"CO-LABORATORY" PERFORMING ARTS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Presented by: Great Leap
Facilitator: Dan Kwong, with special guest artists
Cost: Free to participants (competitive selection process)
Workshops: Wednesdays from 7-10PM and Saturdays from
12-4PM, starting June 11, 2005
Final Performances: Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2005

Great Leap is pleased to announce "Co-Lab", a free 8-week multidisciplinary performing arts mentorship program for emerging artists of color in Los Angeles. Facilitated by renowned multimedia performance artist Dan Kwong, this exciting program will train and mentor artists in the creation, development and presentation of cross-cultural collaborative performances in addition to developing leadership skills. Co-Lab will be unique in that participants will also experience field trips to culturally significant locations in the Los Angeles area, entering each others communities and relating artistic practice to community relationships.

Six participants will be selected for Round I. (see below for application instructions) Emerging artists of color in theater, dance, music, spoken word & poetry are encouraged to apply.

Twelve workshop sessions led by Kwong and various guest artists and mentors will cover topics such as: story research and development; vocal and movement improvisation; use of props and visual elements for the stage; dramaturgical/directorial activities and exercises; technical production; critical theory and practice; community-building philosophy and strategies; leadership & communication skills; administrative production.

As pioneers in the multicultural performing arts world, Great Leap's veteran artists will pass on their legacy and experience working with diverse communities to nurture a new generation of multicultural artist/leaders. The program culminates with performances in community-based venues in Los Angeles County, free to the public. In addition, participating artists receive a small honorarium for their performances.

As a result of their participation in Co-Lab, emerging artists may also have opportunities to be cast in Great Leap's national touring productions, and to co-facilitate future residency projects.

Co-Lab is free to participants; therefore the selection process will be highly competitive.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Application form (PDF file) can be downloaded at www.greatleap.org/uploads/colabapp.pdf. Selection is based on artistic excellence, interest in and potential for: cross-cultural and multidisciplinary collaboration, community-based art, positive and engaged relationships with local communities of color.

Send completed application form with resume plus work
samples on VHS or DVD (preferred) to:
Great Leap Inc.
1145 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100-D
Los Angeles, CA, 90017
attn: Co-Lab

Application deadline: Sunday, May 15th (FIRM) Contact Phloe Pontaoe 213-250-8800 or booking@greatleap.org for more information.

Dan Kwong (Project Director) is a solo multimedia performance artist whose work combines autobiographical stories with cultural history, exploring the many facets of socialized identity. Touring since 1989, he has performed his solo work all across the U.S. and in Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, Canada, Mexico and England. He has participated in international collaborations in Indonesia, Laos and Cambodia. Kwong also leads workshops nationally and internationally on autobiographical writing and performing. His first book, "FROM INNER WORLDS TO OUTER SPACE: The Multimedia Performances of Dan Kwong," has been published by University of Michigan Press.

Great Leap is a Los Angeles-based multicultural, multidisciplinary performing arts organization whose mission is the creation and presentation of original works in theater, music and dance. Our work is rooted in the fundamental premise that art is a critical tool in the building, deepening and healing of community relations. Founded in 1978 by Artistic Director Nobuko Miyamoto, Great Leap uses performances, community-based residencies and workshops to promote cross-cultural understanding to local and national audiences.