One of the amazing side benefits of working with Shaping Sound was my chance to reconnect with Our Lady J. She also moved from New York in the relatively recent past and used to work with Steven at Rosie's. She's also one of the best live performers I've ever seen. Her concerts are truly something special and I don't know any musician like her.
That's an all around statement, in fact. I don't know anyone like her at all, ever. Period. She has a breathtaking version of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," which Jaimie and Teddy dance to in Shaping Sound and I used the track in my favorite promo video.
Her fans have been clamoring for a studio album for years and now we're finally getting one! (As long as everything goes according to plan. And that's where you come in.) She's raising money on indiegogo to do this thing RIGHT. And by right, I mean, ON PINK VINYL!! AH!!!!! I want one so bad I can't stand it!!
There are also a million other cool things you get when you donate-- like a makeover from Lady J (also, I want.) and boob art!!
I just came from lunch with the Lady herself and I am so inspired. I think she's going to teach me a lot about being a woman.
Check out everyone else who's been inspired and lending a hand to help this amazing piece of work come to you! This video is star-studded to say the least. (And she was sweet enough to use a section of my video in the video as well.)
Help fund Picture of a Man here.
I was at this show:
Before Shaping Sound officially opens tonight, I want to take a minute to talk about the richness of what this experience has given me and what spending 5 weeks with a group of dancers like them has taught me.
I've always known that fundamentally, I lead a cerebral life. I'm a writer. I'm mostly by myself. And if you asked where life exists, I'd easily be able to answer that life happens in the brain; in my mind. I barely use my body. In many ways, I'm uncomfortable in it. But at the very least, I largely see it as the vessel which stores and facilitates my mind. (Special thanks to hands and fingers for the typing skills.)
I don't live in my body. In fact, I rarely even experience physical contact with other people. But these guys... man. These guys. They live so fully in their bodies. In every way. The way they relate to each other, to the world. The hugs I've gotten these past weeks.
And more than being inspired by the work they do-- truly one of the most beautiful things I've seen on stage, in 10 years of working in live entertainment-- they have inspired me to be aware of how I live in my body. And to live in it. Get out of my head and into the physical space I'm lucky enough to occupy with those 16 ethereal, funny, drastic, precise, beautiful beings.
More thanks than I can say, guys. For the lessons, for letting me be a part of it-- one of the best professional and artistic experiences of my career. I'm utterly invested in your success.
A lot of my work with Shaping Sound has been focused on the four co-director boys, but it's time I give a shout out to at least one of the ladies. They are all beautiful and amazingly talented. Last night provides an apt opportunity to show off the leading lady of Shaping Sound, Jaimie Goodwin. The entire tour show is based on the idea of Jaimie's dream. But last night, she danced in a crazy, topsy-turvy world with Derek Hough on Dancing With the Stars to Kerli's song, "Walking on Air."
Le Sigh. So good. Happy hump day.
Now that I watch dancers all day, I feel like I'm extra tuned in to other dance stuff going on anywhere in my immediate or even peripheral vicinity. My friend from grad school, Tara, is working for the Scottish Ballet in Glasgow. I sure wish I were still in Scotland to see this crazy/intriguing Matthew Bourne production-- an update of a Danish piece La Syphide, but with "a wickedly wry Scottish twist."
Reviews have been pretty stellar. It concludes its Glasgow run today and goes on tour. Doubtful they'll tour as far as Los Angeles though. ;)
Hey! What a busy week! Here's my latest video for Shaping Sound. This one is extra fun since it features the hot dance track by Haviland, "MKE: Maximum Energy." Check it out and don't forget to get your tickets!
Here's some of what I've been working hard on the past few weeks. It's been so inspirational to watch this tour come together so far-- to see the hard work and creative energy put into something that I think will really amaze audiences. It's been nice to make these new friends.
The first (of seven) videos I'll be doing documenting the tour got 3,000 hits in the first 24 hours it was up and the numbers keep climbing. This group of dancers deserves as many fans as the internet and theatres can accomodate. Stay with us as we keep moving forward towards their first National Tour!
Get tickets here! And join the conversation on twitter with #shapingsoundco. Don't forget to follow, either @shapingsoundco
After a week spent in a fictional revolution, in chaos, in shock, in the air, in rehearsals, in awe, in despair, in gratitude, I am returning to this song, which is one of my favorite numbers from the upcoming Shaping Sound tour. Watching dancers apply energy to this. I wish you could see what I've seen all week. Soon you will. This is how I feel about this week. Get it all out.
My only real frame of reference about dance is Broadway centered, but I know a good many of you have been quite obsessed with So You Think You Can Dance. If you put that all together, you might enjoy the lads of Shaping Sound Dance Company. At its core, Shaping Sound is four guys comprised of So You Think winners, runners up, choreographers, improv specialists and classically trained folks. (I'll let you guess who is who.)
Well, they're going on a multi-city National Tour and the fabulous Nikole Vallins is producing. Yours truly over here will be shooting, producing, editing a series of promo videos tracking their rehearsal process and life on the road. Fun gig, right?
Yesterday, I was climbing to the top of book cases to get cool angles on their unbelievable routines. As someone with barely enough coordination to keep my feet moving forward without tripping every day, let's just say I was extremely jealous.
The guys are super funny, with loads of personality (also, dimples, if you're into that kind of thing) and I think it goes without saying, TALENT. On top of all that, what a group of gents! They helped me retain a small shred of grace as I climbed and got down from my furniture perch. Chivalry is not dead, apparently.
Here is the first video I did announcing the tour with adorable Nick Lazzarini, Travis Wall, Teddy Forance, and Kyle Robinson.
Check out the dates for their tour here. And follow them on twitter: @shapingsoundco
