Luminaria walk at Copp Family Farm last night, October 4th –
magic was indeed afoot!
yay Aarya, Anna, Grace, Adeline, Indigo, Madeline, Frida, Jennifer, Rachel, David, Dan, and moi!
Luminaria walk at Copp Family Farm last night, October 4th –
magic was indeed afoot!
yay Aarya, Anna, Grace, Adeline, Indigo, Madeline, Frida, Jennifer, Rachel, David, Dan, and moi!
Painting by Janvier Miller
Greetingsi!
I so look forward to seeing you all for our Closing Party for the show at the Hygienic,
which has featured work by Eva Leong, Gus and Jan Miller, Dan Potter, Marya Ursin,
on Thursday – 9/26 – from 4-6 pm.
The Hygienic Galleries is located at 79 Bank Street in New London.
Painting by Dan Potter
This is your last chance to see the show!
I shall be taking it down late afternoon on Saturday.
Painting by Eva Leong
I am planning on a panel discussion with the artists, and then a short poetry reading by Melanie Greenhouse, Lana Orphanides, and Dan Potter. This will run from 4:30 – 5:30, roughly, though we may begin a bit earlier, like 4:15, if we are so moved.
We’ll serve seltzer and cookies.
Sculpted figures by Gus Miller
Please come!
namaste, marya
Ceramic by Dan, painted by Marya
Show imagined, curated and hung by Marya Ursin
It happened!
We came, we opened our hearts and minds to dance and theatre and music, and the audience came to complete the circle.
I am in awe of the performers, and so very grateful to all for performing, watching and listening, coming to the egg, supporting one another.
It was a wonderful event.
Blessings on all.
The Dragon’s Egg Presents at University Settlement performance is on This Saturday, the 21st, at 2 pm ( in NYC) and promises to be a rich experience of dance, music, theatre!
Experience new worlds!
Give yourself time to get there, and be on time, as late entry may be tricky.
You can pre pay and reserve tickets with me, via cheque or pay pal :
https://paypal.me/dragonseggstudio
Or by cheque to the Mystic Paper Beasts, 8 Hancox, Stonington, Ct. 06378.
Thank you! xo Marya Ursin
Performers:
Alison Cook Beatty Company, Celestials, Stroller Scene, TINATA, Ara Fitzgerald, Haus of Glitter, Morgan Griffin, Anabella Lenzu, Catherine Messina, Garet Wierdsma, Andrea Ward.
stage manager: LD Kelley, lighting: Emma Rivera, film recording: Dan Potter
Producer/MC/organizer: Marya Ursin
Directions:
For the Dragon’s Egg Presents on Sept. 21, at 2 pm,
at University Settlement in NYC,
184 Eldridge St.
Here are the closest subway stops:
B/D to Grand Street
F to 2nd Avenue
6 to Spring Street (though this is the furthest “closest” stop)
Please come!! be in touch with Me for tickets: $15 pre paid reservations, $20 at the door.
xo m
Dragon’s Egg Presents!
at 2 pm at University Settlement, Speyer Hall, on September 21, 2024
184 Eldridge Street, NYC, NY 10002
All of the performers have been artists in residence at the Dragon’s Egg in the past years.
For more information about artistic residencies, and for the many activities of the Dragon’s Egg and of the Mystic Paper Beasts, please contact Marya Ursin at mybeasts@aol.com and visit the website: https:/dragonseggstudio.org
Programme for Dragon’s Egg Presents
“You Are Invited”
astral folk music by The Celestials: pre show and first bit
Clare Byrne, Amy Larimer, Nicholas Leichter
In Spite Of, Because Of…The Wallpaper
Choreography: Alison Cook-Beatty
Music: Jonathan Howard Katz:, No. 6
Dancers: Madelaine Burnett, Ioanna Ioannides, Ava Trochiano with
Tomislav Nevistić, Hannah Dillenbeck, Jacob Blank, and Gion Treichler
Set Designer: Daniel George Cook
Costumes: Ali Taghavi and Alison Cook-Beatty
Corporal Movement Coach: Steven Colluci
Premiered as a dance film in 2020, supported, in part, by the Dance/NYC Coronavirus Dance Relief Fund and premiered at Arts On Site in February 2024.
Fogata de amor (Fire of Love) by Anabella Lenzu/DanceDrama
The duet conjures memories of the mother-daughter relationship, youth, aging, and the passage of time. The dance is inspired by Argentinean folk dances La Samba y La chacarera.
Dancers: Fiamma Lenzu-Carroll & Anabella Lenzu
Music: Victor hereditary. Singer: Mercedes Sosa and Lila Downs.
(my battery is low) and it is getting dark (excerpt)
Choreographer: Catherine Messina, director of rogue wave
Dancers: JG Luijte, Mayu NakaYa, Catherine Messina, Emily Hoff, Aryanna Allen
Costuming and sound editing: Catherine Messina
Imposter Syndrome
Choreography by Garet Wierdsma
Music: Audio clips from Psych2Day, “Emerald and Stone” by Jon Hopkins, “An Aborted
Being” by Nils Fraham, “QY2” by Gem Club
Dancers: Kyleigh Olivier and Evie Sonda
“La Llorona” – a Mexican folk song performed in the style of Chavela Vargas
“Yo Soy Aquel” – written by Manuel Alvarez & Beigbeder Perez; performed in the style of Raphael
Excerpts from The Haus of Glitter
Vocalist and Piano: Matt Garza
Guitar: Avi David
Gown: John Cantu
Like Fire and Powder
Choreographed and performed by Morgan Griffin
Music by Sergei Prokofiev
Director: Corydon Wagner
Producers: Julia Lewis & Meg Murthy
DOP: Axel Ebermann
AC: Kyle Taylor
Editor: Aaron Himelstein
Color: Vladmir Kucherov
Graphics: Alrightnice
Made possible by a residency at Art Cake NYC.
Grasping for Gravity
From the series, “Two Women Talking”
Created and performed by Ara Fitzgerald and Martha Moore.
Developed through transatlantic zooms, this series began thanks to nudges
from Marya and the Dragon’s Egg.
We are thrilled to finally share gravity in the same space an time.
Bush Gardens
TINATA Brynne Billingsley/ Elizabeth Corbett/ Penny Freeh
Choreography, sets, costumes: TINATA
Music: Kate Bush, Vivaldi
In “Bush Gardens,” TINATA performs elements mined from the medieval “Distaff Gospels,” pop culture, and dance, in an ironic polyvocal collage.
Recital: A Dragon’s Egg Prayer
Created and performed by Stroller Scene:
Ashley Siflinger – Company Manager
Chris Diercksen – Artistic Director
Jen Diamond – Communications Manager
Percy Hornak – Literary Manager
Sam Walsh – Graphic Design/Marketing
Stage manager: LD Kelley
Recorder of the event: Dan Potter
Ticket takers: Aarya Tiwathia and friends
Lighting: Emma Rivera
Our next informal
Living Room Playreading, sponsored by the Mystic Paper Beasts,
will be on
Sunday afternoon, Sept. 15, from 2-5 pm,
at 8 Hancox, in Stonington.
We shall be reading British playwright Caryl Churchill’s play,
Cloud 9.
There are a number of characters, so let me know if you might be willing to read a part, or if you prefer to simply listen.
If taking a part, be sure you have read the play, and have a copy of it. I have four copies.
I shall serve tea, and seltzer, and something like banana bread. Keeping it simple. It is all about Reading the play together!
Thank you so much! RSVP
I am including here, below, a list/description of the characters.
namaste, marya
Cloud Nine
14 characters
Clive
The first act’s protagonist, Clive is the model British aristocrat, at least at first glance. He puts his duty to country above all else and expects those that depend on him to behave according to his will. Clive believes that sex-roles are clearly defined and refuses to accept otherwise, expecting his son Edward to be just as masculine as he is. Almost daily, Clive struggles to keep his family proper and intact. He is a racist who believes the African natives to be “savages” that can only be tamed by his firm British discipline. Although his principles may seem clear, Clive does engage in an affair with Mrs. Saunders, breaking the standard of fidelity that he tries to impose upon his wife Betty.
Betty
In the first act, Betty, played by a man, spends most of her time confused and incapable of making any decisions of her own. She relies totally upon her husband Clive to provide direction in her life. Betty does not, however, lack a sense of adventure. She dreams of a relationship with Harry, wondering what life might be like outside of her own. Betty remains caught between her duty to family and her yearning for romance. In Act II, a new Betty, played by a new actor, acquires a sense of independence and evolves into the play’s protagonist. This Betty is older, however, and prone to long-winded lectures and unsolicited comment. The new Betty finds independence intriguing, but frightening and her relationship to her children Victoria and Edward often seems to be the only thing to keep her sane.
Edward
At a young age, Edward (played by a woman in Act I) discovers a proclivity for feminine things and an attraction to other males. However, he keeps his yearnings in check for fear of upsetting his conservative father. These fears subside, but do not disappear as Edward grows up. The older Edward of Act II (played by a man) finds that he fits well into the role of mother and wife. He prefers steady companionship to promiscuity, but has difficulty asserting himself to get what he wants.
Victoria
Victoria, although unimportant to the first act (perhaps because she is played by a dummy) emerges as a central figure of the play in the second act. Like others in her family, Victoria is prone to dependence but has moments of self-reliance. Victoria is usually non-confrontational, preferring the role of peace- maker. She feels pain and uncertainty in her search for identity.
Harry Bagley
On the surface, Harry, a British explorer, represents British courage and discovery. However, Harry’s acclaim as an explorer masks a deviant sexual appetite. Harry’s presence, while seemingly harmless, begins to bring out the deep sexual leanings of the members of Clive’s family. Ultimately, Harry is as much a victim to his actions as the others. He sacrifices his freedom to avoid persecution for his sexuality.
Mrs. Saunders
Mrs. Saunders, a widow, exhibits a unique sovereignty in a world where women are expected to be dutiful mothers and wives. She is unafraid to wield her sexuality, and she demands respect from the men with whom she comes into contact. Mrs. Saunders has a sense of justice and does not readily accept British tradition and the habits of colonialists.
Lin
Lin is a brash lesbian, unafraid to let others know where she stands. Nevertheless, beneath her combativeness, Lin is hurt and uncertain about her ability to be a good mother. She is crass and stubborn at first, but does allow those whom she cares about to get below the surface.
Martin
Sex-obsessed Martin likes to think aloud, working out his relationship to wife Victoria in long speeches. Martin often feels incompetent and frustrates himself by over-thinking his sex life. He demonstrates a tendency to think for others, which can offend those with whom he comes into contact. Martin does have a giving side, which he demonstrates in his relationship to Lin’s daughter Cathy and his own son Tommy.
Ellen
Ellen, Edward’s governess, possesses a strong sense of duty to Clive’s family. She is also dependent upon them and afraid of being sent away. Ellen, too, is working out her sexuality, and nervously tests her attraction to Betty at times. Ultimately, Ellen cannot reconcile her desires with her lot in life, and thus remains unhappy.
Gerry
A promiscuous homosexual, Gerry has trouble staying in any one place for too long. His relationships fail because of his distaste for commitment. Gerry would like companionship but is reluctant to give up his freedoms.
Joshua
Honest, reliable and dutiful, Joshua appears to be the perfect servant. He betrays his people to be with Clive. Underneath Joshua’s loyalty, however, anger ferments. He is loyal only for personal gain, and his loyalty stops when his real family is threatened.
Cathy
Cathy, a five year old girl played by a man, is not exactly normal, to say the least. For her age, Cathy has a remarkable knowledge of inappropriate words and phrases. She seems to harbor aggression, making her susceptible to occasional outbursts. Her disposition derives, in part, from her fear that her mother Lin will leave her. Cathy’s desire to fit in drives most of her actions throughout Act II.
Maud
Always a traditionalist, Maud encourages the women around her to behave as she does. She has a penchant for crankiness when her relatives fall out of line, insisting, “she knows best.” Maud adheres to the notion that women are meant to serve and honor their husbands by taking care of the home. She is a well- intentioned mother and grandmother, but her values seem outdated as her guidance often falls upon deaf ears.
Tommy
Victoria’s son.
Yes! We are doing the concert in NYC, Dragon’s Egg Presents!
NYC: 9/21/2024, at 2:00 pm:
Dragon’s Egg Presents!
at University Settlement, 184 Eldridge, NYC, 10002.
Tickets $15; at the door: $20.
Contact mybeasts@aol.com for tickets/reservation.
Performers: Alison Cook Beatty, Clare Byrne (Celestials),
Stroller Scene, TINATA, Ara Fitzgerald, Haus of Glitter, Morgan Griffin,
Anabella Lenzu, Catherine Messina, Garet Wierdsma, Andrea Ward,
With LD Kelley as the Stage Manager, Marya as MC/organizer.
We showcase various of the dancers/companies who have been in recent* residence at the Egg at this concert.
*Recent, these days, means Before The Fire! which was on March 24th, 2024.
Reservations are highly recommended – the last two years we have been sold out.
Tickets, pre paid, are 15. At the door, they will be $20.
These can be ordered from me, Marya, at mybeasts@aol.com,
and then a cheque from you can be sent to me at
Mystic Paper Beasts at 8 Hancox Street, Stonington, Ct. 06378
Any reserved tickets are only considered so if they have been pre paid by cheque
(easiest for me to keep track of).
Pay pal is possible, but less reliable for me to keep track of, I found.
https://paypal.me/dragonseggstudio
Any reservations need to have been received by me by mail or via PayPal
by Thursday, Sept. 19.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Xo namaste, marya
Just a head’s up:
Dragon’s Egg Presents at University Settlement, NYC, a concert of past Egg residents,
will be on Saturday, September 21, at 2 pm.
Tickets can be reserved and paid for via email to Marya,
Our first living room informal play reading (with tea and such) will be on
Saturday, July 20th, from 2-5.
This play has 7 characters, and the stage direction reader. The possible assignments are below…
I have four copies.
Hopefully some of you may get copies for yourselves! We need 7 copies.
stage directions reader: Kato McNickle
Gordon, a dead man Milt Angelopoulos
Jean, a woman Jessica Cerullo
The Other Woman/The Stranger Jane Pearson
Hermia, Gordon’s widow Meg Lyons. Confirmed, may leave early
Mrs. Gottlieb, Gordon’s mother Sandy Laub
Dwight, Gordon’s brother Christie Williams
I look forward to seeing you!!
Our Next time I anticipate having on August 18
On that day, we shall read Cloud 9 by Caryl Churchill – with many characters, lots of cross gender casting, and some repeated casting Act 1 to Act 2, in different times.
Please let me know if you are able to be a part of this second date, as well! and if the 18th works for you, 2-5 pm.
I am looking at Sept 15th for our next play reading date. Might that work for you?
xo marya
As you probably know, the Beast Barn burned to the ground on
3/24. The Egg was severely damaged, and will be closed
through spring 2025. Meanwhile, Marya will be performing,
Beasts will be roving; we shall have monthly living room
play readings, and local and online events.
8/31-9/28: Hygienic Art, 79 Bank St., New London, Ct.
Work by Eva Leong, Gus Miller, Janvier Miller, and Dan Potter,
Curated by Marya. Opening: 8/31: 6-9 pm
NYC: 9/21/2024, at 2:00 pm: Dragon’s Egg Presents!
at University Settlement, 184 Eldridge, NYC, 10002.
Tickets $20; Contact mybeasts@aol.com for tickets/reservation.
Performers: Alison Cook Beatty, Clare Byrne (Celestials),
Stroller Scene, TINATA, Ara Fitzgerald, Haus of Glitter, Morgan Griffin,
Anabella Lenzu, Catherine Messina, Garet Wierdsma, Andrea Ward,
With LD Kelley as the Stage Manager, Marya as MC/organizer.
For information regarding the Egg,
or to book a performance by the Mystic Paper Beasts,
please contact Marya: mybeasts@aol.com
Credit: painting by Gustaf Miller, 2023