By
helen on September 27th, 2009
Posted in creativity, life update | No Comments »
Since I don’t seem capable of removing myself from my couch today, I thought I might have a go at blogging.
Last night was part one of staging our final Impact events before we enter a life without Breakthru’ Artz next year. Today is filled with mixed emotions, as is pretty normal the day after a big show. But I guess they’re a little more highlighted in light of it being a season of lasts. On one hand I’m releived it’s all over because it’s all such hard work. On the other hand it’s such a privilege to be part of seeing kids having a ball and exploring creativity and community. It’s hard to let it go.
Last night was our second attempt to do a Kids Impact and it’s just way fun to do a whole lot of kiddy things like you get to relive your childhood. And it’s so rewarding to watch kids respond to seemingly simple things with laughter and excitement. I’ve really enjoyed watching Jon in his element these last few weeks putting this together. He has a real gift for making children laugh and capturing their imaginations. And his sets were really cool. One of my favourite moments was when part of the cardboard box factory transformed into a rocket ship with some simple snake lights, UV lights and a drop sheet on a fishing wire. I could hear the audience with the ooh’s and ah’s from where I was in the wings!
We were back at Covenant hall which was kind of nice because it sent me down memory lane to earlier Impacts in that same space. Although this one was unique in that it included activities and sets and roving characters across the entire space. So walking in was like walking into outer space. So magical! Go the fairy lights and Uv lights with glo in the dark paint!
It wasn’t the easiet of events to put together. Or pack down. In some ways we overshot our capacity and just didn’t quite have the man power we needed. So at least I’m not jumping up and down saying ‘let’s do it again!’. In some ways that’s good because we’re not. As we packed up for hours, it was a good feeling knowing that we’d given our best shot, that it was a really special night, and it was ok to let it be and not return to it.
One of the themes of the night was fair trade and anti-child labour. So we finally got around to ordering our etiko sweat-free shoes this week and wore them all day. Trouble with new shoes when you’re on your feet all day is they kill your feet! Bad move. I mean good move…to be consistent with the values of what we’re saying from the stage, right? Oh that feeling of taking rubbish up to the skips in pain will stay with me. Oh yeah.
The end of the show was a bit surreal. I hadn’t really thought about it being the last as the day had enough worries and adventures of its own. So standing on stage thanking people for the last 10 years was a bit wierd. I got given the biggest bunch of flowers I’ve ever seen. I could barely hold them up. Still trying to work out what to do with them!
On reflection another highlight from last night was seeing 2 young adults who were part of the first kids team now leading the kids team with confidence and gentleness. There’s something really beautiful about watching a cycle of leadership, knowing that something of what you’ve passed on, continues to be passed on. It reminds me that the future may take a different shape, but lessons from the past will always walk with us.
So what will I miss about breakthru’ kids and impact?
I’ll miss the excitement of show night through the eyes of a child.
I’ll miss praying for the kids in the cast meeting, nervous not knowing how they’ll respond to prayer, but feeling a sense of joy as I share my heart and passion with them to see God involved in our art.
I’ll miss teaching kids about performing as a gift. A gift to the audience. And a gift for those less fortunate.
I’ll miss seeing a community of the body of Christ stepping up and shining in the gifts they’re been given to work together for his glory. The young and the not so young serving each other.
I’ll miss the silliness, craziness and creativity that’s unique to working with kids. Adults just get a bit serious.
I’ll miss encouraging and training kids to find their own creativity and ways of expressing it.
I’ll miss parents saying ‘this is so different, the kids love it’
And so that’s kids impact 09. Blast Off! One small step and one giant leap.
‘Blast off! We’ve been exploring the sky
Blast off! And now it’s time to say bye
So much laughter, so much fun
So thanks for coming everyone
As we blast off!’
Part 2 of the end will be here in just 4 weeks. I hope we can find the energy to keep going. Really want to end well.
By
helen on January 11th, 2008
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My end of my holidays is fast approaching. Monday it’s back to work.
Yesterday we had the most wonderful of adventure days. We drove to Mt Tomah, the cold climate part of the Botanic Gardens on the Lithgow side of the Blue Mountians. It was beautiful. Seems we did a world tour of vegetation and flora. We began amongst the trees of North America (my favourite) and headed through the plant life of Australia, Africa, South America, East Asia and a landscaped formal garden of Europe. It felt very adventurous. I love doing a drive out of Sydney and experience lots of green open spaces. It’s good for the soul. We bought a tray of nectarines, freshly picked that day from an orchid in Bilpin. Oh yeah.
Then it was off to a Sydney Festival dance work with Jen. The piece was called Construct by Tanja Liedtke (the to be Sydney Dance co director who passed away a few months ago). It was an amazing work of art. Filled with comedy, commentary, character and story. I loved it. It gave me faith again in the world of contemporary dance. It connected. Not all contemporary dance does. And the audience loved it. I’m inspired.
Other holiday adventures have included…
staring at the ocean at avalon
walking Bangalley headland
playing board games whilst staring at the ocean
west wing season 7
swimming at coogee
koorong
reading books, drawing pictures & snoozing in Lane Cove River Park
welcoming Dave, DJ & Amalie to Sydney
Helen & Mike in town
the Swans in town
PS I Love You with DJ, Hornsby Greater Union
The Golden Compass with Jon, Entertainment Quarter
coffee, coffee, breakfast, coffee
an ipod and a toasted sandwich maker….go gift vouchers!
a contemporary class at Mango dance
a jog
walks on the beach
creative journalling
reading a book
Some time well spent.
I’m trying really hard not to be scared of next week.
I think 2008 is going to be a really big year.
By
helen on November 26th, 2007
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today was hectic
but i think we’ll get there
i even think it will be fun
nerve racking
but fun
By
helen on June 4th, 2007
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Sat night we had our first full run of the show after a year and a half of preparation. Scary. Exciting.
Afterwards Matt & I had a really interesting chat about the vulnerability that comes with being an artist.
You spend your life pouring your heart and soul into creating something in your own space and then at some point in time you put it out there in the world for people to judge. Ouch.
I’ve been trying to retrain my brain with an alternative perspective….
The Creator God created us with incredible abilities to reflect his own creativity. In fulfilling his purpose for us on earth, we use that creativity to create unique creative things to bring glory to the Creator. And we invite other created and creative people to enjoy and celebrate with us what God has given us. And we trust that his Spirit will be at work in us and what we create to redeem us and bring glory to himself.
SO I keep flipping between the 2 mindsets. But I feel better when I’m in the second. The first may be true. But the 2nd gives perspective and purpose.
By
helen on May 15th, 2007
Posted in creativity | 2 Comments »
I really enjoyed being a teacher today.
By
helen on May 3rd, 2007
Posted in college, creativity | 1 Comment »
Today was back to college. 3 weeks felt like a long time. Back into the swing of things. I’m starting to feel less like a foreigner again.
This term I’m playing both lecturer and student. Shall be interesting to negotiate both roles. Should be fun though. Feel like I’m about to go on a whole new journey with creativity and ministry. I kind of feel in some ways completely out of my depth. But in other ways exactly where I’m suppose to be right now. Exploring.
Met a girl today from somewhere out of Sydney who’s now at college who was given a video of Breakthru’ Artz by her friend who heard me speak at a conference in 2001. She recognised me from the video. Random. And embarrassing! Not that proud of what we were doing 6 years ago! Funny though.
Speaking of which, we’re having an Xtreme Dance (precursor to Breakthru’ Artz) reunion on Fri night in which we plan to look at videos back to 1999. Fun.
Joyful, joyful
Lord we adore thee
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee
Hail thee as the Son above…
Coloured people and we live in a tainted place
Coloured people and they call us the human race
We’ve got a history so full of mistakes…
Ah the memories.
By
helen on May 1st, 2007
Posted in creativity | 1 Comment »
the books
the songs
the dances
of
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Narration - Jon Wright
Dance - Helen Wright
Voice - Benjamin Lomes
Flute - Karen Loomes
Piano - Nancy Hoskings
Cello - Rosalind Graham
Sat May 5th 8pm
At The O’Kelly Drama Theatre
St Ignatius’ College
Riverview
Tambourine Bay Rd
Lane Cove
Tickets $22 Concession $17
All are welcome!