace Catastrophe - Centre International de Création des Arts du Cirque (BE)</p><p>Coproduction : Maison de la culture de Tournai – Centre Culturel Transfrontalier (BE) // CAS Centre des Arts Scéniques (BE) With the support of: Service du Cirque, des Arts forains et de la Rue, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (BE) // Fond National Pour la Culture et les Arts - FONCA (MX) Partners: Centre Culturel Wolubilis (BE) // Latitude 50 - Pôle arts du cirque et de la rue (BE) // Théâtre 140 (BE) // Espace Catastrophe (BE) // Cité Culture (BE) // La Grainerie - fabrique des arts du cirque et de l’itinérance (FR) // Festival Internacional de Circo y Chou - FiCHo (MX) // Airesis (MX) // AgriSirkus (FI) // ILES Artist Project (BE) //  Théâtre National - Festival XS (BE) // Bureau International Jeunesse – Programme Artichok (BE) // Cracovia 32 (Mx) // Cirko de Mente (MX) // ITESO (MX) // Zinneke asbl (BE) // CIRCollaborative Tools</p><p>Acknowledgements : Christophe Wullus, Pauline Hervouet, Julia Emmery, Fabienne Antomarchi, Tom Lacoste, Bernard Boccara, Toivo Kautto, Justine Saur, Valpuri Kaarninen, Erik Glas &amp; Jaimee Allen.</p><p> </p>

Allocation of funds

<p><strong>Despite the support of our partners</strong>, <em>Espace Catastrophe (BE), FONCA (MEX), Centre des Arts Scéniques (BE), CIRCollaborative Tools(FR/BE), Service du Cirque, des arts Forains et des Arts de la Rue (BE), Bureau International Jeunesse (BE)​,</em> <strong>and our personal finances, we are still missing 4000 euros before the first creation of our company can see the daylight.</strong></p><p> </p><p>​This 4000 euros will first of all be used to pay the rest of the salaries of our dramaturge, composer and light designer, for who for the moment we haven't been able to pay for the real value of their work. And after to buy the necessary technical and safety equipment, that we have had to rent or borrow until this point.</p><p> </p><p>We are in need of:</p><p>-Rigging equipment – Carabiners, ropes, pullies, slings and swivels.    </p><p>-Reconstruction of scenography  </p><p>-Lighting filters and equipment</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>4000 euros goes to:</strong>  </p><p><strong>-8% KissKissBankBank  </strong></p><p><strong>-80% salaries of the collaborators  </strong></p><p><strong>-12% equipment</strong></p>

Rewards

€10

  • 6 contributions
Our eternal gratitude

Estimated delivery: November 2017

€25

  • 9 contributions
Our eternal gratitude, your name on our website and Facebook page as an official supporter of the project and a personalized "thank you" postcard from our current location!

Estimated delivery: April 2018

€50

  • 11 contributions
Our eternal gratitude, your name on our website and Facebook page as an official supporter of the project and a personalized "thank you" postcard from our current location! Plus your very own “Thank you” video by one of us (in French, English, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish or Swedish!)

Estimated delivery: April 2018

€75

  • 2 contributions
A personalized postcard from the company, official Naga Collective sticker and an official Naga Collective tote bag!

Estimated delivery: March 2018

€100

  • 4 contributions
A personalized postcard from the company, an official Naga Collective sticker and an official Naga Collective t-shirt!

Estimated delivery: May 2018

€150

  • 2 contributions
A personalized postcard from the company, official Naga Collective tote bag and Naga Collective t-shirt! AND a ticket to one of our performances!

Estimated delivery: May 2018

€200

  • 3 contributions
A personalized postcard from the company, official Naga Collective tote bag and Naga Collective t-shirt. Plus you'll get one free ticket to one of our performances and some stickers and our poster!

Estimated delivery: April 2018

€500

    Two official Naga Collective t-shirts and four tickets for one of our performances!

    Estimated delivery: May 2018

    €750

      An official Naga Collective tote bag, four tickets for one of our performances and hand-knitted gloves by Mari or socks by Jatta

      Estimated delivery: May 2018

      €1.000

        An official Naga Collective tote bag, four tickets for one of our performances, an original illustration by Majo and you’ll be invited to join us backstage for our after-show toast!

        Estimated delivery: May 2018

        €2.000

        An official Naga Collective tote bag, four tickets for one of our performances, you’ll be cited as an official co-producer to the show, you’ll be invited have diner with us after the show, and a one-to-one circus class straight from us when we pass by a city near you!

        Estimated delivery: April 2018

        €5.000

        An official Naga Collective tote bag, four tickets for one of our performances, you’ll be cited as an official co-producer to the show, you’ll be invited have diner with us after the show, a one-to-one circus class straight from us when we pass by a city near you and the show’s story board, straight from the hand and pen of our director, Virginie Strub!

        Estimated delivery: May 2018

        €7.000

        An official Naga Collective tote bag, four tickets for one of our performances, you’ll be cited as an official co-producer to the show, you’ll be invited have diner with us after the show, a one-to-one circus class straight from us when we pass by a city near you…. And a very special, one-of-a-kind art piece made by us.

        Estimated delivery: May 2018

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