Darling! Immerse yourself in the grandeur of opera with DRAMARAMA: Queering Opera Narratives, a Research workshop finely crafted for seasoned dancers, choreographers and artists who fancy themselves connaisseurs of the dramatic. With emotive fervour and performative flair, we embark upon a journey through lyrical melodies and flamboyant crescendos, where opulence reigns supreme and resonance lingers in the air. And through a queer lens, we shall reveal the clandestine tales and camp nuances hidden within, reshaping perceptions for devotees and detractors alike, and debunking those stubborn, inflexible, outdated(!) normative narratives – leaving opera lovers and haters alike in awe of our fabulous revelations. Join us on this odyssey where drama entwines with camp, birthing a tapestry of expression and artistry unlike any other!
We focus on specific opera repertoire titles and shall do more than merely scratch the surface, darling! We shall delve deep into their narratives, dissecting them with the precision of an experienced surgeon. What shall emerge from this splendid exploration? The archetypal characters themselves, ready to possess our very bodies and transport us to realms unknown! Through the alchemy of the ‘Hermetic Androgyne’ – the spirit of DRAMARAMA – we embark on a wondrous journey into the dimensions of Divine Femininity and Divine Masculinity and we shall transcend the limitations of roles and illusions, embracing instead the sublime essence of wholeness and perfection…. exciting times ahead!
With a delightful array of body-based practices at our disposal, we shall glide into a mesmerising, organic research flow. From deep music listening to creation of dance routine choreography, from performative rituals to mass choreography, from archetypal constellations to urban landscape exploration, from instant composition to lip-syncing re-enactments… ours is the canvas upon which we shall paint the most enchanting scenes!
Putting our fearless hands to work we explore operatic queerness through an aesthetic lens. Using different kinds of paper and found materials we craft sets and costumes using an intuitive and creative approach. According to that delightful José Esteban Muñoz, darling, queerness isn’t just about the mundane ‘here and now’. Oh no, it’s a majestic proclamation of possibility, a declaration of another world just waiting to burst forth! In his divine work, ‘Cruising Utopia’, he whispers sweet nothings about this very notion. And oh, how we shall heed his call! Our mission? To sprinkle that glittering wisdom over the grand stage of Opera, darling!
So, if you’re aiming for fabulous gigs at prestigious opera houses or if you’re delving into the boundless aesthetic realms of experimental music theatre; if the legendary Maria Callas graces your dreams by night or quite frankly, if you’re just a fervent Lover of all things emotive – then this field project is an absolute must for you.
Let’s make magic happen, shall we?
The workshop is open to dancers, choreographers, artists and creatives at all levels of their artistic development and dance abilities. The only pre-requisite is having attended an opera evening at least once in your life. So go grab a ticket, honey!
As part of the application process, please answer the following questions:
Write a brief motivational letter on where you are in your artistic journey, practice, life moment – anything you’d like to share with us that feels relevant to you – and add a photograph of yourself.
