Questions

devised by the collective without punctuation

The STAR TOO performance art collective focuses on devised theatre. Methodologies vary, informed chiey by the works of Boal, Grotowski, Lecoq. Polyvalent group members engage in training periods leading up to original productions, applying skills acquired through targeted exercises and specialized sessions with guest lecturers. Observing a holistic style of learning and inviting community-based artists to impart skills that contribute to the creative process, training has comprised of: silk-dancing, illusionism (basic magic), circus-skills, yoga, contemporary dance, writing, body-building, singing, and even cat-walk modeling. (See our “About” page for samples of training sessions). Founding members of the collective in 2010 included dancers, visual artists, IT specialists, and post-graduates of university theatre studies.

To enrich their craft, performing artists are invited to learn about social or historical contexts where developments in theatre have taken place; provided booklets listing arts movements, impactful theorists and directors. General aesthetics of productions have been greatly inspired by the works of Brook, Mnouchkine, Lepage, Warner, and Wilson.

Season 1

WHERE IS HOME

Eyjafjallajökull has erupted, as indicated by a bubble-making machine sprinkling spheres. Passengers of a cloth-mode of transport (white fabric) are grounded on a runway (strip of the collective's magic carpet). Audience on either side witness their recount of home, their only baggage a 2X2 yard piece of cloth, masks, some tangerines, one another, and everyone's imagination to recreate the trees, the boats or the street corners for which they long. Sometimes, home is not even a place, but is found in a song, in another's eyes, in memory or self-reflection.

2010

Season 2

WHAT'S THE TIME

A wicked ersatz rabbit systematically sequesters dreamers with bars of foam sticks on a round playing space that is transformed into a ticking clock. There is no holding them back from conjuring their wonderland as it is high time for each of them to express that something must happen to their world. One of them is terrorized by his reflection, turned alter-ego on a big screen TV, with whom everyone interacts.

2010-2011

Season 3

WHO DID IT

A cabaret full of performers toil in a parachute, dealing with blame for actions or thoughts. As they engage in some silk-dancing and acts using a magician's vanishing table, they are questioned by inspector Claude Dumbo sitting with audience at one of the barrels encircling their round carpet.

2011

Season 4

WHAT ART THOU WEARING

Everyone a Tempest's Caliban, haplessly partaking in a fashion show that unveils the effect of being defined by the gaze of the other. Audience faces a wall-wide mirror looking at the reflection action behind them of Calibans' tales interlaced with Shakespeare's offer on how we might perceive the beastly, the native, the innocent, simply measuring by appearances. Back wall projections toy with the eyes as Calibans un-strike their poses to reflect on questions of judgement.

2011

Season 5

IS IT REAL

A giant cloth box hosts the audience immersed in scenes accompanied by projections on all 4 surrounding cloth-walls. A reality show with a twist features contestants who contest ideas of reality itself. Interaction with projections, shadow play and a giant effigy come into the space that is imagined whilst real.

2012

Season 6

ARE YOU THERE

Jules Verne's uncanny predictions may be coming true. A clandestine classroom is set up to examine the possibility that marginalising the poet, art, and music in favour of the practical depletes our chances of being fully here. Verne's Paris in the 20th Century links up with the present via Skype-ed in performances live from Paris during class time.

2013

Season 7

WHY CROSS

A giant cloth box now called the white majlis enrobes a question asked on a X-shaped playing space with witnesses seated at each of the 4 corners. Animated video art includes Michelangelo's depiction of an unnamed character found to be a female archetype everyone can become in some way at some junction in life; what we cross when we contradict the status-quo.

2014

Photo-shoot/performance art in collaboration with Parisian artist for January 2015 Alef Magazine issue:

DUBAI ART WEEK 2016: Original creation entitled OR at Al Serkal Avenue's Jam Jar, presenting an architecture collective's innovative polygon structure.

Experimenting with structures during the devising process:

Designing the White Majlis (work-in-progress)

Used in original creations 2012, 2014 - giant cloth box - cube-playing space - immersing audience in the action - 4-sides projections (+ floor) - actors' interaction with film-elements

For special corporate events with ACT TOO/ STAR TOO, visit www.acttoodubai.com. Inquire on: info@staroo.org Past projects include: