I’ve been involved with a project called Nascent Collage for roughly about 2 years now. There are three of us involved: Mary-Anne Pennington and Natalia Wilkoszewska. It’s how I met illustrator Natalia who I’ve worked with on Simone and our newly started project, David. Nascent Collage is something that’s been bubbling under the surface as it’s more of a longer project which will result in a book. You can find out more about my co-collaborators on the blog: http://nascentcollage.wordpress.com/
Nascent Collage is about recapturing the stories of childbirth and making them more than just a time and a location. Sharing these stories allows us to engage with the concept of motherhood as not only an individual experience, but a universal connection. By illuminating the diverse cultural stories in one collection we’re allowing our stories to carry on being told and remembered. Unlike other childbirth books and projects, our focus is on the emotional response rather than the scientific. We’re listening to mothers tell us their stories and passing them on to other mothers around the world.
The book will be a collection of stories from around the world and each will have their own illustration. We’re in the process of collating stories from all over the world so we can capture as many different cultures and experiences of birth as we can. This is where we’re asking you if you can help. Are you a mother reading this that would like to take part? Do you know of anyone who would be willing to share their story with us? We’re after the further flung places rather than in the UK at the moment. We’ve got a brilliant story from a woman who was a surrogate mother for a gay couple who has written a letter to her daughter. We’ve also covered Russia, some areas of the US and are in the process of securing a story from Africa.
Our goal is to create and publish the collection as a book. If anyone would like to offer their services with regards to that or lend their support we would happily listen and welcome your thoughts.
For an example of a story and matching illustration please click here.
Our Objectives
- To connect people by providing a collection of intimate stories that detail the one unique primary event each human shares in common.
- To illuminate the diversity of different backgrounds and cultures with a collection of stories from around the world.
- To provide the opportunity for people to appreciate the uniqueness of each birth.
Our Unique selling proposition
Unlike other childbirth books and projects, our focus is on the emotional and whimsical aspects as opposed to the scientific and physical. It is our humanity that makes us equal and yet unique, and there is nothing so human as being born. Listening to mothers tell the beginning of our stories is an out of body experience that allows us to see something that carries absolute value regardless of what we believe or know about it. By collecting stories from around the world we are providing an opportunity for people to connect worldwide in an emotional and personal way.
I’m not a mother myself, but I do think the conversation of how we came to be very important. No matter how old you are, you are always someone’s child. If you think you can help out please contact us on the blog: http://nascentcollage.wordpress.com/contact/
Can You Spare a Story For Nascent Collage? February 18, 2012
Brightest And Best February 9, 2012
I’ve always admired the stamina of other people in my industry through all the different sectors. One of those incredibly busy folks is that of Natalie Ibu. Whilst exposing New York to her directing talents she was also preparing for her next project, Brightest And Best, over here.
We Were Here and pilotLIGHT Theatre present the premiere of Brightest And Best. Written by Papatango New Writing Competition 2011 Runner Up, Matthew Morrison – this is a play about how we get trapped by the choices we make, how education prepares us for life and how it screws us up. Brightest and Best follows management consultant Rob as he decides it’s time to make a difference, only his new start might be the beginning of the end.
Natalie writes about meeting playwright Matthew Morrison…
“We met in 2009 and have developed a creative relationship, which started with Brightest and Best and has encompassed work for The Gate and The Old Vic Tunnels. With Brightest and Best, I was struck by the potency of the tale juxtaposed with the delicacy with which he weaves it. I remember thinking, ‘how do you create a live nose bleed on stage? I want to find out. I want to direct this play’ and three years later, here I am about to find out. I strongly believe that our only responsibility is to be truthful, authentic and committed to the work. To make things for and with each other. The rest – the breaks and the powers that be – will come, because they always do. So we’re doing it by ourselves and the rest will catch up with us.”
I for one will be going to see this. And I think you should too…
15th Feb – 10th March
8pm (Sunday matinees at 5pm)
The Half Moon, Herne Hill
£12/£8
Box Of Tricks Are Moving (@bottc) February 4, 2012
It’s true. The thespian duo Box Of Tricks are moving… To Manchester to create more thespian goodness! But before they leave they’re throwing a party at The Yard in Hackney Wick and tickets are free, but do register for them otherwise they may all go before you turn up, just saying… It’s going to be rammed with new writing from voices past, voices present and future ones too so everywhere you turn you’ll be reminded of what great stuff we’ve got going on thanks to these guys.
Both Hannah and Adam have asked playwrights they’ve worked with before or would like to, to write a one page play using a starting word given to them which was either ‘Today‘, ‘Tomorrow‘ or ‘Yesterday‘. Some of the other playwrights include *ahem* Kenneth Emson, Daniel Kanaber, Hannah Nicklin, Elinor Cook, Siân Owen, Natasha James, Luke Barnes, Ross Armstrong, Jaki McCarrick, Michael Crowley, Catherine O’Shea, Hannah Mulder, Jai Rajani, Katie McCullough, Tom Morton Smith, Sarah Speak, Omar El-Khairy, Jon Brittain and Declan Feenan. As you can see, I was lucky enough to be asked to do such a thing and got given my word of ‘Tomorrow‘. Having never written a one page play before it gave me a neat challenge. But one that I thoroughly enjoyed and am really looking forward to seeing on its feet. My one page play is about those decisions we promise to stick to the night before we fall asleep, but do we all stick to them? One decision’s about what someone thinks is love and the other is about jacking it all in and running away. I’m well excited about the night as a whole and I can’t think of a better way to send these two off before they head oop Naaaarth.
It’s been an absolute pleasure working with these guys and they’ve helped me a lot with more things than they realise. They are two of the most passionate people I know who want to explore theatre for all it’s worth and meet more people in the doing. Love it. Niceness. Here’s to working with them again in the not so distant future. See you there!
FREE (but register for tickets, limited numbers!)
