David Gaines is not only fond of producing works in which he is a performer. He has also been asked on a number of occasions to develop and direct performance works for other actors and companies. These have been successful not only in that they produced works that audiences enjoy, but also because the process through which Mr. Gaines directs is a collaborative one, which leaves the actors feeling that they have participated with their whole imaginations in the writing of the play.
To these these writing/devising/directing collaborations, Mr. Gaines brings:
Expertise
Experience
...and Enthusiasm for the task.
With professional companies:
"Schnick - Schnack" - YBY Theatre,
Salzburg, Austria (2006)
A clown play inspired by the written work of Daniel Charms and 2-dimensionality
of Toy Theatre of the turn of the last century. An exploration of how
to create a world of play out of your own imagination, and the value and place
of other people in a meaningful life.
"Durch Dick und Dunn" - YBY Theatre,
Salzburg, Austria (2000)
A Maestro’s servant (clown) and a double bass run away together in this road-trip
buddy story of overcoming fear of the unknown, reaching for your dreams and
the dynamics of friendship between two different beings. Mime and imagination
bring the audience through vertiginous mountain cliff-slides, a tempest at sea,
and the cold of homelessness on a New York City street, before culminating in
a spectacular rap and funky bass concert at Carnegie Hall.
"Lonesome Tonight?" - Nottingham
Playhouse, U.K. (1990)
A full-mask piece about social acceptance and the difficult social dance of
desirability.
"Obsessions" - Theatre du Parti-Pris,
Paris (1990)
A simple comic piece, developed on the theme of people’s obsessive or idiosyncratic
behavior, for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
"Office Suite" - Extemporary Dance
Company, London (1985)
A piece devised with a professional modern dance company on the theme of office
behavior and intrigue. Non actors were brought to a point of acting subtly,
with believability and joy.
"Handle With Care" - Moving Picture
Mime Show, London, U.K. (1983)
(Full mask performance) Two old men in an old folks’ home, managed by
an officious but well-meaning nurse. Cartoonish hijinx, comically apoplectic
situations, a sublime moment of bygone memories shared, and, in the end, a farcical
chase, and a tender goodbye.
"The Seven Samurai" - Moving Picture
Mime Show, London, U.K. (1978)
Three actors retell in 40 minutes the whole of Kurosawa’s four hour epic film
of the same name. Using mime, jump-cut storytelling, and cartoonish exaggeration,
the piece is full of idiotic clowning, impossibly skilled samurai, cast-of-thousands
battle scenes, and breathtaking imagery.
With college or graduate actors:
"Social Issues Projects" - UMKC Graduate
Actor Training Program (1995-99)
4 short plays (1 each year) researched by talking with and shadowing high school
at-risk kids, and devised to address the social issues that matter in their
lives. One week research, two weeks development and rehearsal (4 hours/day)
leading up to performances before the kids and their schoolmates. The
schools were so happy with it they funded the program.
"Sophie's Voice" - Dell'Arte
Theatre School; Blue Lake, CA (1993)
Aliens land in the back yard, befriending a retiring teen-age girl who discovers
her ability to speak up for herself and others when she is caught between her
bumbling clownish family and a xenophobic military bent on destroying the aliens.
In style, somewhere between “E.T”, “Invaders from Mars”, and “The Incredibles”.
"Gender Dance" - Towson
University, Baltimore, MD (1991)
A short movement piece exploring gender issues, in a poignant but comedic way.
"Out of the Jam" - Berkshire
Theatre Festival, MA (1991)
A performance created with teenagers on the theme of dealing with problems,
challenges, and obstacles.
TED SWETZ
Head of Professional Actor Training Program
University of Missouri – Kansas City
4949 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 235-5207
KAREN McCARTY
Artistic Director
Healthy Humor Inc.
17 State Street; Suite 4000
New York, New York 10004
(212) 739-0494
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