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Performances

“Moon Cove” Throwback Tale

Completely pleased with the new work I’ve done with the Moon Cove digital projection — it truly looks better than ever: great new images, enhanced editing, and my latest equipment/software combination is superb. I’ve got three more performances in this run.

The projection wasn’t always so rosy, however. It’s always been a thorn in my side. Here’s a look back at one of the most notable projection issues I’ve had with this show:

Moon Cove debuted at the fifteenth Dramarama festival, which was in April 2008 at the Contemporary Arts Center. That rendition of the performance, while important to do, was a bit of a disaster. My nerves were shot and I kind of destroyed the script while onstage. Additionally, an issue with the projection arose. The projected images are supposed to make it appear that I’m standing in a landscape, with the images preferably six or more feet in height, starting from stage level — the projection is the “scenery.”

But about twenty minutes before showtime, I found out that due to the position of the images via rear projection, it would indeed be seen from the floor level of the stage as planned — but the projection would only be about two and a half feet tall.

Seriously.

She's not so scary when she's tiny.
She’s not so scary when she’s so tiny

I felt like I was in the Stonehenge scene in This is Spinal Tap. It was ridiculous. I performed the show awkwardly, trying to keep from blocking the projection completely with my legs.

After the performance, my younger sister, who had been distributing playbills, whispered a deadpan joke: “You know, all you had to do was just step on that fifolet.” I laughed … but that night was pure agony.

“I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem may have been that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being crushed by a dwarf.”

– David St. Hubbins, This is Spinal Tap

 

Three more shows! Performances info is on the Moon Cove page.

Three Weekends of “Moon Cove”

2008_mooncove_toussaintThe latest, never-before-seen version of my original solo show Moon Cove will be onstage in just a few short weeks!

I’m proud to say that Moon Cove has gradually become a mix of the best of my works’ qualities: strong experimental performing arts, meticulous detail in atmosphere, character, and physical execution, recent advances in digital projection technology, and story elements that are (from what I’m often told) intricate, emotionally intense, fairly eerie, and a bit of a head trip. (Heheh.)

You know, one of the most exciting things about this show for me has been the many incarnations in which it has existed. I think I can safely say this is, at the very least, the sixth draft of Moon Cove. I’m really feeling the home stretch, as if this may be the final, best version. For example, in 2015 I got some great insights from a trusted loved one that helped me take the script apart and put it back together again … which resulted in a stronger, spookier, and overall more potent version. That was incredibly satisfying! One of the playhouseNOLA combo imagesmany things that happened during that process? I rearranged the scenes!! The story still happens in relatively the same order, but the new order of the scenes made unbelievably strong differences that I’m so pleased with.

Additionally, I’m (as always) refining both the digital projection footage into something much more impressive through re-edits and added imagery, and by obtaining better technology all the time … new equipment, software, etc. These elements also appear to be reaching their apex, which is a dream come true, as Moon Cove is so personal and important for me.

And of course, the actual performance that I physically do live onstage every time Moon Cove is presented evolves all the time, into a more powerful entity, like a muscle being honed. Which can’t happen without the spectators in each and every audience. It’s a give-and-take, back and forth, which generates creativity through the most pure, human means possible.

But to be deadly honest here: quite unfortunately, as many times as I’ve performed Moon Cove, very few people have actually seen it. So if you haven’t yet seen it, this is the ultimate time to do so. And if you have seen it, then I thank you deeply for being one of those special folks, and I humbly request that you join my marketing effort, and spread the word (and perhaps you’d enjoy checking out a different, more exciting version yourself?). Tell all those you know who appreciate unique experiences!

Because those who have seen earlier versions of Moon Cove in the past have really said great things about it … not to mention the positive press reviews, which you can read on my website!

Moon Cove details are located on my artist website here, including a full description of the show, its performance history, and info on the upcoming run. Also, be sure to check out the trailer video, also there!

The latest shows will run for three weekends on Fridays & Saturdays at 9pm, from July 29 – August 13. Tickets are $10 and performances will take place at Playhouse NOLA, 3214 Burgundy Street, in downtown New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood. I’ve included images of the space just for fun.

REALLY hope to see you all there!

Love, Amy